If the infantry cannot have the above system the following modification would improve matters.
Each company to receive recruits but once during the year, each in its turn and regiments as nearly at one time as practicable. The recruits to be sent out within one week of their receipt at the depots except those for foreign service. If the peace strength of the companies be kept at 65, when the company is assigned recruits it should be filled to a strength of 80 it will then average about 65 for the year possibly a few more. It is not believed the total enlisted strength of the army would be increased at all. It would amount to having the men with companies instead of in recruit depots.
The above will enable the captains to do much better training and greater efficiency will result.
Of course those who receive their recruits in October or November would have a great advantage over the others but all could do better work.
Recruits enlisted in summer could be held much longer than others and then, about September 1st, sent to the regiments stationed in the tropics. It is more comfortable for the recruits if they can reach those stations in the fall and get their first hard drills and become acclimated while weather conditions are most favorable. This would give the regiments at home their recruits at a favorable season if not the best for all of them.
Need for a change of system
Either of the above changes can be made by a change in regulations and orders.
With our great population and military needs and very small army it is folly not to use what army we have so as to be as well prepared for war as conditions permit.
In the preceding chapter it has been shown how important it is that we have some trained men for every new regiment. We must have trained men to fill the regular army which must bear the brunt of the first attack.
The present law does not provide this. The enlistment law should be radically changed to get the best results for training, general efficiency and preparedness for war.