Από την Κρήτη εθελοντής στον Αμερικανικό Στρατό., item 46

• November 1, 2018 07:23:10 Anastasia Ioannou

     I have often heard private soldiers discussing the

  pro’s and con's of their position. They either fail

  utterly to realize their collective value or they place

  themselves upon pinnacles of outraged importance

  where they deliver certain judgments upon Officer

  So-and-So, some fellow, perhaps, who is anxious to

  do his duty he overdoes it a little. These men only

  need to have the truth pointed out to them by those

  whom they trust and such misunderstandings can

  be eliminated. Naturally there are chronic

  grumblers whom no amount of explanations gratify.

  They are hopeless and their punishment will consist

  in getting all the dirty work in camp and elsewhere.

     A thing of vast importance is the spreading of

  this feeling of loyalty. If you are one of the

  fellows who spread sunshine everywhere, get busy

  and see that it permeates the dark recesses of these

  grumblers' minds. Get after them day and night and

  show them by your example how much better their

  meals will taste if they get the dark brown out of

  their mouths which comes with dissatisfaction.

     Close-order drill is primarily intended for disci-

  ­pline, and once it is thoroughly understood you

  will find it much easier to obey commands promptly

  and effectively. Your squad and your company are

  your most immediate units. They are formed for a

  good purpose, a necessary one; become an efficient

  part of them and by your excellence help improve

  their working possibilities.

     It is indeed true that the soldier is the company.

  He is the material which is thrown in shape for a

  definite purpose and he must make it his duty to see

  that he is a credit to it, and also that his company-

  ­ions are the same. If you are an athlete of some

  standing, get out and win laurels that will react

  favorably upon the standing of your company. You

  will be surprised to see how quickly the good men

  flock to a company where there is some spirit and

  achievement. Make your company known in the

  army for some definite thing which you can do

  
  

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