MAKING CITIZENS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 241, 5 July 1919, Page 9

MAKING CITIZENS

THE NEW CADET TRAINING

. SELF-CONTROL AND CONCENTRATION (By "Old Cadet.") The new syllabus ot cadet training, which has just been issued, embodies lessons of the war, and makes important improvements and modifications of the old system. .During tho last four years and a half fens of thousands of young New Zealanders have been pronounced to bo medically unfit to serve their country in the field. The condition of affairs disclosed by the medical examinations of recruits, for the Expeditionary Force is proof of the necessity for cadet training to aim not so much at the military training of the individual as at the physical, mental, and moral training of youths between the very impressionable ages of fourteen years and eighteen years. The basic idea of the new syllabus is to strengthen the bodies and characters of the lads, and lay the foundations of good citizenship. Owing to the need for «• standardised system of cadet training, the General 'Staff issued a syllabus of training in 191(1. This proved satisfactory during (he war, .since it carried tho cadets to the standard of military training recjuired on entering the Territorial Force, which in' turn reduced the amount of instruction required in tho ExpeditionI arv Force camps. Now that the war is ended, it is generally recognised that a better system of Territorial training in a more concentrated form is required for both efficiency and economy. The improvement of the Territorial training will make it possible'for less time to bo given to the..purely military training of cadets, and 'iMder the new syllabus character building and physical training hold chief place./ An effort is to be made to develop the boys mentally, morally, and-physically during the cadet .years. The purpose of the new trainins, as slated 'in the preface to tho syllabus, is primarily ,to make good citizens. It recognises that one of the attributes of good citizenship is tho ability to defend the .nation if the need arises, and that (his ability for the punposes of'modern defence will take.many years to acquire. Citizenship is the keynote of the new syllabus. Those responsible for the compilation of tho syllabus have had wide opportunity to learn tho faults, weaknesses .and requirements of cadet training. They have had years (if'experience in dealing with boys and men, and it is noteworthy that' they ha,ve arrived at practically the same'conclusions. It is' easy enough to interest a boy in the spectacu ar side of soldiering. The normal boy likes to wear a uniform and carry a rifle. But the training must go much deeper than this if it is to build character as well as physique and the knowledge of the instructor must go far beyond the text of the drill manual if the best attainable results are to be produced. During the past two years numerous-barracks of instruction'have been held at various secondary schools throughout New Zealand bv the Director of Military Training and members of the training -staff. flie boys have been placed under military discipline for a period of days; they have received ' intensive training under conditions resembling thoso of a -military school, and in every instance their progress has been' rapid. But instructors as well as cadets, havo learned lessons at these barracks. The work of cadet units both in distant country areas and closo townships has been also closely examined by these officers, with vnlunblo results. ' ■~ Discipline among- cadets is easy to. attain. If the officer knows his work, and gives his orders in the right wny-t hat is to say, if he is qualified for his task— the'.bov's will obey willingly. But discipline is not the end and aim of the cadet training. Character requires to be built on a foundation of self-control, determination, and confidence; and the sure .'impulse to think and act right is something far more important m the making of a man than tho mere habit, of obc-ving.orders nt tl'.O nghttime. :i.;e point may bo illustrated by quoting the experience of a recent course of cadet instruction. The cadets took to their work with enthusiasm; they "were keen, willing, and intelligent, and obviously were trying to mako a success of their cadet training. At tho end of the first dny tho-officer in charge asked tho various instructors what they considered to be the cadets' weakest point., The answer was "Lack of self-control and of concentration." The cadets could obey, but they could not hold themselves intently to a given task. ■ Tho officer put the case to the cadets "You aro doing your drill well." he told (hem. "You nreimaking good progress as cadets. Yon are displaying willingness and enthusiasm. But you can t control yourselves, .and you can't concentrate. 'When I tell you to stand at attention, yon fidget. You can't keep your hands and your feet still. Ihero is no particular virtue about ,tho mere net. of standing to nttention, and wo don t tell you to do it because it gives us any particular pleasure to sco you motionless. But your inability to stand to nttention is proof that you havo not got self-control. You can't concentrate. Wheji an instructor is talking to you, and you aro all trying'to pay* closo attention, a sound or a movement in some other part of the -ground is enough to send vour eyes and thoughts wandering. That is.proof that you are not masters of your own minds and bodies. In© cadets wero quick to appreciate tho point and quick to learn their lesson. Bv the end of tho fourth day these same cadets were displaying enormously improved powers of self-control and concentration, and an important advance had been made in the boys' education. The scope of the new syllabus was described some time ago by tho Directol of Military Training. Military, trainins is included in the system, said Colonel Sleeman, becau'so fully 75 per cent, of such training aims at producing a selfconfident, firm-willed, disciplined, punctual, and self-respecting man. This training does not. however, receive nearly as much attention as the physical development of the cadet and the proper direction of his whole outlook on life. Tho aim is to produce healthy, activeminded, and conscientious citizens. That is what the Emnire.and tho Dominion require to-day—"mod, strong, healthyminded youths, filled with the fine spirit of true democracy, and intolerant of nil mean and dirty actions." Citizenship, not militarism, is. the renl aim of tho cadet force. Colonel Sleeman added that the syllabus was comparatively simple to prepare, but its proper application was vital to its success. Locnl bodies, citizens, parents, and instructors roust nil lend tb"ir rvmpti.H)"tic sminnrt if the best results were to be attained. The syllabus was based upon tho experience and julvicn of some hundreds of I Senior Staff and.Territorial officers, and others familiar with cadet training and tho necessities of good citizenship.