Brothers in Arms

See that all men are washed before mess call and that they are shaved before drill call.

See that the men get their food.

In other words, the squad leader and second in command should be the father, mother and big brother to the members of his squad.

This notice, by order of Colonel Joseph W. Becker, was last week posted on all company bulletin boards of the 174th (National Guard) Infantry at Fort Dix, N. J. In Company K it met horrified eyes. Noncoms gave it as their considered opinion that Colonel Becker had outdone even their genial company commander, Captain Kelsey H. Jewett, in babying the privates, announced that, sooner than turn father, mother and big brother, they would rather be privates themselves. Company K seethed with reports that as many as 18 sergeants and corporals had determined to take a stand on this thing. Colonel Becker found only four rebellious sergeants (two of them brothers), tartly reduced them to the ranks. He also indicated that Captain Jewett should stiffen up, stand for no more back talk from his company brothers. Army old-timers smiled up their tunic sleeves at this exhibition from the 174th. Like other recently mobilized National Guard outfits, the 174th still had its military ABCs to learn. A derisively extenuating rumor went about: Company K's men and officers hailed from Tonawanda, N. Y., where they had all been used to neighborly back talk.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.