A SOLDIERS' HINTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2727, 23 March 1916, Page 6

A SOLDIERS' HINTS

WHAT RECRUITS SHOULD KNOW,

At. morning defaulter's orderly room, when the Commandant begins to bite his pen-handle, close up—say no more. You have been found guilty, and lie is seeking a punishment to lit the crime.

Nevor bo rude to engine-drivers or guards' on the railway. You may want a ride back to camp on the "Wild Cat" some dark morning, and that isn't a passenger train. When your sergeant says to you: "What do }•' mean be coram' on parade with a dirty rifle, and yer boots aren't clean, either, and look at yer buttons," don't lose your head. He is only showing off before the platoon commander. Treat the picket and the Red Caps with respect, they don't like a "dustup" in tho public streets, and might get nasty. The camp police are difterent —a row with them is only a family quarrel; and you'can make it as willing as they like.

J3o gentle to tho new recruit. He has just parted with his luggage, and feels a bit homesick. But don't leave anything valuable about. He's feeling tho pinch, and it might become a habit.

Always salute officers when you see them, and they see you see them. But don't see them too often, or let them see you see them any oftener. A little saluting goes a long way on both sides—it's a great bluff, but it shouldn't be called too often.

If the man next to you on the rifle range persists in putting bulls on your target, avoid irascibility of temper. Keep cool, and lob a few outers on his tin plate—if you can. The chance of being injured by the bullets colliding in mid-air is negligible. . ; Never salute officers at bathing parade. They don't expect you to recognise them outside of their uniforms, and they certainly'would never recognise you. Gossiping in the showerbaths is dangerous. Never monkey with a company ser-geant-major. More things can happen to you if you offend him than if you publicly denounced the British Army. He has the dash of a' major and the cunning of a sergeant, and all he wants is a Sam Browne belt.