Leadership1 In the limited time of half an hour it is difficult to cover such a large subject as leadership. But the following remarks may give an insight into some of the requisites of true leadership. Effective military leadership rests, not upon force, but upon the spirit of confidence aroused in enlisted men and subordinates. Leadership is the most important element in the Army organization. If you haven't the proper kind of leadership nothing can be accomplished. On the front, your men scatter over many kilometers, in shell holes, in trenches, in the woods, out of your sight and out of your control. But if they are imbued with the proper spirit and discipline, they know where you want them to go, and they go. But without this spirit and discipline, that is without proper leadership, these men scattered over the terrain are very likely to stay where they are when ordered to go forward. The whole command is liable to stop where the men are not properly disciplined and lead, and it is not stopped by the Division Commander, the Brigade Commander, nor the Regimental Commander, it is stopped by the private. Don't try to instill discipline with the aid of a club. It may do on a drill ground, but it is no good in battle. When you make attack after attack, when your men are lacking water and food, when they have been without sleep for days and you are required to make one or more advance, this is the timethis is the supreme test-when your men must go forward and if you are a real leader, they will unhesitatingly go. Four principal qualities make leadership: Character, intelligence, physique, and cheerfulness. It is through the character of officers, the honesty of their purpose and earnestness of their effort that confidence is aroused in subordinates. You must do more than train your men as efficient soldiers. You must be interested in their welfare, in their sports and comforts. Look to the mess. See See that that they have sufficient blankets. Be an example to your men in neatness and military bearing. Men are quick to imitate their officers. Whatever you do, do it thoroughly. Require everything that is done in your organization to be done thoroughly and efficiently. Then your organization will be taken notice of, and your men will be proud of their organization. When it becomes known that you do things thoroughly and efficiently, your subordinates will mould their actions after your acts. Another factor in the character of a leader is the will to win. Endurance-fighting just a little longer than your opponent— is a requisite for that success which instills into others confidence in you as a leader. Encourage esprit de corps. Point out to your men that it is a privilege to wear the shoulder insignia of the organization. Encourage physical development, neatness of dress, and make the men feel proud of their organization. The second quality of leadership is intelligence. This includes judgment and common sense. If a march is to be made, the route should be reconnoitered beforehand. Men who march long miles through the mistake of their commander lose much of their feeling of respect for him. Apportion details and subordinate command functions to your subordinates. Make 1 An address given by Brig. Gen. H. E. Ely, U. S. Army, before the Reserve Officers' Club of Kansas City, Mo. leaders and executives of them, develop them. The leader's energy should be reserved for higher things. Knowledge of the profession, obtained by study and experience, so that those under you may have confidence in your judgment and decisions is another of the mental requisites. This means that a leader should have a knowledge of the duties of everyone under him, from a private to the highest commissioned rank; and the ability to apply this knowledge to practically every case that may come up. I Change of Address There are scattered throughout the country hundreds and hundreds of Reserve Officers that cannot be located by the War Department or by the officers with the Divisions and nondivisional groups. This situation has come about due to the failure of officers to keep the War Department and the Chief of Staff of the Unit to which they are assigned advised of changes of address. This is such an important matter that it should not be overlooked. A post card giving the name and new address is all that is necessary. If it is not attended to the Chief of Staff cannot send out the mail matter that you are due to receive and you miss a lot of material that you should have. Don't overlook this proposition. It is a part of the military game just as much as other activities that you engage in. The Ohio Association The Ohio Association of Reserve Officers was organized at Columbus November 17 at the Annual Convention. The Constitution provides for ten district associations in the State the organization of which are to be pushed to completion as rapidly as possible. The officers elected were: President, Colonel Edward Orton, Q. M. C.; Vice-President, Lieut.-Col. Joseph W. Viner, Infantry; Secretary, Major A. J. Sechterman, Infantry; Treasurer, Lieut.-Col. R. D. Sharpe, Jr., Cavalry. The following Resolutions were adopted by the convention: Whereas, The Reserve Officers Association of the United States came into existence and adopted a constitution in meeting at Washington, D. C., October 4, 1922, and Whereas, The Reserve Officers of Ohio today in session, formed the Reserve Officers Association of Ohio, a State organization as a part of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, and Whereas, The purpose and object of this organization is to support and assist in the development and execution of a Military policy for the United States which shall provide adequate National Defense, and Whereas, Strength and accomplishment of purpose lies in unity of action and organized association; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That we recommend and urge that every Reserve Officer join or assist in the formation of district organizations subordinate to this association and in keeping with the provisions of the National and State Constitutions; and, be it further Resolved, That Reserve Officers take it upon themselves individually to interest young men of their community in the matter of preparing themselves for eventual commissions in the Reserve Corps; and, be it further Resolved, That every district association by honorable means acquaint all the representatives of Congress from said district with the necessity of providing adequate appropria tions for the Annual Reserve Officers Camp contemplated in the National Defense Act and to report any comment or expression of opinion emanated from said representatives to the President of the Reserve Officers Association of Ohio. For the first time in its history our country has adopted a definite military policy in the existing National Defense Act. We heartly approve the underlying principles of this act by which the Regular Army, National Guard, and the Reserve Corps are coordinated into a harmonious defensive force. We as thoroughly disapprove of the ill-advised drastic amendments which have reduced the strength of the permanent establishment to 12,000 officers and 125,000 enlisted men. The safety of our country requires an adequate defensive force for any eventuality. We believe that the present reduction in the strength of the permanent establishment jeopardizes that safety. We therefore favor the restoration of the Army to 175,000 enlisted men together with the necessary officers as the minimum regular force commensurate with our needs. Be It Further Resolved, That this Association, composed very largely of men who have served as officers in the World war, who are mindful of their obligations as patriotic American citizens to yield disinterested public service to their Government, in times of peace as well as war, and who have accepted commissions in the Organized Reserve, with the intention of rendering such service in the way for which their training and experience best fit them, now respectfully demand that Congress shall keep its compact with them and with the American people, by making the necessary appropriations to enable the Organized Reserves to become a real and dependable factor in the scheme of National Defense. To do less than this will be subversive of the whole spirit of the National Defense Act, and will ruin the chance still remaining to utilize the services and secure the continued interest of many thousands of officers and men whose military training and skill have been purchased at such a staggering cost to the nation, and which constitutes one of the few assets remaining from the terrible costs of that struggle. Be It Further Resolved, That for the fiscal year 1923-24, as a beginning, the modest amount to be appropriated sufficient to give the minimum training of 15 days to one-third of the total number of Reserve Officers now holding commissions and not in any case less than 15,000 officers and additional training to group of 200 officers as may be selected and are willing to give their time for the purpose for an additional period of 75 days, which sum estimated by the War Department at approximately $3,000,000.00. Be It Further Resolved, That this Convention urge passage of such laws by Congress that will create sufficient funds to be placed in the hands of the constituted authorities for the complete operation of the National Defense Act and all of its coordinating amendments excepting such amendment or amendments that have for its purpose the reduction of the personnel below that amount stated in the recommendations of the Commanding General Pershing. Be It Further Resolved, That the Reserve Officers Association of Ohio in convention assembled, indorse and subscribe to the general plans for National Defense as outlined by General Pershing in his speech at New York City last night and as expressed by the American Legion at its fourth National Convention at New Orleans; to the effect that in case the United States of America is at any time in the future forced to wage an extensive war, that all the national resources be mobilized by conscription or otherwise including industrial, agricultural and professional resources as well as the man-power that is called to the colors. Be It Further Resolved, That this convention endorse all of the resolutions of the National Convention of Reserve Officers on October 3, 1922. A copy of same is herein quoted and made a part of the proceedings of this convention. ing for Reserve Officers as that of last summer. It is understood that 100 officers in each corps area will be called to active duty with their own consent for a period of 45 days and they are to be selected from those who are to take the 15 days' training. There will be funds sufficient to call a total of about 15,000 officers for the regular 15 days' training period. Officers of Infantry who desire to take the training should get in their applications to Corps Area Commanders at an early date in order that they may be assured a place on the list. I Alabama Organizes The Reserve Officers of Alabama met in The following is an extract from a most Be It Resolved, (1) That we heartily endorse the National Defense Act, as amended by the Act of 1920, and the announced policies of the War Department for carrying into effect this Act, which for the first time in our national existence gives us by law a sound military policy; (2) That we urgently recommend that the National Defense Act be still further amended so that to guarantee for the future equal military service for all by authorizing the President, when Congress shall have declared an emergency to exist which calls for an increase of the military establishment, to draft into service of the United States such members of the unorganized militia as he may deem necessary, provided, that all persons drafted into service between the ages of 21 and 30, or such other limits as the President may fix, shall be drafted without exemption on account of industrial occupation; and provided further, that there shall be no exemption of any kind from military service on account of religious or other con T scientious grounds; that the profit be taken out of war by granting to the President authority to fix and stabilize prices for services and commodities declared to be essential for the Government or the civilian population; and to determine and proclaim the material resources, industrial organizations and services over which the Government control is necessary to the successful termination of an emergency, and such control shall be exercised by him through agencies then existing or which he may create for such purposes: (3) That we view with alarm the efforts from certain quarters to cripple, if not destroy, our Regular Army, which in our opinion should never be less than 13,000 officers and 150,000 men with the proper share of trained non-commissioned officers, all kept to the highest possible state of efficiency; (4) That we heartily endorse the National Guard of the several states, which rendered such valuable service in the World War, and we urge that it be maintained at its maximum strength and efficiency; (5) That we approve of the plans for the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and of the Citizens' Military Training Camps, which we believe will furnish the Government in time of war with a considerable nucleus of voluntarily trained officers, non-commissioned officers and men, to take the places of those veterans of the World War who must necessarily step aside as the years go by; and (6) That we especially urge that Congress take no backward step in the plans to organize and train that large body of citizens who are to compose our Organized Reserves, which will constitute the bulk of the armies for war, and we ask that appropriations be made commensurate with the plans of the War Department for this force. The Association adopted other resolutions regarding the strength of the Navy; the details of field training for Reserve Officers; the protection of the flag and the uniform of the Army from misuse; recommending necessary clerical assistants for Executive Officer of regiments; endorsing proposed legislation relating to longevity pay for Reserve Officers with National Guard Service; and recommending an amendment of S. R. 43 with respect to the necessity for a Reserve Officer having the endorsement and recommendation of the Governor of his State in order to make him eligible for duty with the General Staff. The Alabama Branch starts out with a goodly membership and the character of the officers at the helm of it insures its success. Extracts from Talk to Reserve The following extracts are from a talk given by Major John Scott, nfantry, before the assembled Reserve Officers of the District of Columbia. There is a lot of good whole. some common sense in them: The Officers' Reserve Corps, as a part of the Army of the United States, is the result of Congressional action which attempts to correct one of our errors of unpreparedness as a lesson from the war. The success of this important component of the national defense depends upon the efficiency of its officers to meet the test of battle. We must learn to be good swimmers if we want to act as life savers. It is bad business learning to swim after one jumps into deep water. A feature of our part of the World War was that our teamwork was not the best. Many officers were necessarily centered in their own command, and their own specific duty. They did wonders in learning their own job; but they had little chance to learn that of the other man. This fostered a tendency toward too much individualism, and not enough teamplay and intelligent cooperation. The art of correct understanding of an order from a superior, or estimating the situation and transmitting your own orders is not a natural instinct. It can only be acquired by long practice. Orders must be as short as possible and so worded that they cannot be misunderstood or misconstrued. Failure in teamwork cost lives. Terrain Exercises The series of Terrain Exercises which has been running in this department of the INFANTRY JOURNAL for the past year has been concluded. There has been such a demand for the material contained in this series of Exercises that we have decided to publish them in book form. The Exercises have accordingly been carefully gone over and revised. Several more have been added and the whole published in a handsome volume of nearly 400 pages which is now ready for distribution. An advertisement and order blank for the book will be found in the front ad. section of the JOURNAL. The complete book contains Terrain Exercises covering the following subjects: Attack of Strong Point, Rifle Com pany; Approach March and Deployment; Defensive Position; Employment of Machine Gun Company Supporting Rifle Companies; An Advance Guard; A Flank Guard; Posting an Outpost; A Visiting Patrol and a Reconnoitering Patrol. Reserve Officers will find the text interesting and instructive. It will prepare you for the tactical work at the summer training camps and give you a grounding in the solution of Tactical problems not otherwise obtainable. 98th Division Meeting "A man in the Army stands upon his own foundation. Buddyism is a wonderful thing and no college companionship can compare with it." Thus spoke Brigadier General William Weigel before a meeting of the Finger Lakes Sector of the Association of the Army of the United States at Elmira, N. Y., December 7th. Colonel Willis Uline, Chief of Staff of the 98th Division, and Lieut. Col. K. T. Smith, assistant Chief of Staff of the 98th Division, also addressed the meeting. The Finger Lakes Sector consists of Reserve Officers of the 37th Congressional District and has approximately 200 members. It is proving most popular in its mission. Bi-monthly dinners are held at various points in the district at which meetings prominent Army officers generally attend. Colonel Uline first was called upon to speak and said in part: "Each individual is a stockholder in the United States Government and it is his duty to accomplish, by vote, of the men in the Congress, that the country be prepared. An appeal should be made to the men in power to insure our country against needless loss of life and fortune through unpreparedness which was a big lesson of the World War. The 98th Division has done considerable toward placing central, southern and western New York on the military map. The results already obtained are most gratifying but they only are the beginning of bigger things. "You who had active service overseas know what was accomplished. Errors were made there but now we have together the master military minds who are mapping out plans to prevent a recurrence of those errors." Colonel Uline advised every man to take advantage of the correspondence courses which are being offered, stating they present things most vital and keep one posted to the minute in military affairs. The speaker urged the necessity of keeping in condition, for the time may come when Reserve Officers are needed. "There will be wars as long as there is hatred and animosity," said Colonel Uline. "We must be prepared and the only way it can be accomplished is by keeping fit for duty at all times." Brigadier General Weigel stated: "The best element of the land is found among the reserve organizations and it is their place to make demands of the men in Congress for proper consideration and preparedness. "Buddyism and comradship is one of the greatest of all things. No college companionship can compare with it. That spirit of facing the crisis together instills in each a spirit of comradship which cannot be overcome. A man in the Army stands upon his own foundation. We don't know whether he is a West Pointer or not, and these gatherings are good examples. They are great. This organization is a big factor in National defense and is one to be proud of. "At no time in history were conditions as critical as today. The unsettled affairs in Germany and all Europe. Selfishness ever will exist. Germany is branching out all over the world as before. We will have war as long as there are two women and one man or two men and one woman. This reserve movement is the greatest thing of all time for it helps in preparedness so necessary. General Pershing is delighted with the movement and I am for it at all times." General Weigel also stated the success of an officer depends upon his ability to know and understand his men. "He should know each individual and his characteristics to be successful." Lieut. Col. Smith described in detail the use of the rifle and outlined the importance of musketry. “Future battles will be won through Infantry team work," said Colonel Smith, “and the advancement in that art has been remarkable during the past few years." Republican Congressman-elect Gale H. Stalker was present and expressed his favorable impression of the organization and meeting and his sympathies with the speakers' subjects. M. C. JACKSON, |