Part 25 (1/2)

The remainder of this chapter boils down to an irreducible minimum some of the most important subjects with which a Reserve Officer or an applicant for a commission in the Officers' Reserve Corps should be familiar. It emphasizes those things with which a reserve officer should at once become familiar.[A] It merely opens up a broad field of study for a reserve officer and at the same time can be used as a place of reference.

THE LAND FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES

You now are, or expect to become, a member of the land forces of the United States. Of what do the land forces of the United States consist?

They consist of the Regular Army, the Volunteer Army, the Officers'

Reserve Corps, the Enlisted Reserve Corps, the National Army, the National Guard in the service of the United States and such other land forces as Congress may authorize.

The land forces are grouped under two general heads:

(1) The Mobile Army.

(2) The Coast Artillery.

”The Mobile Army. The mobile army is primarily organized for offensive operations against an enemy, and on this account requires the maximum degree of mobility.” (Field Service Regulations.) It consists of:

Infantry.

Field Artillery.

Cavalry.

Engineers.

Signal Corps Troops.

”The Coast Artillery. The coast artillery is charged with the care and use of the fixed and movable elements of the land and coast fortifications.” (Field Service Regulations.)

The President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. He exercises his command through the Secretary of War. The Chief of Staff acts as military adviser to the Secretary of War. He puts into effect the Administration's wishes.

For the purpose of equipping, inspecting, directing, and administering to the Army, there are the following corps and departments:

(1) General Staff Corps.

(2) Adjutant General's Department.

(3) Inspector General's Department.

(4) Judge Advocate General's Department.

(5) Quartermaster Corps.

(6) Medical Department.

(7) Ordnance Department.

(8) Bureau of Insular Affairs.

(9) Signal Corps.

(10) Engineer Corps.

The following are the grades of rank and commands of officers and noncommissioned officers:

(1) General Commands: Armies.

(2) Lieutenant-General Commands: Field Army.

(3) Major-General Commands: Division.