The New Army in Training
There are far fewer squads of new soldiers in evidence in all the towns today than there were at the corresponding period of the last War, nor is recruiting going on at the same feverish pace. Yet under the present orderly procedure it is probable that we shall turn out more men ready for active service in a shorter time. The recruits of today have uni- forms, equipment, and competent instructors, and there is no waste of time in making them fit for their job. No men will now be sent on active service in a half-trained condition, but under the new system the War Office considers that four months should be enough. Two months are allotted for basic training, the simplified drill shortening the time which must be given to the tedious preliminaries. After that come two months of specialist training, which is more important for infantrymen, as well as for others, in these days of increased mechanisation. After four months the men will be drafted to their units, and it must be hoped that there will be further opportunities of collective training before they are sent to the front. The War Office is adhering to its promise to select officers from the ranks. The normal approach to commis- sioned ranks is through the cadet schools, as it was in the latter part of the last War ; and the approach to the cadet schools is through proof of suitability among the ordinary rank and file. But surely it is a mistake not to embody more volunteers from men not yet due to be called up. Older men who have no family responsibilities and are willing to serve would have a strengthening influence in a new army consist- ing at present too exclusively of the very young.
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