THE RESERVE DEMOCRATIZED

With the organization of summer training camps for civilians, leading to commissions in the Reserve Corps of the army, one definite and somewhat justified objection to the present method of appointing reserve officers has been eliminated. It has been said that the method of granting commissions to graduates of college R. O. T. C. units only was undemocratic, because it would, in time of war, result in an officer class composed almost entirely of college men and members of the regular army.

During the previous administration, it was claimed that satisfactory training of officer material could only be accomplished in peace time by West Point or by courses given at the various colleges of the country during term time, supplemented by camps to be he held during the summer. Obviously, this made it impossible for any but college students to obtain the requisite instruction.

It is doubtful, in peace-time, without the incentive of a rapidly approaching war, such as was the case in 1915 when the Plattsburg camps were at their height, if any great number of citizens can be found, who are desirous of receiving military instruction. The proposed camps, however, will furnish an opportunity, at least, for men of sufficient ability, who have been unable to obtain a college education, to receive training that will qualify them to be officers in case of another war in the future.