Topic: Drill and Training
Cavalry Training; 1907
S.7. – Training of the Men
To get the greatest value out of your instruction given to the men, the instructor must endeavour both to interest and encourage them.
In the following instructions much has purposely been left to commanders in devising methods. A cut-and-dried system tends to curb initiative on the part of keen officers, whilst with less capable officers it removes all necessity for thinking for themselves.
The soldier must be given a much higher aim than that of merely satisfying the requirements of the drill instructor. He must be encouraged to feel that in perfecting himself as a fighting man he is preparing himself to take part in furthering the aims of his country, and is adding to his chance of gaining personal distinction in the effort. Among soldiers so trained, individuality and self-reliance cam safely be developed without fear of sacrificing discipline. The strongest form of discipline in an army is that which comes from the conception of duty in its noblest form, which is the spirit of loyalty to King and country, self-sacrifice, and implicit obedience to superior leaders.
S.8. – Training of the Recruit
Cavalry recruits are to be exempted from stable and other duties, and will not be allowed to commence riding until they have undergone an uninterrupted course of twelve weeks' physical training. Foot drill and instruction in musketry will also be carried out during this period.
The whole training must be systematic and progressive, and the recruit must receive careful individual instruction in riding, musketry, skill-at-arms, scouting, and drill. In order to develop the intelligence of the recruit, the practical instruction should be varied by frequent lectures on theoretical subjects; during the first three weeks these will be mainly on elementary interior economy, equipment, cleanliness, horse management, discipline and loyalty to both leaders and comrades; subsequently they should be on the work which is being carried out. During this period recruits should be impressed with the fact that their prospects in civil employment after they leave the Army depends on their conduct whilst serving, and that no man can be registered for employment who is not discharged with a good character. The object to be attained by the course of individual instruction is to render the soldier, with his horse, efficient in the ranks, to teach him to use his arms effectively in mounted and dismounted action, and to act independently as a scout, The system of instruction must be governed by the necessity of putting the recruit into the ranks of his troop without undue delay. Young soldiers must, therefore, be associated with their seniors immediately after joining, and begin at once to be trained in their sections in order to obtain the maximum of individual instruction.
The training of the recruit will comprise:—
(a) Physical training.
(b) Foot drill and rifle, sword and lance exercises.
(c) Musketry and skill-at-arms.
(d) Elementary riding instruction and horse management.
(e) Equitation.
(f) Troop drill.
S.9. – The Recruit Officer
Before an officer has been dismissed recruits' drill he will be required to be able to signal by semaphore, ride in the ranks, strip and put together a saddle, correctly saddle, bit, and turn out in marching order a horse, and put together the harness of and to harness a squadron cart. During the first two years of his service an officer will undergo a practical course of instruction in the farrier's shop.
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