Page:The history and achievements of the Fort Sheridan officers' training camps.djvu/340

 ��THE FORT SHERIDAN ASSOCIATION

���THE HOUSE IN ORDER

��Look at the humorous side of things. Don t forget that humor is the saving thing of life. When you men are worn out by a hard day in the trenches or on the march remember that there's always a bright side to everything.

Train yourselves to the habit of precision even in the smallest things. Be slow to decide about the characters of the men about you. In time you will discover qualities in your companions that you never suspected before. Look upon your officer as your big brother. Bear tow^ard him the brotherly love that he will bear toward you. I w^ant my officers to give careful consideration to all questions and to give appro- priate replies.

It is a serious question to decide in three months w^ho shall be officers. Don't forget that the officers w^ho command you will do justice not only to you but to the United States Government. This country w^ants ability in leaders. It w^ants men who will win.

I w^ant my officers to allow^ no outside influence to affect their de- cisions. I w^ant nothing to control but the qualities they observe in you from day to day. That's w^hat w^e w^ant, that's w^hat they w^ant and that's w^hat you w^ant.

Methods of warfare are changing every day. 1 have to study just as you are studying. We are going to give you the most advanced course possible in three months' time. You are going to live, eat and sleep in the trenches for forty-eight hours at a time. There may even be gas attacks. In short, w^e are going to give you as nearly as possible those things w^hich will make up your experience on the other side.

Remember that in military life, as in civil life, there is one thing that smooths out all rough places the oil of courtesy. Use it in every- thing. Remember that to all propositions that you approach there are always two handles — rough and smooth. Use the smooth every time. Be patient. Don't be selfish, but work for the success of your squad, your platoon and your company. Approach all your tasks w^ith a smile.

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