The Exterior of the Gymnasium
During the first three weeks of the new cadet’s training, setting-up exercises begin his day’s work. After his breakfast has had time to digest, he and his fellows are marched over to the main room of the gymnasium for forty-five minutes’ physical drill. Although the setting-up exercises may be given outdoors, and have always been heretofore, the gymnasium is now used to eliminate the distraction of the cadet’s attention by passersby whose amusement at the efforts of the stiff and awkward “beasts” reacted upon the new cadets.
The recruit instruction begins with the most simple exercises. The cadet is taught first the position of attention; that his heels must be together, his feet turned out just so much, his knees devoid of stiffness, in a word, what he shall do with his hips, arms, and hands, keeping his head erect, his chin drawn in, and his eyes straight to the front. Simple as is the position of attention, many men take a long time to learn it. Some never can comply with all the requirements, for how can the bow-legged man and the knock-kneed chap keep their legs “straight without stiffness”?
Then follow breathing exercises to increase the wind capacity, to permit longer and more extended drills, and to lead up to the simple movements designed to develop the muscles upon which the position of attention is dependent.
The cadets line up on the gymnasium floor. The instructor commands: “Count off!”
“One—two—three—four!” “One—two—three—four!” in weak voices and strong voices, diminuendo and crescendo, is repeated all down the line, each man snapping his head to the front as he calls his number. The inequality of tone of voice is gradually eliminated so that after a few drills the count off is uniform in pitch.
“Take distance. March!” commands the drill master followed by “Company, halt!” when the men have become sufficiently separated to perform the exercises without interfering with one another.
Various exercises are then taught, the simple ones first, followed by the more complex movements to develop a coördination of all muscles and a feeling of control over one’s body. The set of exercises used at the Academy are simple in the extreme and executed by even simpler commands. It is astonishing how in a few minutes a perfectly green squad can be taught to execute movements not only in unison, but even with precision and smartness. The great value of the commands lies in the fact that no elaborate explanations are necessary. All the recruit has to do is to watch the instructor. Let me illustrate by an example. The instructor commands:
“1. Arms forward. 2. Raise.”