[14]. Handiness. The average man does one thing well. He is more or less apt to be clumsy about doing other things. The soldier is constantly called upon to do all sorts of things, and he has to do all of them well. His hands thus become trained and useful to him, and his mind gets into the habit of making his hands do what is required of them,—that is to say, the soldier becomes handy.
Handy arms are a valuable asset.
[15]. Self-control. In the work of the soldier, control does not stop with the hands.
The mind reaches out,—control of the body becomes a habit. The feet, legs, arms and body gradually come under the sway of the mind. In the position of the soldier, for instance, the mind holds the body motionless. In marching, the mind drives the legs to machine-like regularity. In shooting, the mind assumes command of the arms, hands, fingers and eye, linking them up and making them work in harmony.
Control of the body, together with the habit of discipline that the soldier acquires, leads to control of the mind,—that is, to self-control.
Self-control is an important factor in success in any walk of life.
[16]. Loyalty. Loyalty to his comrades, to his company, to his battalion, to his regiment becomes a religion with the soldier. They are a part of his life. Their reputation is his; their good name, his good name; their interests, his interests,—so, loyalty to them is but natural, and this loyalty soon extends to loyalty in general.
When you say a man is loyal the world considers that you have paid him a high tribute.
[17]. Orderliness. In the military service order and system are watchwords. The smooth running of the military machine depends on them.
The care and attention that the soldier is required to give at all times to his clothes, accouterments, equipment and other belongings, instill in him habits of orderliness.