Chapter II: 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 assisting 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 principally for those who have made excellent progress.

CONTENTS

I General Advice 3
II Physical Exercise 21
III School of the Soldier 28
IV School of the Squad 63
V School of the Company 86
VI Fire Superiority 130
VII The Service of Security 136
VIII Attack and Defense 144
IX General Principles of Target Practice 153
X Practice March or "Hike" 159
XI Officers' Reserve Corps 169

SUPPLEMENT

I The Theory of Security 221
II Attack and Defense 242
III Patrolling 254
IV Target Practice 260
V Tent Pitching 292
VI Signals and Codes 297
VII First Aid to the Injured 309

Appendixes 321

Index 331

THE PLATTSBURG MANUAL