YOUTH AND ARMS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1164, 27 June 1911, Page 6

YOUTH AND ARMS.

. &- ——■ OUR CITIZEN DEFENDERS. TRAINING AND DISCIPLINE. FOREWORD BY COLONEL HEARD. Tho youth of our new New Zealand Citizen Army, having been duly numbered and scheduled, will shortly be given uniforms and posted to their regiments. About (he end of September various instriic'tors will take them in hand and make soldiers of them. How is this to bo done? In a general way this is explained in a memorandum on training which has been written by Colonel E. S. Heard (Imperial General Staff). Director of Military Training and Flaff Duties on the Now Zealand General Staff, for tho information of all concerned. "Tho efficiency of an army," he says, "has its foundation oh the bed-rock of elementary training, otherwise." the instruction is not progressive, the' ultimate results aro disappointing, and may in time of stress bring about a disaster more far-reaching in its' effects than may bo jnticipated in times of peace. We have to keep this all-iuiportaut fact in view— that the underlying intention of tho peace training of an army is the ultimate object, if the necessity arises, of bringing it into the field in such' a state of efficiency, in organisation, training, ct«., as may lead to tlia certain hope that its operation will be successfully carried out and its victory over an enemy insured. This is perhaps a well-worn platitude, but, unfortunately, it is too often lost sight of, and therefore can bear repetition. Of this fact there can bo no doubtthat where a country contemplates hostile operations against another, the former will think twice before, embarking on them if the latter is in a high state of efficiency as regards tho personnel and material composing . its forces. Officers and non-comraiisioned officers and men must now understand that the task they are aliout ,to undortake is serious, and one worthy e-f their best endeavours. If it is the ambition of all to reach a state of high efficiency, their work of necessity must be strenuous. The Watchword—Discipline. ( "The question of discipline is suppostd to be a serious and a difficult one —why, it cannot be conceived. It is an obvious fact that no organisation, whether civil or military, and especially the latter, can exist in an efficient state without discipline. To descend to men's recreations: no tevn at any game -can hone for success in a match unless it is Killine to submit itself to that necessary discipline enforced by those responsible for the management of that team in its efforts for success. So, as regards a body of men organised as a force intended to take part, if necessary, in tho defence of their country, .they must be willing to submit themselves" to the discipline enforced by those under whose command they find themselves. But since tho defence of one's country is of tho highest importance, and tho nttainment of success in this is paramount, so the necessity for discipline in the forocs of one's country by far transcends that in a business concern or a mere matter of games. It is believed that submission to disciplino will be an easy inotter whra its necessity is recognised, as' it must lie. but success in its enforcement will depend on the manner in which it is done. Tact and courtesy go hand-in-hand to strengthen command. Firmness of character, self-respect, and confidence in one's powers always obtain respect and obedience from one's subordinates. If officers take an interest, as it is their duty to do, in the welfare and comfort of their men they will gain their esteem and will bo looked up to as they should' be. Tho lessons of discipline are the first that should bo inculcated in the recruit: he must bo cihown the necessity of it, and that he must submit to if. When this is accomplished, tho rest will- be easy. One of the first things that discipline will teach him is steadiness in the ranks. Tt is only thus that he can concentrate his mind on his- drill, and the moro disciplined ho is the steadier and smarterhe, will be. It is the man with the wandering mind that looks about him when' supposed to Iμ standing at attention, who shifts his feet and.moves his handf—this man has never learnt his first lesson, and will never be any good till he lias.

Training Camps, "Since the training during the year is to be progressive, culminating in tho seven days' continuous training in camp, it stands to reason that this camp should take place as late in tho year as possible. Each quota of first-year men are posted at the same time, in May, to the several units and corps, and these are to bo brought on gradually to a state of efficiency, so that they 'may obtain the greatest advantage possible out of their training in camp with their unit or eiorps. There may be cases where local circumstances and tho vocation of individuals may demand the training of units in camp at other times than at the end of the year. It is possible that, as a special case, this may be conceded. But it must be borno in mind that a camp held near the beginuing of tho trainingyear cannot be so advantageous for training as at tho end, and for this reason: At tho commencement of the trainingyear thero is a quota of first-year riicn to, be considered, and these go into. camp with their unit. Their training must be progressive, and they are only at the commencement of it, therefore' they canuot take part in the higher training of their unit in the field. But because, during their timo in camp, they cannot be allowed to remain while their unit is carrying out this higher. training, a proportion of officers and non-commis-sioned officers must be detached from the unit to train the first-year men. This means that the services of these officers and non-commissioned officers aT& lost to tho unit a*Hl not only that, but these same officers and non-commissioned ofliM's lose the benefit of the training in the field with their unit which they would have had otherwise. Thus it is obvious that every, effort should ho nindo" to postpone the training in camp to as,late a date in the training-year as possible, having regard to the.convenience of the employer and the vocation of the individual. , Our Future Manhood. "Those-who are concerned in the training of the citizen soldier will, henceforth have' their task' lightened, compared with. the difficulties they had to deal, with in the past. Thoy will find thai; the quota of first-year men—ln othei words, the recruits—will all be posted to their unit at. one time, instead of dribbling in at all times of tho year. In the years to come theso recruits will be so far already trained, as senw cadets, as to be conversant with tbo elements of discipline, drill, physical training, and musketry. Thus it will bi> found that the work of the instructors of the territorial forces will !>e considerably lightened. To this end it behoves those who have the training of the senior cadets as their duty to realise tho very serious responsibility which rests on their shoulders. The senior cadels are the future manhood of tho nation, and it is to tho lesions inculcated during those receptive ages be) ween fourteen and eighteen that wo look for tho formation of a character that will make- them worthy citizens and good soldiers. It cannot bo too forcibly impressed on those concerned wilh the training of the senior cadet,"! that they will not only instruct them in the cloments of their military duly, but will also bring them up endowed with such a spirit of patriotism, discipline, sobriety, self-respect, and selfcontrol as will affect them in their afterlives and benefit their character and ability in whatever vocation they may embark. Tho training of the senior" cadets is looked on as Ihe most important part of ihe defence scheme. It is maintained that the mental, moral, and physical education of the senior cadets under t>. military organisation will improve the manhood of the nation, and it rets with their instructors to prove it.

"The training of the senior cadets in their military duties and physical exercises is to be of the most elementary nature, but what is required is that the grounding must bo thorough in all respects. It must be remembered that the better the senior cadet? are trained the. easier will be their task when they join the territorial forces, and !ho chief lesson they must learn is that of discipline; it is the must important, and. perhaps, with some, (he most difficult, but Iho habit must be ncrjuireil. As records the musketry training oC both territorials and senior cnilel--, (he musketry regulations will be taken :\> a uuido. sind a memorandum en the subject will be issued later." -'