september - october - Fort Sill

COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF SCHOOL
of subjects preparatory to a problem which may cover a wide range of
instruction, it is helpful to have available carefully digested review
notes—the preparation of such notes is a task which may well be split
up among the members of a committee. I think that such groups can
serve a useful purpose if they are thoughtfully planned and organized,
and include officers of various branches, representative of different
viewpoints.
We have fairly finished what might be called the first phase, covering
the separate arms, their tactics, and technique. We are well started on the
course in "Command, Staff, and Logistics," which goes into administrative
details of supply, and the like. To-day, we had our first conference in
"Tactical Principals and Decisions," the basic and most important course of
all. So far, there is little evidence of mental strain. This class is younger
than any that have come before—the average age, I should judge, is well
under forty. Instructors say they can detect a difference in the complexion
of the various classes from year to year, and our class appears to be not less
serious-minded and business-like about its work, but a bit more lighthearted.
I'm getting quite keen about the course. It dove-tails together so
neatly—individual instructors may fall somewhat short of academic
excellence, but the tout ensemble, the system, is surely admirable. We are
getting the benefit of the work of a devoted succession of instructors who
have put together, piece by piece, this impressive structure of applied
knowledge. We have sloughed off all responsibility except that of the
student—to take every advantage of this course. The opportunity for
extending one's acquaintance among these many fellow-students and
instructors, also, is an unusual and valuable one. Altogether, I count it a
great privilege to be here. Do not waver in your own decision to come.
Faithfully yours,
A.
FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS,
December 31, 1925.
MY DEAR B:
No schoolboy ever welcomed a holiday more joyously than we greeted
the Christmas vacation which commenced on December 23rd, to last over
New Year's. That day marked an exodus from the Post for many, especially
those temporary bachelors whose families did not accompany them to
Leavenworth this year. Those of us who were left have reveled in delightfully
late breakfasts, in skating, in reading, in lazy hours of long postponed play
with our families. Perhaps there has been some study, but—for the good
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