Right Training in the Militia Notices have now been served
on 35,000 men calling them up to report for service in the Militia on July i5th. The authorities appear to be alive to the fact that it will never do to apply the old-fashioned method of Regular Army training to the civilian army which is about to be created. The orders which have been issued call upon those who will be responsible for training to remember that the Militiamen are " at an impressionable age." Instructors will not indulge in " parrot-like repetitions " or indulge in the bullying methods known to the comic papers—and indeed known to everyone who served twenty years ago. Charges are not to be brought by subordinate commanders for trivial offences, and there is to be no segregation of social classes. On this subject Sir John Simon, speaking last Saturday, said that everybody, including the ex-O.T.C. man, was going to start level with his neighbour. That is the right decision. It should not mean that O.T.C. training will be wasted. The man who knows his drill will be graded accordingly, and should soon become an N.C.O. It is of immense importance that the principles laid down at headquarters should be properly appreciated by officers and instructors. A right start is essential. A method of training and discipline once adopted is likely to persist.
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