General Advice
Categories: GENERAL ADVICEMilitary Handbooks: The Plattsburg Manual
The United States is divided geographically into military departments
with a general officer commanding each department. The departments and
their headquarters are as follows:
(1) The Northeastern Department, with headquarters at Boston,
Massachusetts.
(2) The Eastern Department, with headquarters at Governors Island,
New York.
(3)
South Carolina.
(4) The Central Department, with Headquarters at Chicago, Illinois.
(5) The Southern Department, with Headquarters at Fort Sam Houston,
Texas.
(6) The Western Department, with Headquarters at San Francisco,
California.
Overseas { (7) The Philippine Department, with Headquarters at
Departments { Manila.
{
{ (8) The Hawaiian Department, Departments with
{ Headquarters at Honolulu, Hawaii.
(For States comprising each department, see Appendix)
If you are a civilian and desire any information in regard to the army,
any training camps, the officers' reserve corps, or any military
legislation or orders affecting you, write to the Commanding General
of the Department in which you live. Address your letter to him at his
headquarters.
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Extinguishing Burning Clothes
Treatment: Lie down on the floor and roll up as tightly as possible in a rug blanket, etc., leaving only the head out. If nothing can be obtained in which to wrap yourself, lie down and roll over slowly and at the same time beat out the fire with ... Eyes Right Or Left
1. Eyes, 2. RIGHT (LEFT), 3. FRONT. At the command right, turn the head to the right oblique, eyes fixed on the line of eyes of the men in, or supposed to be in, the same rank. At the command front, turn the head and eyes to the front. Notice th... Facing Or Marching To The Rear
Being in line, line of platoons, or in column of platoons or squads, to face or march to the rear: 1. Squads right (left) about, 2. MARCH; or, 1. Squads right (left) about, 2. MARCH, 3. Company, 4. HALT. Executed by each squad as described in th... Facings
To the flank: 1. Right (left), 2. FACE. Raise slightly the left heel and right toe; face to the right, turning on the right heel, assisted by a slight pressure on the ball of the left foot; place the left foot by the side of the right. Left fa... Fainting
Symptom: Loss of consciousness. It is usually the result of severe bleeding or exhaustion from fatigue. This condition is rarely dangerous. Treatment: Lay the patient on his back, head a little lower than rest of body, arms by side, feet extende... False Information
Unless instructions have been given to spread false information, all persons connected with the military service are forbidden to discuss the military situation, plans, movements, etc., with, or in the presence of, civilians of any age, sex or nat... Field Exercises
These exercises, as well as combat exercises, are for instruction in duties incident to campaign. To receive the maximum benefit from them you must know the assumed situation of each exercise. ... Field Orders
Field orders, whether written or oral, should follow a certain form. This decreases the probability of any vital part being left out and increases the probability of the receiver or reader understanding it. In the following form for an advance, ... Fifth Movement On Right (left) Into Line
Being in column of platoons or squads, to form line on right or left: 1. On right (left) into line, 2. MARCH, 3. Company, 4. HALT, 5. FRONT. (On right [left] into line, means turn in the direction that is on your right and get into line. You hav... Fill Magazine
Take the position of load, if not already there, open the gate of the magazine with the right thumb, take five cartridges from the box or belt, and place them, with the bullets to the front, in the magazine, turning the barrel slightly to the left t... Final Suggestions
Don't be profane or tell questionable stories to your bunkies or around the company. There is a much greater number of silent and unprotesting men in camp than is generally supposed, to whom this is offensive. Keep everything on a high plane. ... Fire
There are three kinds of fire: (1) Volley Fire. Every one fires at the command FIRE. It is used at funerals and occasionally in the first part of an action when the enemy presents a large, compact target. (2) Fire At Will. In this each soldie... Fire Control
We have just described what the captain directs. Now we must put his directions (orders) into effect. This is done through his platoon leaders, assisted by the platoon guides and the corporals. 1st, The platoon leaders point out and describe their... Fire Direction
A company that cannot start firing or stop firing, that cannot fire faster or slower, that cannot distribute equally its fire over an opposing target, that cannot switch its fire from one place to another and make bull's-eyes, would be as unsucces... Fire Discipline
Now we come to the individual private on the firing line. All of the above measures for efficiency will come to but little unless the man with the gun can understand and do what he is directed to do. This training is called Fire Discipline. Fir... Fire Superiority
Do not study this chapter until you begin your extended order drills. If the authors of this text were requested to select for you the most important of all information that you will receive during your instruction at a training camp, they wou... First Aid To The Injured
In the army, as in civilian life, you are very often your brother's keeper, as well as your own. Doctors cannot accompany a scout, a patrol, or the firing line. They are seldom present when a man falls overboard. When a soldier on the firing line ... First-aid Packet
Each soldier carries on his belt a first-aid packet. This packet contains two perfectly pure bandages and a couple of safety pins. It should be air tight. Examine yours every week and if the seal is defective, ask your captain for a new packet. ... For An Advance
Field Orders (Title) No. ---- (Place) (Reference to map used) (Date and Hour) (1) (Information of enemy and of our Troops ... Formation
It is impossible to lay down any hard-and-fast rule governing the formation and conduct of the operations of a patrol. Each situation will have to be worked out by itself. The patrol should assume the general formation of a column of troops on the m... Fourth Movement Column Right
Being in column of squads, to change direction: 1. Column right (left), 2. MARCH. At the second command the front rank of the leading squad turns to the right on moving pivot as in the School of the Squad; the other ranks, without command, turn... Freezing And Frostbite
Symptom: The part frozen appears white or bluish and is cold. Treatment: Raise the temperature of the frozen member slowly by rubbing it with snow or ice and water, in a cool place. Don't go near a fire. ... Friends
There are a few men in all companies who play, loaf, and who are constantly in trouble. As the good men in each company will not become friendly with them, they seek their acquaintances among the new men on whom they have a baneful influence. We w... Gas
Most of the gas used on the battlefield today is deadly. When a gas shell explodes there are two kinds of men: Quick men and Dead men. The quick men put on their gas masks, which contain chemicals that neutralize the poisonous air. Treatment: W... General Advice
The United States is divided geographically into military departments with a general officer commanding each department. The departments and their headquarters are as follows: (1) The Northeastern Department, with headquarters at Boston, ... General Advice
To become a first-class drillmaster is desirable and necessary. But, being one, you are not to be intrusted with the command of troops in the field unless you have gone much farther than that. To become an excellent drillmaster means simply that y... General Hints And Cautions
1. Don't be afraid of the kick; it is more imaginary than real when the sling is properly used, your shoulder properly padded, and the gun properly held. 2. Rest your cheek, not your jaw bone, lightly against the small of the stock. 3. Rest ... General Ideas And Rules For Solving Military Problems
The cave man knocked over his foe with a rude club. The operation is greatly refined to-day. The technique of war changes with the ages, but human nature remains the same. Whether with grenade or gas, from submarine or aeroplane, a man after all p... General Information Concerning The Officers' Reserve Corps
An officer in the Reserve Corps cannot, without his consent, be called into service in a lower grade than that held by him in the Reserve Corps. When a Reserve Officer reaches the age limit fixed for appointment or reappointment in the grade in... General Principles
Security embraces all those measures taken by a command to protect itself from observation, annoyance, or surprise by the enemy. Ordinarily this security is provided in part by cavalry. But as a command is not always preceded by cavalry, and as ... General Principles Of Target Practice
The most thrilling experience you will have at a training camp will probably come when you step up to the firing line on the target range to fire your first shot. The great majority of new men grow pale, become nervous, lose their calm and poi... Guard Duty
Guards are used in camp or garrison to preserve order, to protect property, and to enforce police regulations. The commander of the guard is an officer or non-commissioned officer. He performs his duties under the supervision of the officer of the... Halts
Halts are made for the purpose of resting. Take advantage of the opportunity by sitting down at once along the side of the road near the place where your squad will form when the march is resumed. Remain seated until the command to fall in is give... Heat Exhaustion--(the Skin Is Cool)
Symptoms: Nausea, a staggering gait, pulse is weak, and the patient may quickly become unconscious. The skin is cool. This condition is dangerous. Treatment: Rub the limbs vigorously. Give stimulants; apply heat. ... Hints On Rapid Fire
1. When you go to the firing point get two clips of cartridges, one to be used at the command load and the extra one is placed in the belt. 2. See that your cut-off is up. 3. When the target first appears drop quickly into the required positio... How The Buttercup Grew Yellow
Long, long ago it is told that the flowers were all white and that each received its color by some magic power. The little Daisy, with its yellow eye, received its golden center when the angry elves pelted the little Fairies with sunbeams. T... How The Buttercup Grew Yellow
Long, long ago it is told that the flowers were all white and that each received its color by some magic power. The little Daisy, with its yellow eye, received its golden center when the angry elves pelted the little Fairies with sunbeams. T... How To Clean A Rifle And Bayonet
Get a rag and rub the heavy grease off; then get a soft pine stick, pointed at one end, and with this point remove the grease from the cracks, crevices and corners. Clean the bore from the breech. When the heavy grease has been removed, the metal ... Infantry
The infantry is the principal and most important arm, which is charged with the main work on the field of battle and it usually decides the final issue of the combat. (Field Service Regulations.) The role (duty or job) of the infantry, whether off... Infantry Battalion
Four companies of infantry. (There are three battalions in a regiment of infantry.) ... Infantry Drill Regulations 1911
FOR USE WITH THE UNITED STATES RIFLE, MODEL, 1917 (ENFIELD) For troops armed with the United States rifle, Model 1917 (Enfield), the alternative paragraphs published herewith will govern. By order of the Security of War: HUGH L. SCO... Information For Schools And Colleges Armed With Rifles Model 1898
War Department, Office of the Chief of Staff, Washington, December 2, 1911. The Infantry Drill Regulations, 1911, have been prepared for the use of troops armed with the United States magazine rifle, model 1903. For the guidance of organizat... Inoculations And Vaccination
As soon as you become a member of the army, whether as a private or as an officer, you will receive the typhoid prophylaxis inoculation and be vaccinated against smallpox. ... Inquisitive Mr Possum
It was Mr. Owl who gave the wood folk the warning by calling out one night, "To whom it may concern!" At least the wood people knew that was what he meant, but anyone else might have thought he just cried "To whoo! To whoo!" So when all the ... Inquisitive Mr Possum
It was Mr. Owl who gave the wood folk the warning by calling out one night, "To whom it may concern!" At least the wood people knew that was what he meant, but anyone else might have thought he just cried "To whoo! To whoo!" So when all the ... Instructions
The officer sending out a patrol should give it instructions on the following points: 1. Information of the enemy and of friendly supporting troops. 2. The mission of the patrol. This will include the general direction in which it is to go. ... Intelligence Section General Staff
There is a special committee of the Great General Staff called the Intelligence Section, whose business it is to weigh and classify all information sent to it. Members of this committee are placed on duty with large organizations (for instance, a ... Intrenchments
Ordinarily infantry intrenches itself whenever it is compelled to halt for a considerable time in the presence of the enemy. (Infantry Drill Regulations.) Trenches are constructed with a view of giving cover which will diminish losses, but they mu...