122 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



REPORT OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT. 



President F. S. Kedzie: 



The undersigned was relieved from duty at this institution on Sept. 19, 



1918, to take command of the S. A. T. C. at Wesleyan University, Con- 

 necticut, and returned to duty here Jan 2, 1919. 



The usual troubles incidental to a period of re-construction were experi- 

 enced, the students being sick of military training and the apparent hope- 

 less purpose of the S. A. T. C. For three month the students "bucked" 

 but were finally won over to the safe and sane view of military training 

 and then settled down to make up for lost time. The students who had 

 been the strongest in opposition became the strongest supporters of the 

 department. 



The corps carried out everything desired by the War Department — in 

 brief with but two terms available, we covered the ground laid kown for 

 three terms. The gallery firing showed a noticeable improvement over 

 that of the preceding year. Last year the students fired an average of 

 84%, this year, 87%, with the War Department requiring but 60% a 

 standard, the attitude of the students and their ability to DO work when 

 given them in the right way is well illustrated. 



The annual inspection, given by Lt. Col. Hester, General Staff, was in 

 the early part of May. All day Friday and all the morning of Saturday 

 were devoted to demonstrations, each and every phase of our instruc- 

 tion. This demonstrating was carefully planned and most successful. Col. 

 Hester stated that we had done everything that the War Department 

 wanted, in the way the department wanted and was more than pleased. 

 "You do not appear to have been affected at all by the S. A. T. C. inter- 

 ruptions as were the other colleges". At the review he thought we had 

 practiced a long time and was surprised that the students had had only 

 two prior drills in the formation. He asked more questions than any in- 

 spector I have yet had and more than 90% of the questions were ans- 

 wered correctly and promptly. 



As a result of the inspection, Michigan Agricultural College was placed 

 in the "Distinguished Class" by War Department orders. This is the first 

 time in the long history of M. A. C. that the college has gained this high 

 honor. Only 12 colleges in the entire United States are so designated and 

 four of those are essentially military schools such as Virginia Military In- 

 stitute and The Citadel. 



With three full terms ahead foi next yeai- there is no reason to doubt 

 our ability to again gain honors. Cadet Major Daniel W. Kent, class of 



1919, was, with the approval of the president, nominated as "Honor 

 Graduate" and certified as eligible to appointment as second lieutenant 

 in the regular army. I have not yet heard whether he has been appointed 

 but he doubtless will be as soon as a vacancy and new appointments 

 occur. 



Sgt. Chas. H. Robinson deserves great praise for his unswerving loyalty 

 and tactful manner in handling the students dui'ing the trying times of 

 reconstruction. 



Respectfully submitted, 



P. G. WRIGHTSON, 

 Major U. S. Army. 

 East Lansing, June 30, 1919. 



