If, beside the colonel, the regiment has three or more thoroughly competent officers, the colonel will not require the others to attend officers’ school but will order schools for non-commissioned officers with these others as instructors. The classes should not be larger than one composed of all the non-commissioned officers of a battalion and, if instructors are available, those of only two or three companies should form a class.
The work of this class will be largely confined to Infantry Drill Regulations. First the drill then combat and covering detachments must be fully explained and the principles of patrolling taught. If time is available these schools will also take up other subjects taught in our regular indoor course. Care must be taken not to give the men more in one lesson than they can learn.
If there be one, and less than three, competent instructors for these non-commissioned officers, a class will be formed in each battalion and only two sessions held weekly for each, the instructor taking them in turn. Lessons in this case may be longer but the work cannot be so well done.
If there be no one available except the colonel, each captain will be required to have a school in his company at the most convenient hour and try to transmit to the men what he has learned in the officers’ school.
The following instruction should be given by demonstration or by talks given to the men assembled and sitting.
Talks and demonstrations
Part of it will be given by battalion, part by company, 2 and 4 should be given by squad or platoon, the leaders having first been instructed. In the schedule this instruction is designated by the word “verbal”. Its value will depend on the instructor.
List of subjects for instruction by talks and demonstrations:
1. General duties of a soldier. His relation to his officers. System of discipline. Military courtesy. Customs of service as they relate to him. An outline of organization. Encourage the class to ask questions on the subject in hand and kindred subjects and then answer them.
2. The rifle, its mechanism and care and how to clean it.