september - october - Fort Sill

USE OF SIGNAL CORPS TRAINING MANUALS
For the same reason Information Topic No. 2 is of no value to him.
Information Topic No. 1 is, however, of value because of the definitions
contained therein.
While not posing as an authority on communications, the writer of this
article has taken the liberty to append his choice of those Unit Operations
and Information Topics in the manuals, knowledge of which appears
desirable for Field Artillery communication personnel. He has also
indicated, under each manual, weaknesses observed in our communications
which may be corrected by that Manual. It is hoped that this translation of
Signal Corps Manuals will be of some benefit.
TRAINING MANUAL NUMBER 21
Basic Signal Communication—Instructor's Guide
This manual contains instructional matter for basic signal
communication training. Every soldier in a signal unit should be versed in
it. Certain of the unit operations, as, for instance Unit Operation No. 2, may
very well be omitted, at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor
should read the preface and introduction and obtain thereby an idea of the
minimum specifications of the basic signal private, as well as an insight
into the methods of training to be used in applying the manual. While
Information Topic No. 2, Army Organization, is omitted in the following
list because the symbols and certain of the data are obsolete, some
instruction should be given in this subject, particularly in the organization
of the soldier's own arm and of the supported infantry. Many of the unit
operations can be combined in one period as, for instance, Unit Operations
Nos. 1, 3, 4, and 5. It is quite possible for the instructor to substitute for
BA-4 batteries those issued, as BA-9, BA-11, etc. Unit Operation No. 7 on
the camp telephone should be omitted, but Unit Operation No. 8 should be
retained, using the EE-5 telephone in the place of the EE-4 or Camp
Telephone. It is apparent that Unit Operation No. 9 should therefor precede
Unit Operation No. 8. Much of the data on wire lines given in Unit
Operation No. 8 receives further discussion in Training Manual No. 43. It
must be remembered that the set-ups shown on page 71, for instance, are
ideal and would represent the ideal installation of a test station when the
short stake type of construction of wire lines is in use. In other words, the
instructor must bear in mind that any system of instruction should cover all
phases of installation of communications from the most simple and earliest
installation to the more complicated and final installation. A signal system
once installed should be continually improved. Great stress should be laid
on Unit Operation No. 6, Field Wire, Types and Splices.
List of Unit Operations which may be omitted:
479