USA > West Virginia > Report of the Adjutant General of West Virginia 1914 - 1916 > Part 4
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Bruce S. Cook ; assigned for duty as Quartermaster and Commissary, Third Bat- talion, Second Infantry, vice Perkins, supermunerary.
By order of TIIE GOVERNOR, JOHN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, January 2, 1915.
General Orders.
No. 1.
EXTRACT.
5. Captain John H. McCulloch, Medical Corps, having tendered his resignation, the same is accepted to date January 1, 1915.
6. The following commission and assignment is announced to date January 1, 1915 :
To be First Lieutenant, First Infantry :
J. Offut Lakin ; assigned for duty as Adjutant, Third Battalion, First Infantry, vice Martin transferred.
By order of THE GOVERNOR, JOHN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, February 23, 1915.
General Orders.
No. 2.
1. The annual inspection of Company D, Second Infantry, not having been made on February 5, 1915, as provided in paragraph 1. G. O. No. 32, A. G. O. 1914, on account of flood conditions, will be made in compliance with said order in the company's armory at Spencer, March 16, 1915.
2. Major Thomas B. Daris, Second Infantry, having tendered his resignation, the same is accepted to date February 4, 1915.
By order of THE GOVERNOR, JOHN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
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STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
[W. VA.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, March 11, 1915. .
General Orders.
No. 3.
1. The annual inspection of Companies B and I, Second Infantry, pursuant to paragraph 1, G. O. 32. A. G. O., 1914, having been made under unfavorable con- ditions, another inspection of these organizations will be made as follows :
Company B, Second Infantry, March 15, 1915.
Company I, Second Infantry, March 17, 1915.
2. Such inspection will comply with the provisions of said G. O. 32, A. G. O., 1914, except as to the dates therefor.
3. First Lieutenant Earle Michael, First Infantry, having tendered his resigna- tion, the same is accepted to date February 15, 1915.
By order of THE GOVERNOR, JOHN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, March 15, 1915.
General Orders.
No. 4.
1. The weekly drill pay authorized by paragraph 2, G. O. No. 26, A. G. O., 1914, will be discontinued for all organizations after the week ending March 20, 1915. Pay rolls for the drills held for the month, to and including said week, will be forwarded to the Adjutant General not later than March 31, 1915.
2. After the week ending March 20, 1915, all organizations will continue the weekly drills, without pay, reporting the same on Form No. 12, 1. G. O., monthly. By order of THE GOVERNOR, JOHN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, March 20, 1915.
General Orders.
No. 5.
1. Because of unsatisfactory conditions therein the following organizations of the West Virginia National Guard will be mustered out of the service to date March 31, 1915 :
Company A, First Infantry, Weston.
Company E, First Infantry, Piedmont.
Band, First Infantry, Fairmont.
2. Major John H. Charnock. First Infantry, will proceed to the above named stations, as directed by this office, and receipt to the Commanding Officers of said organizations for all State and United States property in their possession, shipping such property as the Adjutant General may direct. The Commanding Officers of said organizations will, not later than March 31. 1915, make up invoices in quadruplicate of such property to the Receiving Officer.
3. The Commanding Officer, First Infantry, will issue discharges to the enlisted men of the above named organizations.
4. The following officers having been rendered surplus by disbandment of their organizations, will, pursuant to section 35. Military Code, be transferred to the supernumerary list to date March 31, 1915, pending settlement of property accountability :
Captain Dana Young, First Infantry.
Captain George M. Boyles, First Infantry.
5. The following officers having been rendered surplus by disbandment, will,
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REPORT OF ADJUTANT GENERAL
1916.]
pursuant to section 35, Military Code, be honorably discharged the service to date March 31, 1915 :
First Lieutenant Frank R. Yoke, First Infantry.
First Lieutenant George C. Beck, First Infantry.
Second Lieutenant William E. Blaker, First Infantry.
6. Second Lieutenant Leonard H. Jones, First Infantry, having been rendered surplus by disbandment, will, pursuant to section 35, Military Code, be trans- ferred to the supernumerary list to date March 31. 1915.
7. The travel, per diem and subsistence enjoined are necessary in the service.
By order of THE GOVERNOR, JOHN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, March 21, 1915.
General Orders.
No. 6.
The current small arms practice season is prescribed as follows :
I. IN-DOOR GALLERY PRACTICE.
The current season for Gallery Practice opened November 1, 1914, and will close October 31, 1915.
Gallery Practice will be required of all officers and enlisted men who are re- quired to practice with the service rifle and who have not qualified as first-classmen, or better, at outdoor range practice.
Before taking a man on the gallery range for practice or qualification. the com- pany commander will see that the man is thoroughly instructed in the nomenclature, manipulation and use of working parts, care and use of the rifle, and sufficiently understands its mechanism to care for it and use it properly.
Sighting, aiming and position instruction, and also instruction in trigger squeeze, will be given by a competent officer or non-commissioned officer, and the company commander is required to be satisfied that this instruction has been thorough, and is understood, before the individual is permitted to advance to Gallery Practice.
All Gallery Practice and qualifications will be with the United States Magazine Rifle, model 1903, reduced to a .22 cal.
Paper targets and .22 cal. ammunition have heretofore been furnished to organi- zations.
All fire for record on the gallery rifle range shall be at a distance of 50 feet from the firing point to the target.
Gallery Practice Course.
The following course in Gallery Practice is prescribed :
No. of Shots.
Position
Possible
10 shots,
Prone,
50
5 shots,
Sitting,
25
5 shots,
Kneeling,
25
10 shots,
Standing,
50
-
30
150
No officer or enlisted man who has failed to qualify as first-classman, or better, in a previous season, shall be advanced to range practice until he has attained at least 90 points out of a possible 150 in the Gallery Practice course, by selecting his two best scores of 5 shots prone and standing and his best score kneeling and sitting.
Gallery Practice will not be required of men who have qualified as first-class men, or better, on the outdoor range during the preceding season.
Attention is directed to paragraphs 346 and 347, Small Arms Firing Manual,
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1913. Company commanders must exercise their every influence to have the enlisted men qualify in the Gallery Practice, so that they can be advanced to range practice.
II. OUT-DOOR PRACTICE. (KNOWN DISTANCE FIRING.)
The current season for outdoor rifle practice will open April 1, 1915, and close October 31, 1915.
Outdoor practice and qualification will be with the United States Magazine Rifle, model 1903, .30 cal.
Troops required to fire include all battalion staff officers, company officers, inspectors of small arms practice and all enlisted men of companies, except cooks.
Troops authorized but not required to fire include, (a) All other officers and en- listed men, except those of the medical department and chaplains. (b) All officers with more than ten years' commissioned, or combined commissioned and enlisted, service.
The qualification course is divided into Instruction Practice and Record Practice.
Instruction Practice.
Instruction Practice and the number of shots at each range upon which eligibility to advance to Record Practice is determined, are given in the following table :
INSTRUCTION PRACTICE COURSE
(Bulls-eye targets.)
Range.
Kind of Fire.
Time.
Position.
Shots.
Targets.
Possible.
200 yds.
Slow fire. .
No limit ..
10
A
5 Sitting, 5 Kneeling. ..
50
300 yds.
Slow fire.
No limit ..
5
A
Prone
25
500 yds.
Slow fire.
No limit ..
10
B
Prone
50
TARGET D. (Battle sight only will be used with this target.)
200 yds
Slow fire. .
No limit.
5
D
Kneeling
25
200 yds.
Rapid fire ..
1 minute.
5
D
Kneeling from standing.
25
300 yds.
Slow fire. .
No limit.
C7
D
Prone
25
300 yds
Rapid fire.
1 minute.
27
D
Prone from standing .. .
25
Total.
225
Each shot is marked in slow fire on target D. Rapid fire is conducted as pre- scribed in paragraph 110, Small Arms Firing Manual, 1913, except as to scores.
Each range of this course may be fired as many times as is necessary to insure proper instruction.
AT EACH RANGE A TOTAL of 60 PER CENT OF THE POSSIBLE IN EACH REQUIRED POSITION MUST BE ATTAINED BEFORE ADVANCEMENT TO THE NEXT RANGE.
Firing in Instruction Practice will be by scores of 5 consecutive shots. A score once begun will be completed unless accident or weather conditions interfere.
The following grades of qualification are obtained in Instruction Practice, by selective scores of 5 consecutive shots each :
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REPORT OF ADJUTANT GENERAL
1916.]
First Classman, . .150-Possible 225
Second Classman, . 130-Possible 225
Unqualified, . Below 130
No individual shall be advanced from Instruction Practice to Record Practice until he has attained the grade of first classmau, except as provided in the follow- ing paragraph :
INSTRUCTION PRACTICE WILL NOT BE REQUIRED OF THOSE WIIO HAVE QUALIFIED AS MARKSMEN, OR BETTER, IN TIIE SEASON IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING, AND THEY WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR RECORD PRACTICE WITHOUT SUCH INSTRUCTION PRACTICE.
After having qualified as first classman, the soldier may be given further pre- liminary practice at any range considered necessary to prepare him for Record Practice. This may include preliminary practice at 600 yards.
Record Practice.
Those eligible for Record Practice will fire the qualification course, as follows :
RECORD PRACTICE COURSE. (Bulls-eve target, slow fire.)
Range
Time
Shots
Target
Position.
300 yds.
No limit.
10
A
Prone
500 yds ..
No limit ..
10
B
Prone
600 yds., (2 S. S.) .
No limit ... . .
10
B
Prone
Sand bag rest will be used and two sighting shots allowed at 600 yds.
TARGET D, RAPID FIRE, BATTLE SIGHT.
200 yds ..
11% Minutes.
10
D
300 yds ..
.
2
Minutes.
10
D
Kneeling from standing. Prone from standing ....
This course may be fired three times in any target season, the individual's classification being determined by the best of his three trials ; but this provision shall not be construed to permit the formation of a record based on scores selected from two or more trials, as is done in Instruction Practice. The basis of classifica- tion in Record Practice must be the result of one complete course in each case.
Coaching is prohibited in Record Practice after the individual has taken his place at the firing point.
Instruction and Record Practice may be fired on the same day ; but a Record Practice trial once begun must be completed without further Instruction firing, but not necessarily in one day.
Qualification.
Qualification will be based on the results obtained in either the Record Practice, or in the Instruction Practice as follows :
COURSES
Expert
Sharpshooter
Marksman
1st Class
2nd Class
Unqualified
Possible
Instruction Practice.
150
130
*
225
Record Practice.
210
190
160
250
* Below 130.
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[W. VA.
Long Distance Practice.
Long Distance Practice will only be permitted those men who have qualified in the Record Practice as experts or sharp shooters. Long Distance Practice for record will consist of any selective score of ten consecutive shots each at 800 and 1000 yds., and will be conducted as set forth for slow fire, known distance, as follows :
Target C.
RANGE
Shots
Position
800 yards.
10
Prone
1,000 yards.
10
. Prone
No individual will be advanced to 1,000 yards until he has obtained a score of 40 or more points at 800 yards in any score of 10 consecutive shots.
When any individual has obtained a score of 85 points in the aggregate at 800 and 1000 yds., including a minimum of 40 at 800 yds., by selective scores of 10 consecutive shots, he shall be considered to be qualified iu long distance practice ; but this is not included in the table of classification recognized by the War De- partment, nor in the computation of the figure of merit.
When record firing at Long Distance Practice is so commenced, each group of 10 consecutive shots constitutes a string and must be so counted. It is not allowable to select any group of ten shots in a continuous line of more than ten shots and call such selected group a string.
Dress and Equipment.
The uniform and cartridge belt are required to be worn at outdoor target practice.
Holdover Qualifications.
Holdover qualifications will be limited to expert riflemen. An individual having attained this grade will retain that qualification for three consecutive target years, including the target season in which qualification was made. An individual en- titled to a holdover qualification as expert rifleman is authorized to fire the qualifi- cation courses, in which case he forfeits no rights to such holdover qualification. If during such subsequent fire he again qualify as an expert rifleman, his holdover privilege will begin from his latest qualification.
Figure of Merit.
There will be a figure of merit to be calculated by the method laid down by the Division of Militia AAffairs, as follows :
'T'he figure of merit for a company of Infantry will be computed by multiplying :
(a) The number of expert riflemen 120
(b) The number of sharpshooters by 110
(c) The number of marksmen by. 100
(d) The number of first-classmen by. 60
(e) The number of second-classmen by. 40
(f) The number of unqaulified men by. 0
and dividing the sum of the products thus obtained by the total number in the six classes provided the total number is over 6S. and by 68 when the total firing is 68 or less. Officers and enlisted men shall be included, but no company report shall include officers in excess of those authorized by militia regulations.
The regimental figures of merit shall be obtained by taking the total number in the different classes for the entire regiment, multiplying by the proper multiplier and dividing by the authorized minimum strength of officers and men where the strength of the organization equals or is below the minimum, and by actual num- ber in the organization where the total is in excess of the minimum strength. In computing the authorized minimum or actual strength for the regimental figure of merit, chaplains and medical officers will not be included. Those authorized but not required to fire will be included only when they do fire.
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REPORT OF ADJUTANT GENERAL
1916.]
The following data will be required in making up the figure of merit for the current year :
(a) Number of expert riflemen.
(b) Number of sharpshooters.
((*) Number of marksmen.
( d) Number of first-classmen.
(e) Number of second-classmen.
(f) Number of unqualified who fired and completed instruction course.
(g) Number of unqualified who fired but failed to complete instruction course.
(h) Total firing.
(i) Unqualified who failed to fire.
(j) Number borne on the rolls during the practice season.
(k) Figure of merit.
(1) Total qualifying in long range practice.
(m) Total qualifying in gallery practice.
(I) Total qualifying in pistol practice.
The National Trophy.
The National Trophy presented by the United States for excellence in target practice shall be awarded annually to the Company which attains the highest figure of merit. but this trophy shall not be awarded to any organization which fails to qualify as second classmen, or better, 75 per cent. of the total number of enlisted men borne on the rolls of the organization during the target practice season.
Firing Regulations to Govern.
Attention is directed to paragraphs 348, 349, 350, 353 and 355, Small Arms Firing Manual, 1913, under which range practice will be conducted.
Pistol Practice.
All officers and enlisted men armed with the pistol shall be instructed in the care, preservation and use of this arm.
The new Colt automatic pistol, .45 cal. has been adopted by the West Virginia National Guard, and all pistol practice and qualification will be with that arm.
The course prescribed is that laid down in Small Arms Firing Manual, 1913, paragraphs 167-175 inclusive. and known as the "Dismounted Course."
The following paragraphs taken from a paper prepared by Ensign C. E. Van- Hook, United States Navy, are deemed of value and are published for the best interests of the service.
Tue pas edvald be left on the firing line, breech open and clip out, when not in use.
(b) The shooter should not leave the firing point between strings. If more ammunition is needed, it should be brought to the shooter.
(c) When returning the slide to battery after loading a new clip, the finger must be kept clear of the trigger.
(d) As the clips hold seven rounds, and the string consists of only five there is always danger of one or more rounds remaining in the gun. Shooters are re- minded of the fact that the end of the string is marked by the breech remaining open and that the gun is loaded and dangerous till that time. Shooters, thinking they have finished the string at the fourth shot. have ejected the empty clip and left the pistol with the fifth round still in the chamber. The sure remedy for this mistake, and a precaution that should always be insisted upon, is to draw back and case down the slide and then snap the pistol at the target, thus making sure that both clip and chamber are empty.
(e) It should be remembered that the action of the pistol is entirely automatic and that after inserting a loaded clip and inserting the first round into the chamber, all that is necessary is to pull the trigger until the gun is empty. Shooters have been known to work the slide after each shot to load the gun again. The result was that out of five shots loaded into the clip, they get only three shots, every alternate round being ejected as they "load the gun again."
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[W. VA.
Reports and Blanks.
Forms Nos. 4, 4-a, 4-b, and 4-c. A. G. O., authorized by this order, will be used as a record of riffe practice and will. when assembled, form a complete record of the rifle practice of the organization.
Form No. 4-d, A. G. O., will be used by the Inspectors of Small Arms Practice in making up the consolidated report of the regiment.
Form No. 4-e, A. G. O., is prescribed as a combined form for Individual Record of Rifle Practice. This form will be furnished organization commanders, and the record of those required to take gallery practice will be certified thereon by the organization commander before the men are advanced to outdoor practice. Where the soldier is advanced to Record Practice without Instruction Practice by reason of having qualified as marksman or better in the season immediately preceding, the organization commander will certify this fact in the space provided for this purpose.
Form No. 4-f. A. G. O., is prescribed as a form for Individual Record of Pistol Practice.
Organization commanders will, within fifteen days after the close of the practice season, make up three copies each of Forms Nos. 4, 4-a, 4-b and 4-c, one copy to be forwarded to the Adjutant General, one to the Inspector of Small Arms Practice of the regiment and the other to be retained by the organization commander ; and will make such other reports on rifle and pistol practice as are required by the Inspector of Small Arms Practice.
The Inspector of Small Arms Practice of the regiment will, upon receipt of re- ports of riffe practice from the company commanders, make up two copies as re- quired by Form No. 4-d, one copy to be forwarded to the Adjutant General, the other copy to be retained by him.
Rifle Ranges.
Rifle ranges owned or leased by the State, or leased by the United States Dis- bursing Officer for the State, will be open for outdoor practice throughout the current season.
The employment of civilian caretakers is authorized at such rifle ranges, at a rate of pay not to exceed $60.00 per month during the range practice season, such caretakers to be paid from Federal funds alloted to the State under sec. 1661, R. S., which have been set aside for "Promotion of Rifle Practice."
Organization commanders within reach of these ranges, or having company ranges, are urged to have their commands fire the Instruction Practice in part or in its en- tirety, whenever practicable, in order that they may be advanced to Record Practice without further firing at the Annual Rifle Camp of Instruction.
By order of THE GOVERNOR, JOHN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, April 15, 1915.
General Orders.
No. 7.
1. Pursuant to section 85, Military Code, company commanders are authorized to enlist Contributing Members not to exceed 150 to each company.
2. The term of enlistment of such Contributing Members shall be one year or longer, and no person so enlisted shall be under twenty-one years of age. No medical examination will be required. Enlistment of such members shall be ou Form No. 1-a, A. G. O.
3. The annual dues of Contributing Members shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00) per year, payable at the time of enlistment. Such dues shall be forwarded with the applicant's enlistment paper to The Adjutant General, who will issue certificates of membership to those whose applications are approved. The fee collected on account of annual dues of a Contributing member will be paid into the State Treasury and placed to the credit of the company to which such member is assigned, and will
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REPORT OF ADJUTANT GENERAL
1916.]
constitute a fund payable upon requisition of the company commander, approved by The Adjutant General.
4. No active military duty will be required of Contributing Members.
By order of THE GOVERNOR, JOHN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
4
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, May 1, 1915.
General Orders.
No. S.
Pursuant to section 16, Military Code, the following commission is announced, effective this date :
To be Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Corps :
Major Joseph E. Robins, Medical Corps.
Assigned for duty as Chief Surgeon.
By order of THE GOVERNOR, JOHN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, May 10, 1915.
General Orders.
No. 9.
Upon his personal request, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph E. Robins, Medical Corps, is relieved from duty as Chief Surgeon and is transferred to the Supernumerary List, effective this date.
By order of THE GOVERNOR, JOIIN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, May 25, 1915.
General Orders. No. 10.
Permission is hereby granted the Organized Militia of the several States and Territories and the District of Columbia to enter aud pass through the State of West Virginia, armed and equipped, for the purpose of proceeding to and return- ing from the joint camps for military maneuvers, the National Rifle Matches. at Jacksonville, Florida, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, at San Fran- cisco, California, and the Panama-California Exposition, at San Diego, California, during the year 1915.
By order of THE GOVERNOR, JOHN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, June 1, 1915.
General Orders. No. 11.
1. Effective this date, the weekly drill pay authorized by paragraph 2, G. O. No. 26, A. G. O., 1914, and discontinued by G. O. No. 4, A. G. O., 1915, will be authorized for all organizations and will continue until pay has been received for twenty-four drills, as provided in said G. O. No. 26 ; provided that no such drill pay
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STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
[W. VA.
shall be allowed for drills held after the beginning of the annual summer encamp- ments for 1915.
2. Payrolls will be made up and forwarded, as prescribed in said paragraph 2, G. O. No. 26, A. G. O., 1914.
By order of TIIE GOVERNOR, JOHN C. BOND, The Adjutant General.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, June 7, 1915.
General Orders.
No. 12.
1. A Field Camp of Instruction for the First and Second Infantry, West Vir- ginia National Guard, season 1915, will be held at Parkersburg, West Virginia, August 9th to 18th, inclusive.
Attached Sanitary Troops will serve with each regimental organization for the same period.
2. Orders covering the movements of the organizations by rail will be issued later.
3. During such encampment the officers and organizations attending the same, who have not had their outdoor target practice for the current season, will par- ticipate in rifle and pistol practice, such practice to be governed by G. O. No. 6, A. G. O., dated March 21, 1915, and (j), par. 5, Circ. No. 17, D. M. A., 1914.
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