The Plattsburg Manual.
by O.O. Ellis and E.B. Garey.
PREFACE
This book is intended to serve as a foundation upon which the military beginner may build so that he may in time be able to study the technical service manuals intelligently. It has been written as an elementary textbook for those who desire to become Reserve Officers, for schools and colleges, and for those who may be called to the colors.
The authors have commanded companies at Plattsburg, New York, and, noting the need of such a text, compiled their observations while there.
The average man undergoing military training wants to know as much as possible about the art and science of war. He wants to acquire a good knowledge of the principles involved. He is interested in the technique of movements. He is willing to work for these things, but he often becomes lost in confusion when he attempts to study the technical service manuals. He does not know how to select the most important and omit the less important. The authors have selected from the standard texts some of the vitally important subjects and principles and have presented them to the civilian in a simple and plain way.
The first part of the text is for the beginner. It tells him how to prepare physically for strenuous military work. After a.s.sisting him through the elementary part of his instruction, it presents for his consideration and study the Officers" Reserve Corps.
The second part, or supplement, is a more technical discussion of those subjects introduced in the first. It is intended princ.i.p.ally for those who have made excellent progress.
CHAPTER I
GENERAL ADVICE
The United States is divided geographically into military departments with a general officer commanding each department. The departments and their headquarters are as follows:
(1) The Northeastern Department, with headquarters at Boston, Ma.s.sachusetts.
(2) The Eastern Department, with headquarters at Governors Island, New York.
(3) The Southeastern Department, with Headquarters at Charleston, South Carolina.
(4) The Central Department, with Headquarters at Chicago, Illinois.
(5) The Southern Department, with Headquarters at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
(6) The Western Department, with Headquarters at San Francisco, California.
Overseas { (7) The Philippine Department, with Headquarters at Departments { Manila.
{ { (8) The Hawaiian Department, Departments with { Headquarters at Honolulu, Hawaii.
(For States comprising each department, see Appendix)
If you are a civilian and desire any information in regard to the army, any training camps, the officers" reserve corps, or any military legislation or orders affecting you, write to the "Commanding General"
of the Department in which you live. Address your letter to him at his headquarters.
MAIL
Mail is most often delayed because there is not sufficient information for the Postmaster on the envelope. The delivery of your mail will be delayed unless your letters are sent to the company and the regiment to which you belong. Therefore, prepare, before you reach camp, several stamped postal cards, addressed to your family and business a.s.sociates, containing directions to address all communications to you care of Company----, Regiment----. As soon as you are a.s.signed to a company and regiment, fill in these data and mail these postal cards at once. This should be done by wire in case important mail is expected during the first week of camp. Mail is delivered to each company as soon as a complete roll of the organizations can be made out and sent to the post-office.
INOCULATIONS AND VACCINATION
As soon as you become a member of the army, whether as a private or as an officer, you will receive the typhoid prophylaxis inoculation and be vaccinated against smallpox.
WHAT TO BRING
1. Travel light. Bring only the bare necessities of life with you.
Don"t bring a trunk. Enlisted men (not officers) will be supplied with all necessary uniforms and underwear. This includes shoes.
2. Bring a pair of sneakers, or slippers. They will add greatly to your comfort after a long march or hard day"s work. A complete bathing suit often comes in handy.
3. Report in uniform if you have one.
4. The Government will provide you with the necessary shoes.
However, if you can afford it, buy before you report for duty, a pair of regulation tan shoes, larger than you ordinarily wear, and break them in well before arrival. Rubber heels are recommended.
5. Bring your toilet articles (comb, brush, mirror shaving equipment, etc.), and a good supply of handkerchiefs, and towels.
WHAT TO DO ON YOUR ARRIVAL
There is a general rule of procedure to follow in reporting for duty at any post or training camp.
1. If you receive an order directing you to report for duty at a camp or post at a certain specified time, read it carefully, put it in a secure place, and, on the day that you are to report for duty at the camp or post, present yourself in uniform, if you have one, with your order. Be careful not to lose your order or leave it at home. Have it in your pocket book.
2. Upon being a.s.signed to a company, unless you receive orders to the contrary, report at once with your baggage to your company commander (captain), whom you can easily find when you reach your barracks or company street. If you cannot locate your company commander, report to the first sergeant.
3. It is a custom of the service to have an experienced soldier explain to a new man exactly where he is to go and what he is to do.
Feel no embarra.s.sment at being ignorant of your new duties and surroundings. The Government does not expect anything of you except eagerness to learn and willingness to obey.
4. After reporting to your company commander or first sergeant, you will have a bed a.s.signed to you and you will be issued the property and uniforms necessary to your comfort and duties. Check your property carefully as it is issued to you. You will have to sign for all of it. Look after your property at all times.
5. After checking your property, make up your bed and arrange neatly your personal and issued property on or under your bed or cot.
6. Spend all your spare time cleaning your rifle and bayonet until they satisfy your company commander. Then keep them clean.