US Army Infantry School - Doughboy Yearbook (Fort Benning, GA)

Page 55 text:

In v-1-r A ii -s f . A 5'--ye V1 x l. -:A I 4fdi. of 'ig 3, fl' 'NY - 1 N gk For tests or demonstrations that involve the use of troops the Commanding Officer of the proper demonstration troops is consulted and arrangements are made through him for the necessary cooperation. Questions pertaining to Infantry Organization, training and tactics are, as a rule, referred through the Assistant Commandant to the proper depart- ment of the Infantry School for the views and recommendations of the appro- priate departments of the school. These opinions are reviewed in the office of the Assistant Commandant to insure coordination before return to the Infantry Board. Minor questions are covered by informal conference of the Working member of the board with such instructor specialists as may have special knowledge of the subject under investigation. During the progress of the tests or while awaiting comments from the school or other sources the member in charge makes such other study of the subject as is practicable. On receipt of the Report of Test and such other opinions as may have been requested, the study is completed. A tentative report for the action of the entire board is then drawn up in which are given a brief statement of the subject, a statement of the salient facts in the case, and a statement of the opinions of the board with appropriate conclusions and recommendations. Regular meetings of the board are held every Tuesday. In addition to the regular members of the board the Director of the Department of Experi- ment and the Commanding Officer of the 29th Infantry are always present at these meetings. As a rule specialists in the subjects to be considered are also present at the meeting to give the full board such information as the members may desire. After approval or modification by the full board the papers including Report of Test, if any, are forwarded to the Chief of In- fantry. The presence of the Commandant and the Assistant Commandant of the Infantry School on the Infantry Board insures that there will be coordination between the work of the board and that of the Infantry School. Personnel of the Infantry School is kept informed of such recommendations of the Infantry Board as may interest them and also of such action as may be taken on these recommendations by higher authority. The number of projects before the board naturally varies but usually it averages between 40 and 50 projects on the live file. Some of these involve test or investigation that require several months. A few of the projects now I ft GIF L Y ,J -, -I2 -f-S 5 4 , S Q I S P. lx, 1,5-x iq-- mit I

Page 54 text:

Jr. Yi , I 'me 'Ii ' :.:. 'J . gpm- -i- O' XQ QIBZ4 nouenaov C11.ut,xc1'l'1f11: or 'rm-3 witlllli ,nn Nl l'1'l'll0D or lix1c4:u'1'IoN All of the projects that are submitted to the Infantry Board or that are originated by it may be grouped under one of the following heads: Qaj Infantry material-arms, ammunition, clothing, equipment, rations, transport, etc. Cbj Infantry training and tactics. Qcj Infantry Organization. Cdl Miscellaneous-such as work in connection with mobilization projects, review of Training Regulations of other arms in which Infantry would be interested, etc. When a project is received it is assigned to one of the working members of the board for consideration and study. If it is an ordnance project involv- ing technical questions of design or manufacture it is assigned to the Ordnance member or to an Infantry working member to work in conjunction with the Ordnance member. On receipt of the project the working member makes an initial survey to determine what is neccessary for a proper investigation and report on the subject. This includes an examination of all pertinent matters on file in the Infantry Board office or that may accompany papers referred to the Board. From this study the member determines, whether tests are necessary and their general character, whether the subject is one on which the ideas of the appropriate department of the Infantry School should be obtained, whether the use of demonstration troops will be necessary or whether or not the opin- ions of officers on duty with the school troops or as student officers at the school will assist. Appropriate action is taken to secure the cooperation of such of the above as may be appropriate in order that the data on which the study is based may be as complete as possible. Questions pertaining to material involve as a rule a test. Practically all of the tests of the Board are. made by the Department of Experiment under the supervision of the Infantry Board. The Department of Experiment is a branch of the Infantry School but the bulk of its work is done for and under supervision of the Infantry Board. The member of the board in charge of a project attends such part of the tests as may be practicable and certain phases of the more important tests are attended if possible by the entire board. a Q W e '? WWE? ,g-'W ii A Inv

Page 56 text:

J 2. i -N' .sal 35 X 924 DOUETIHOY A before or recently handled by the board are listed to show the general type. 1. Reduction of load carried by the Infantry soldier CSee Major Max B. Garber's article in February, 1924 Infantry journal on this sub- jectj 2. Improved Tripod for Browning Machine Gun, Caliber .30, involving New mechanical traversing mechanism with click detent of one mil and other improvements. 3. Study of Infantry Organization, involving all infantry organizations to and including the brigade. 4. Auto weapons test-will include all present caliber .30 weapons, also Garand and Thompson auto-loading rifles and will involve an expenditure of over 300,000 rounds of ammunition. 5. Communication Carts-One has been improvised by modifying a machine gun cart and attaching the RL-16 wire cart as trailer, all to be drawn by one mule. SERVICE COOPERATION As the studies and investigations made by the board cover such a broad field, it is manifest that the board can not perform its functions with the desired efficiency except by effective cooperation on the part of all Infantry- men. At Fort Benning the board has available for consultation a large number of officers of varied experience in the faculty and student body of the Infantry School and among the commissioned personnel on duty with the school troops. This personnel includes a large number of officers who have been selected for their expert knowledge or special qualifications for the work on which they are engaged. The Infantry Board takes full advantage of the opportunities for consultation, advice and valuable cooperation thus made possible. The assistance of all these agencies has always been of material aid to the board in preparing its recommendations or conclusions. The board encourages and Welcomes suggestions from any person fofficer, enlisted man or civilianj who is interested in the Infantry. Much valuable assistance has been received from these sources in the past that has been highly appreciated by the board. All officers may be assured that any proposals submitted will receive careful thought and consideration and whether your ideas are adopted or not, recommendations will be made that proper notations be made on your military record and official recognition 'Wg pgs? 111 5' 21 9 gg -6 W 5 , . r. p ls, vi? 46- A ill