ARMY SCHOOLS. Schools for the educa tion of non-commissioned officers and men and their children. In the United States they are known as Post Schools. The most important factor in the making of a thoroughly efficient soldier is a good education. Modern war tactics place more and noire responsibility on the in dividual soldier, and the comparative distance, which the private often is, in action, from those from whom he usually takes his orders, makes it absolutely essential that he he trained in the proper use of every faculty. Non-commissioned officers are the backbone of the modern army, so that what is strongly encouraged in the private is an imperative necessity in their case. In all the armies of to-day, the most exacting and rigid examinations are compulsory for all soldiers desirous of promotion. in the British and most of the Continental armies, the education of the soldier is compulsory up to a certain point. and is strongly encouraged beyond that. The educa tional test always precedes the military or purely professional examination, without the successful passing of which, the latter is impossible. To such a high degree of efficiency in fact have these nations brought this branch, that it is possible fur a soldier to enlist, absolutely illiterate, and at the conclusion of his service, leave with the equivalent of a civil college education. In Ger many, opportunities for technical mechanical education are also available. Schoolmasters are
a part of their army system and are classified for purposes of pay and promotion. In the United States the post school is the direct con cern of the officer commanding the post. Efficient officers are assigned as instructors, and, when necessary, enlisted men possessing the required qualifications are detailed for this purpose, in the proportion of not exceeding one to every fifteen men attending school. If there is a chaplain stationed at the post, he is usually placed in charge. The general supervision of army schools is directed from the headquarters of the respective department commanders, but their official inspection is performed by officers of the inspector-general's department. Post schools for the children of soldiers are also main tained where the immber needing such instruc tion is sufficient, and where schools outside the post are not available; at these schools the at tendance for the children of officers is optional, and for the children of non-commissioned officers and men compulsory. Children of citizens living outside the post are allowed to attend, but are expected, if able, to pay a small rate therefor. In the case of enlisted men, the Government sup plies all the books necessary.