Mass physical training for use in the army and the Reserve officers' training corps

Front matter

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Foreword

The text of this book has been prepared by Doctor Joseph E. Ray croft, who was chairman of the Athletic Division of the War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities, and as such, under the supervision of the Training and Instruction Branch of the War Plans Division of the General Staff, had charge of the physical upbuilding of the great force which the United States contributed to the World War and which constitutes a remarkable chapter in the history of the military operations of our Country.

Under his direction, millions of men to whom physical training and athletics had been a sealed book, were introduced to the advantages of systematic physical development. Hundreds of thousands of them were taught for the first time how to combine health-giving exercise with play in the form of athletic games and sports. It furnished a striking demonstration of the value of such activities in the basic training of the soldiers.

Months were spent in experimenting with and testing out systems and schemes of training and instructing in the subjects covered. In this work Dr. Ray croft was assisted by the best talent available — masters in every phase of physical culture and development. Experts in every field of athletics and sports joined with him in placing their years of experience at the disposal of our military forces. For the first time in military history losses from sickness and disease were less than those from bullets, an achievement, due in no small measure, to the magnificient physique with which our soldiers, in consequence of their physical training, entered the struggle.

Out of all of these activities much valuable experience has been gained and a great mass of material has been accumulated. Dr. Raycroft has undertaken to preserve his experience and that of his assistants in a permanent form. This book is the result, and is based on the work of the divisional and central schools of physical and bayonet training in operation during iv Foreword

the war and after the Armistice was signed. In so doing, he has conferred a lasting benefit on our manhood, a benefit which the War Department sincerely desires to recognize and promote.

This book was submitted to the War Department for publication as an official document; but in view of the delays that would probably be involved under this plan, it was decided that Dr. Raycroft should be requested to publish the book privately under his own name, so that it might be available at the earliest possible moment for use in the army.

To this end, this book has the approval of the War Plans Division of the General Staff. Its contents will form the basis for the training and instruction of the military service of the United States in the subjects included.

It is highly recommended for use at all institutions where physical, athletic, and recreational training are carried on.

W. G. Haan,

Major General, General Staff.

December 22, 1919. Chief, War Plans Division.

Introduction

The value of physical fitness in a soldier has always been recognized as of prime importance. The programs of physical training that were commonly used in modern armies before the war consisted in the main of calisthenics and made little if any systematic use of the other phases of physical training and athletics. These calisthenic drills when well taught have a real value in securing good posture and accurate response to the spoken order. This, of course, is of great importance in the early training of a recruit, but at best represents only the primary grade in a soldier's training.

One of the most important of the many lessons which have come from the war is the demonstration of the fact that other types of physical activities besides calisthenics are not only extremely useful in the contribution which they make in the development of important soldierly qualities, but that they are capable of being used as an integral part of the formal program of training. Group games, wrestling, boxing, hand-to-hand fighting and other personal contact drills give the soldier a kind of training which he can get in no other way short of battle experience. The inclusion of such activities in the regular training gives to the recruit, in a very effective way and in a relatively short space of time, an invaluable mental and physical experience and contributes greatly to the development of confidence and effectiveness in combat. In other words, activities of this type are an essential supplement to the disciplinary training received from the close order drill.

The difference between the trained recruit and the seasoned soldier is not alone a question of physical strength, endurance and general fitness, but it is also one of mental attitude. The seasoned soldier has, through a long experience, acquired confidence in his own resourcefulness and ability to take care of himself either with or without his weapons. This mental attitude which characterizes the seasoned campaigner is, in the vi Introduction

majority of cases, dependent upon the type of active service which he may have experienced, and has been in the past of slow growth and largely a matter of chance.

It is of course recognized that there is nothing like actual field and battle experience to develop soldierly qualities. On the other hand, and this is the crux of the whole matter, the experience of the armies during the war has demonstrated that it is possible, through a comprehensive program of physical training, to bring the recruit very much closer to the standard of the seasoned soldier as regards mental and physical preparedness than it was by the old methods.

Furthermore, this all-round physical training provides a progressive and systematic experience in simple wrestling, personal contact drills, boxing, and vigorous hand-to-hand competitions that have proved to be a most important factor in developing those qualities and elements of character which are based in large part upon physical experience, and which give poise, confidence, determination, and individual initiative in an emergency.

The problem of the Army was, and is, a double one — First, to give recruits such a course of Physical Training as will develop bodily control and alertness and will render them capable of acquiring and using the professional technique of a soldier in the shortest time possible; and, second, to systematize and promote those forms of physical training that are recreative in their nature and that promote the development of individual leadership, group loyalty, contentment, and a pride in physical efficiency.

Every officer who has had front-line experience has scores of times seen a demonstration of the value of quickening exercises and simple athletic games as a means of restoring the soldier to a normal mental and physical condition and of preventing morbidness and homesickness after a long tour of duty in the front lines.

The training material in this manual has been collected from many sources, both native and foreign, and no hesitation has been shown in adopting or adapting methods that have

Introduction vii

been found useful in the armies of our allies, nor in trying out any procedure that seemed to have merit and promised results.

This manual is compiled for the purpose of making the material and experience available in permanent form for use in training the Army and the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

The program outlined has been successfully tried out, as a whole or in part, under the most severe conditions during the intensive training in this country, in the camps in France since the Armistice, and in the R.O.T.C. camps during the past summer. The testimony as to the value of this comprehensive program of physical training as an essential part of the army training under these widely varying conditions is positive and unmistakable. The principles upon which the work is based are sound and furnish a firm foundation upon which to build the future work in the Army in the basic training of soldiers. The types of activities chosen and the contribution which each class of work makes to the object sought, may be stated briefly as follows:

i. Physical Drill — for disciplinary training and education in body control, and not for exercise as such. The. daily program of the soldier, comprising as it does seven or eight hours of active outdoor work, provides all the physical exercise that is required to make and keep him physically fit. The emphasis then in this drill should be placed upon securing good posture, freedom of movement and accurate snappy response to commands.

2. Group Games introduced into the formal program give to the soldier a type of training in which he gets orders just as truly as he does in his formal drill, except that these orders are expressed in terms of rapidly changing conditions during the progress of the game. His repeated effort, spurred on by emotional stimulus and the spirit of competition, to adapt himself quickly and successfully to these changing conditions, gives him an intensive training in alertness, discrimination and determination. This training is even more mental and psychic than it is physical.

3. Drills in Personal Contact, such as wrestling, boxing, and hand-to-hand fighting, develop concentration of attention, viii Introduction

mental and physical alertness, a spirit of aggressiveness and confidence, and the ability and willingness to carry on in spite of punishment.

4. Individual Efficiency Tests, and the drill in the various events, stimulate the soldier to make the effort to attain a certain fixed standard, and serve also to call the attention of the Commanding Officer to those weak and inefficient men who need special attention and work to enable them to overcome their deficiencies.

5. Mass Athletics and Competitive Games — either as a part of the formal program or as a leisure time activity — have great value in the development of group loyalty, team work and leadership.

6. Bayonet Training — is invaluable in the basic training of soldiers in all branches of the service as a means of developing confidence, determination, and a fighting spirit.

In other words, this comprehensive plan of physical training makes it possible to carry the recruit far beyond the point of soldierly efficiency acquired through close order drill alone, and develops in him those fundamental qualities of resourcefulness, leadership and fighting spirit, which characterize the high-grade, seasoned soldier.

To secure the greatest benefits for the Army from this work two things are necessary: First, to include it as a part of the basic training of every officer so that he will be as well qualified for leadership in the full program of physical training as he is in close order drill; and, second, to provide in a central school or in the service schools advanced courses that will train and qualify experts who will serve as inspecting instructors and thus keep the work on a high plane of efficiency.

I am glad to make in this place hearty acknowledgement of the most valuable assistance and cooperation rendered by a large number of Civilians and Officers. I am especially indebted to all the Athletic Directors, Special Instructors and Physical Training Officers who contributed so generously of their technical training and experience and whose work in the Camps made

Introduction ix

it possible to organize this system and put it into operation during the war; to Major J. E. Drain, Captain C, L. B rosins, Lieutenant Brooke Leman, Mr. Geo. Huff and Mr. Fred W. Luehring of the staff of the Physical and Bayonet Training School established at Camp Benning after the Armistice; to Colonel Murray, Colonel W. H. Waldron and Lieutenant Colonel Elvid Hunt of the Training Section, General Staff; to Major Elliott V. Graves, Education and Recreation Branch — War Plans Division; and finally to Major John L. Griffith, Executive Officer, Athletic Division, Commission on Training Camp Activities, and Senior Instructor, Special Course in Physical and Bayonet Training, Camp Benning, September, 1919; Captain Thomas J. Browne, Senior Instructor, Central School of Physical and Bayonet Training, Camp Gordon, Ga., 1918; M. J. Gibbons, Instructor of Boxing and Hand-to-Hand Fighting, School of Physical and Bayonet Training, Camp Gordon, 1918; George V. Blake, Instructor of Boxing and Hand-to-Hand Fighting, Physical and Bayonet Training School, Camp Benning, 1919; Dr. Norman B. Tooker, Athletic Division, Commission on Training Camp Activities; Jonathan A. Butler, Secretary, Athletic Division, Commission on Training Camp Activities, who have been so intimately associated in the development and administration of this whole plan, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for most efficient work and unfailing loyalty and support.

Joseph E. Raycroft.

^ XIV.

Contents

a PAGE

Purpose of Work and Standards for Judging Progress 1

Games Adapted for Use as a Part of the Formal Drill Period 34

CHAPTER I Purpose of Work and Standards for Judging Progress

PURPOSE OF WORK

The object of the course in physical and bayonet training is to give the recruit in the shortest practicable time an intensive, all-round training which will develop in him those qualities and abilities that characterize the trained, experienced soldier. This object may be analyzed under four heads: (1) Bearing; (2) Physical and mental control; (3) Ability in personal combat; and (4) All-round physical efficiency. The progress of the recruit in training may be judged by his ability to meet these standards.

i. Bearing: Well poised, neat appearance, alert, selfrespecting and well disciplined, smart and effective in all movements.

2. Physical and Mental Control: Well coordinated, instant in response to commands, quickness of decision, initiative, persistence, shiftiness, resourcefulness, willingness to give and take punishment, nerve, strength, and endurance.

3. Ability in Personal Combat: A good knowledge of the fundamentals of boxing, wrestling, and hand-to-hand fighting, skill in the use of the bayonet and in disarming and disabling methods, ability to acquit himself creditably in a three-round bout with a skilled boxer of his own weight.

4. All-round Physical Efficiency: To be trained to such a state of physical efficiency that he will be able to qualify in the following tests :

1. 100 yards in 14 seconds.

2. Running broad jump of 12 feet.

3. Climb (unassisted) an 8 -foot smooth wall.

4. Throw a hand grenade 30 yards into a circle 10 feet

in diameter.

5. Run over a standard obstacle course (description on

page 38) in good time — 30 seconds.

The application of the foregoing tests from time to time during the course (modified to suit the period of training) will serve to give a basis for judgment as to the effectiveness of the work and the rate of progress of the individual recruit. It will, at the same time, furnish interest and stimulus to the men in training.

Men who can pass the above standards and tests — bearing, mental and physical control, ability in personal combat, and the physical efficiency tests — will be able to acquire the technique of the various phases of military training in the shortest possible time.

The Best Period for Work : The work in physical and bayonet training should be given in two daily periods of not less than one hour each; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The morning period should come not less than an hour and a half after the morning meal. The program should consist of formal setting-up drill, group games, boxing, personal contact drill, line wrestling, quickening and skirmishing exercises, hand-to-hand righting, and bayonet drill. The afternoon period should end not less than half an hour before retreat and should consist of mass athletics, training for physical efficiency tests, and other competitive activities.

Costume : The uniform worn during these drills and competitions should be one which gives freedom of bodily movement and is not easily injured by coming in contact with the ground.

Size of Unit for Instruction: The platoon is the best unit for regular instruction, but every week or two, companies or entire battalions should be brought together for setting-up drills and mass training in boxing and hand-to-hand fighting, in order to develop esprit de corps and the habit of mass action. (See Fig. 1.)

Singing and Voice Training: Singing, and voice training by "self-command," should be utilized to add interest to the work

Purpose of Work and to give the recruits ability and confidence in the use of their own voices.

Qualities of Instructors: Instructors in physical and bayonet training should be specially trained and qualified junior officers or non-commissioned officers who should be the embodiment of physical efficiency, enthusiasm, and leadership. They must be prepared to demonstrate and take part in the actual performance of the work as well as to give commands. They must be thoroughly familiar with, and proficient in, all phases of the work they are directing.

Fig. 1.

Arrangement of Program : The programs of work must be so arranged as to give a proper amount of time to each phase of training and to furnish a progression for the purpose of securing greater speed, vigor, and accuracy in the performance of the movements. It has been found practicable to apportion time about as follows:

Daily [on prescribed drill days] setting up drill, 25 to 10 minutes; personal contest drill, 5 to 10 minutes; group games, boxing, physical efficiency tests, or hand-to-hand fighting, 10 to 15 minutes; or bayonet fighting and quickening and skirmishing exercises, 30 minutes.

The program as regards selection of activity and time assigned to each branch of work, will be modified by the progress of the group being trained. It is generally advisable to conduct a given program for at least one week without change.

Chapter II

Scope: The scope of the setting-up drill is limited to movements and combinations of movements that are simple, can be used without apparatus, are easily learned, and that are adapted to camp and field conditions.

Purpose: The purpose of this drill is to give the recruit as an individual a general, fundamental training in body control, good posture in every movement, and the ability to respond instantly and accurately to the spoken command. It will also transform an untrained mob into an orderly disciplined group.

Value: The value of this drill is primarily educational and disciplinary, so that the emphasis should be placed upon gaining this result rather than upon giving movements for exercise and development. The feeling of fitness and the confidence in his ability to perform the movement called for by the command, which results from a carefully arranged and administered series of drills, encourage the growth in the recruit of self-confidence, mental and physical alertness, and an erect, soldierly bearing. In other words, setting-up drills furnish a most important element in the basic training of the recruit and the development of personal efficiency and soldierly qualities.

Guiding Principles in Teaching: 1. Commands should, so far as possible, call for movements that involve useful coordinations and should aim to build up natural automatisms rather than to execute all possible forms of gymnastics.

2. The progression, then, should aim for an increase in accuracy, vigor, promptness of response, and improved posture rather than to the performance of complex combinations of movements. The trunk movements should be graded from the easy to the more difficult.

* Adapted from Major Koehler's Field Physical Training. 4

3. Contracorrective movements should not be given; that is, exercises which further lengthen muscles already too long or shorten muscles already too short. In other words, there should be no lifting or rolling forward of the shoulders, or bending forward of the head or neck, or hollowing of the back.

4. Main stress should be placed on exercises of the muscles of the neck, upper trunk and spine, which have most to do with posture. The minimum amount of time should be given to the legs, as they can be trained in a more useful and effective way in vigorous games and athletic activities.

5. Sections and their instructors prefer exercises with which they are familiar, provided they are well taught and performed well. They like but little change. Hence, put the basic or key movements in the early lessons and build very slowly on them, and only in the way of increasing the speed of response, strength or endurance required, and not in mastering peculiar, complex combinations.

6. The setting-up drill should not occupy more than twelve to fifteen minutes. Short, snappy drills full of "pep" and enthusiasm are much better than longer periods, which tend to become monotonous.

7. Emphasize correct breathing. Use the "self-command" drill after the fifth or sixth week to stimulate confidence in the use of the voice and to develop interest.

8. Require recruits to hold a given position in a drill only long enough to permit correction of faults, but avoid overstrain.

9. The movements should seldom be done in cadence but only by the executive command or by numbers — each position being held (in the early lessons) until the instructor sees that it is correct. This will enable faults in posture to be detected and immediate correction made. It is strongly recommended that occasionally when movements are being given by the numbers that the tempo be changed without warning in order to secure attention and develop smartness of response to unexpected changes.

10. The commands and positions called for should be strictly observed. Strive for the precision, uniformity and smartness required of the soldier in the manual of arms or the close order drill. The movements which are strictly corrective of poor posture have been placed early in each lesson. These corrective positions are to be emphasized and held to the command. They raise and expand the chest and bring about rapid improvement in posture.

METHOD OF EXTENDING ORGANIZATION FOR SETTING-UP DRILL

First Formation : Column of squads, to eight paces interval between organizations (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

At the command "Extend to the left" arms are brought to the position of thrust (Fig. 3).

At the command "March," class extends rapidly to the left to full arm's length distance (Fig. 4).

At the command "At ease" the left leg is carried to left side, hands clasped in rear of body. Caution: Head remains erect, body leaning slightly forward so as to carry the weight of the body on the toes. Chest remains arched. This position is to be assumed between exercises as a rest period (Fig. 5).

Fig.

Correct Salute. Note all details of this pose (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6. Fig. 7.

Correct Salute. Note all details of this pose (Fig. 7),

~

STARTING POSITIONS

Position of Attention. No. 1. The starting positions to be used at the opening of each period of disciplinary gymnastics. There are two kinds of commands — preparatory and executive. The preparatory command describes and specifies what is desired, and the executive command calls what has been described into action.

Disciplinary exercises — two minutes, including starting positions. They are composed of going from "at ease" or "rest" to the position of attention and the facings. Where these are followed by a few snappy executions of the starting

positions, the mind of the recruit is concentrated upon the

work to follow.

Starting positions — one minute, going from one to another,

with accuracy, snap, and speed (Fig. 8).

Arms Forward — Raise. Caution: Hands remain separated by the width of the chest (Fig. 9).

Arms sideward — place (Fig. 10).

Arms upward — place (Fig. 11).

Hands on shoulders — place (Fig. 12).

Hands on hips — place: This position should be done with the palm fitting comfortably over the pelvic bone FiG 9

at the side, and not with the thumbs

almost together in back. The last position, in the recruit, tends to increase the hollow in the back and to force the stomach forward (Fig. 13).

Setting-lip Drill i

Fig. IS

To the thrust — raise (Fig. 14). Arms down (Fig. 15).

LESSON NO. i

(a) Starting Positions.

(b) Arms forward — raise. S.P.

1. Arms sideward — move.

Arms to thrust — raise. S.P.

1. Arms forward — thrust.

Arms sideward (palms up) — place. S.P.

Repeat three times, lifting the chest high. (See Fig. 16.) Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Head to the right, protruding the jaw, raising

chest — turn.

2. Recover. Emphasize count of "two."

i2 Mass Physical Training

Arms sideward, with straddle — place. S.P.

1. Trunk (sideward), hands on shoulders — bend.

Alternate right and left. (See Fig. 17.)

... •

Hands on shoulders — place. S.P.

1. Half bend knees extending arms forward — bend.

Arms to thrust— raise. S.P.

1. Trunk, quarter bend, with arms sideward — bend.

3. Knees quarter bend with arms upward — bend.

Deep breathing with heels and arms raising.

(a) Starting Positions.

(b) Arms to thrust — raise. S.P.

1. Arms forward — thrust.

3. Arms upward — thrust.

Arms sideward (palms up) — place. S.P.

Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Trunk to right — bend.

3. Trunk to left — bend.

Attention. S.P.

1. On heels — rise.

3. On toes — rise.

4. Recover. 1 and 3 executed rapidly.

Arms sideward — place. S.P.

1. Trunk forward, with hands on shoulders — bend.

Hands on shoulders — place. S.P.

Note. — This is an exaggerated backward bending of the head. The head moves first followed by upper back. Avoid increasing the bend in the small of the back. (See Fig. 18.)

Arms to thrust — raise. S.P.

1. Arms upward, knuckles out — thrust.

2. Arms down and backward with force — swing.

Arms backward — cross. S.P.

1. Trunk forward (half bend) — bend.

3. Knees half bend.

4. Recover. "Two" and "Four" executed rapidly. Side straddle position — hop. S.P.

1. Arms forward — raise.

2. Arms sideward, bending both knees — swing.

Deep breathing with heels and arms raising.

(a) Starting Positions.

1. Arms forward — stretch.

2. Arms sideward — stretch.

3. Arms forward — stretch.

Arms sideward (palms up) — place. S.P.

Repeat three times, lifting the chest high. (See Fig. 16.) Hands on shoulders — place. S.P.

1. Head to the right, extending arms sideward

palms up — twist.

3. Head to the left, extending arms sideward palms

up — twist.

Mass P h y s i c a 1 Training

Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Trunk forward, hands on shoulders — bend.

3. Trunk forward, arms sideward — bend.

Hands on shoulders — place. S.P.

1. Right stride extending arms upward.

3. Right stride extending arms forward.

4. Recover. (Alternate with left leg.)

Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Right knee upward, with arms sideward, palms

up — place.

3. Left knee upward, with arms sideward, palms

up — place.

Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Extending right leg forward depressing toe, left

knee — bend.

3. Extending left leg forward, right knee — bend.

Arms sideward — raise. S.P.

1. Palms up, fingers spread.

2. Turning palms down, fists — clench.

3. Return to position one.

Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Rising on toes extending arms upward — stretch.

Note. — On count 1 use all force going upward, on count 2 recover lightly on heels.

Breathing exercises.

(a) Starting Positions.

1. Arms upward, palms to the front — swing.

Hands on shoulders — place. S.P.

Repeat three times, lifting the chest high.

Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Trunk forward, extending right leg to the rear-

bend.

3. Position of 1, extending left leg.

Arms to thrust — raise. S.P.

1. Arms forward, raising right leg — thrust.

3. To the position of 1, raising left leg.

Hands on shoulders — place. S.P.

(See note in lesson 2, and Fig. 18.)

Attention. S.P.

1. Arms upward, palms in — place.

2. Arms sideward — place.

Squatting position — squat. S.P.

1. Right leg sideward, knee stiff, toes depressed —

place.

2. Recover. (Alternate with left leg.)

Arms to thrust — raise. S.P.

1. Arms sideward, turning head to right — place.

3. To the position of 1, turning head to left.

4. Recover.

Breathing exercises.

(a) Starting Positions.

(b) Arms sideward — raise. S.P.

1. Arms upward, rising on toes — raise.

Arms sideward — place. S.P.

1. Trunk sideward with hands on shoulders — bend.

2. Recover. (Alternate right and left.)

Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Trunk forward — bend.

Arms sideward (palms up) — place. S.P.

Arms backward — cross. S.P.

1. Head to the right, forcing jaw outward — turn.

2. Recover rapidly. Alternate.

Arms to thrust — raise. S.P.

1. Right arm forward, left arm sideward — thrust.

3. Alternate.

Hands on shoulders — place. S.P.

Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Heels — raise.

2. Knees full bend — bend.

3. Position of 1.

(See Fig. 21.) Breathing exercises.

(a) Starting Positions.

(b) Arms to thrust — raise. S.P.

1. Arms upward, quarter bend knees — place.

Hands on shoulders — place. S.P.

2. Recover. (See note in Lesson No. 2 and

Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Knees — half bend.

2. Right leg to the rear, toe touching ground, knee

stiff — place.

3. Recover rapidly to position of 1.

Alternate.

Arms sideward (palms up) — place. S.P.

Repeat three times, lifting the chest high.

Sitting position — sit down. S.P. Arms backward cross. Trunk bending forward, keeping back straight.

1. Legs sideward — place.

Sitting position — sit down. S. P.

Note: Position as above.

1. Right leg, toes depressed — raise slowly.

2. Recover. (Leg should be lowered slowly without

striking the ground.) Alternate.

Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Hop in place four counts.

2. To right — turn. Hop in place four counts.

3. To right — turn. Hop in place four counts.

4. To right — turn. Hop in place four counts. Front

position.

Note. — Men count and continue the exercise. Breathing exercises.

(a) Starting Positions.

(b) Hands on hips — place. S.P.

1. Head backward, extending arms downward, keep

chest high — bend.