The Plattsburg Manual | Page 5

the
latter is absent.
"Doughboy"--the infantryman.
"French leave"--unauthorized absence.
"Holy Joe"--the chaplain.
"K.O."--the commanding officer.
"On the carpet"--a call before the commanding officer for admonition.
"Q.M."--quartermaster.
"Rookie"--a new recruit.
"Sand rat"--a soldier on duty in the rifle pit during target practice.
"Top sergeant"--the first sergeant.
"Come and get it"--the meal is ready to be served.

HOW TO CLEAN A RIFLE AND BAYONET
Get a rag and rub the heavy grease off; then get a soft pine stick,
pointed at one end, and with this point remove the grease from the
cracks, crevices and corners. Clean the bore from the breech. When the
heavy grease has been removed, the metal part of the gun, bore
included, should be covered with a light coating of "3-in-1" oil. Heavy
grease can be removed from the rifle by rubbing it with a rag which has

been saturated with gasoline or coal oil.

FRIENDS
There are a few men in all companies who play, loaf, and who are
constantly in trouble. As the good men in each company will not
become friendly with them, they seek their acquaintances among the
new men on whom they have a baneful influence. We wish to warn you
about making friends too quickly.

FINAL SUGGESTIONS
Don't be profane or tell questionable stories to your bunkies or around
the company. There is a much greater number of silent and
unprotesting men in camp than is generally supposed, to whom this is
offensive. Keep everything on a high plane.
CHAPTER II
[1]
Read this chapter as soon as you decide to attend a Camp.

PHYSICAL EXERCISE
The greatest problem you will have to solve will be that of making your
body do the work required. Every one else will be doing exactly what
you are doing, and you have too much pride to want to take even a
shorter step than the man by your side. Some men have to leave the
training camps because they are not in the proper physical condition to
go on with the work. If this chapter is taken as seriously as it should be,
it will be of great help to you.
If you have not a pair of sensible marching shoes (tan, high-tops, no

hooks on them) get a pair. These shoes should be considerably larger
than a pair of office shoes.
Walk to and from your business. Take every opportunity to get out in
the country where the air is pure. Fill your lungs full. Get into the habit
of taking deep breaths now and then. Don't make this a task, but
surround it with pleasantries. Get some delightful companion to walk
with you. Walk vigorously.
Let down on your smoking. Better to leave it alone for a while. You
will enjoy the air. Deep breathing seems to be more natural.
Make it a work for your country. View it in that light. If you are not
going to be called upon to undergo the cruel hardships and physical
strain of some campaigns, your son will be, and you can be of great
help to him by being fit yourself. You and your sons will form the
backbone of America's strength in her next peril.
You will have a great deal of walking after you arrive in camp, possibly
a great deal more than you have ever had, and probably a great deal
more than you expect, even with this word of warning. If you have
failed to provide yourself with proper shoes and socks, great will be the
price of your lack of forethought. You will wince at your own blisters.
You will get no sympathy from any one else. It is the spirit of the camp
for each man to bear his own burdens. So arrive at camp with hardened
legs and broken in shoes. Don't buy shoes with pointed or narrow toes.
They should be broad and airy.
Immediately after you arise in the morning and just before you retire at
night, go through the following exercises for two or three minutes. In a
short time you may want to make it more. No objection. Give it a fair
trial. Be brisk and energetic. Forget, for the time being, what you are
going to get out of it. Give and then give more. The result will take care
of itself.
1st Exercise
Involving practically every important muscle in the body.

[Illustration: No. 1 No. 2]
From first position spring to second position; instantly return to first
position and continue.
Be light on your feet. Alight on your toes. Begin with a limited number
of times. Day by day increase it a little until you reach a fair number.
Be most moderate at first. Never allow yourself in any exercise to
become greatly fatigued.
2d Exercise
To reduce waist, strengthen