Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 / To be used by Engineer companies (dismounted) and Coast Artillery companies for Infantry instruction and training

by United States. War Department

Section 3. Making Camp.

On reaching the camp site the men should be allowed to fall out and rest as soon as the arms have been stacked and the shelter tents pitched. If the blanket rolls have been carried on the wagons, then the location of the front poles of the shelter tents should be marked before they are allowed to fall out. The men will not be allowed to relieve themselves until sinks are dug. Temporary sinks may be dug with intrenching tools, if carried. A guard should be placed over the water supply at once.

As soon as the shelter tents are pitched the company proceeds to the remainder of the camp work in accordance with a permanent assignment similar to the following:

One squad helps arrange the kitchen.

One squad pitches the officers' tents.

One squad digs the sink.

One squad procures wood and water.

One squad is held available for details from regimental headquarters.

The officers and first sergeant supervise the work.

The sinks are located by the commanding officer. The detail to dig them should wait until informed of the location. An officer should inspect the sink as soon as the detail reports it as completed.

After the camp has been put in order the first sergeant makes the details from roster for kitchen police and noncommissioned officer in charge of quarters for the next day and for such guard as may be ordered for that day.

The details called for by regimental headquarters for pitching the headquarters camp for the quartermaster, etc., should be reported to the adjutant without delay.

The cooks pitch their tent at that end of the company street nearest the kitchen. Space must be left for this tent if the cooks are not in ranks when the company pitches tents. Unless lunch has been carried or cooked during the march, the cooks should get to work on a hot meal as soon as possible. The kitchen police report at the kitchen as soon as their tent is pitched. Wood and water will be required at once.

Officers should avoid keeping the men unnecessarily under arms or on their feet after a hard day's march.

When the details of making camp have been completed, all men should at once care for their rifles and feet. (For details as to the care of the rifle see Chapter II Section 1, for the care of the feet see Chapter IV.)