BULLETIN No. 18. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, October 3, 1912. With a view to standardizing the instruction imparted at the Military Academy and at the various service schools on the subject of the employment of Cavalry, the following is announced as the policy of the War Department in respect to the use of that arm: 1. Mounted action is the main role of the Cavalry arm and its organization, armament, and instruction should be with a view to rendering it effective in such action. Dismounted action is, however, a very important role of the Cavalry, and neither an organization nor the method of instruction which fails to provide for the effective use of Cavalry dismounted will enable it to perform fully its functions in war. 2. The organization should be such as to permit of the greatest mobility, which is the essential quality of the Cavalry, while providing units of great smashing power in the charge and a sufficient number of rifles to make effective its use when required as a dismounted force. 3. Cavalry must maneuver freely and widely without fearing too much for its rear; and being often at a distance from the main body of an army, its commander must be clothed with authority to conform to actual conditions. 4. While the chief task of the Cavalry is to assist the other arms in accomplishing the common object, its role is often of primary importance. The action of Cavalry must be bold and daring; it must, whenever practicable, assume the initiative, seeking out the enemy and placing him upon the defensive. 5. The principal weapon of Cavalry in mounted action is the horse and the force of impact should be utilized to the utmost. The terrain and nature of the operations will determine which of the other weapons must be used. 6. When circumstances permit, Cavalry opposed to Cavalry should fight mounted, thus retaining the mobility and power of maneuver necessary to its security and success. 7. The historical value of Cavalry, including the experience and evolution of our own and that of other countries, must be carefully studied, and due consideration should be given to the greater magnitude of our future Cavalry operations as compared with our experiences since the Civil War. 2 8. The use to which Cavalry should be put in campaign is summarized is follows: a. To seek and destroy the enemy's Cavalry. b. Screening, contact, and reconnaissance. c. Seizing and holding important advanced or isolated positions, thus delaying the advance of the enemy until the arrival of the other arms. d. To operate on the flank and in the rear of the enemy. e. Raids and other enterprises requiring great mobility. f. The mounted charge at the opportune moment against Infantry or Field Artillery. g. Energetic pursuit of a retreating enemy or covering retreat of its own forces. h. When none of the above roles has been assigned to it, Cavalry may go to the assistance (dismounted) of hard pressed Infantry to fill gaps in the firing line. BULLETIN No. 19. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, October 5, 1912. In accordance with the provisions of Paragraph II, General Orders, No. 166, War Department, December 13, 1911, the following-named officers and enlisted men of the Coast Artillery Reserves of the Organized Militia are announced as having satisfactorily passed the examinations held May 13, 1912, under the above-mentioned order, as indicated after their respective names: |