94 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



KEPOKT OF THE MILITARY DEl'ARTMENT. 



President J. L. Snyder: 



Sir: — I have the honor to submit my report of the military depart- 

 ment for the year ending? Jnue 23rd, 1908. 



During the first half of the fall term, the new cadets were instructed 

 in the school of the soldier, being divided into squads of eight and 

 instructed by sophomore cadet corporals, the instruction being super- 

 intended by the senior cadet officers. The remainder of the old cadets 

 were instructed in company drill, close order, by the junior cadet 

 officers. 



The last half of the fall term and the first half of the winter term, 

 the new cadets were drilled in the armory under their cadet officers 

 in the school of the squad and company. 



The sophomores were given two lecture courses of ten lectures each, 

 the first consisting of lectures on the Field Service Regulations and 

 the second of lectures on the Drill Regulations. 



The last half of the winter term, the various companies received each 

 week, two hours instruction in company and platoon drill, the third 

 hour being given to theoretical instruction in guard duty and small 

 arms firing regulations. The cadet officers were instructed separately, 

 particular attention being given to the company in battle. 



At the end of each half term and term, I made a personal inspection 

 of each organization and recorded the standing of each cadet, taking 

 into consideration his attendance, military bearing and proficiency in 

 drill. 



The spring term opened April 7th, and the first out-of-door drill was 

 had April 13th. A new company (F) was organized, making the cadet 

 corps consist of a battalion of six companies, band, hospital corps and 

 signal corps detachments, a total of 530 cadets. 



Capt. G. A. Shelton, General Staff, U. S. Army, inspected the corps 

 May 15th last. Although the corps had had onl}' fourteen drills out- 

 of-doors, I am very well pleased with the showing made. 



Last November I received a letter of commendation from the Sec- 

 retary of War, for the good showing made by the Corps of Cadets at 

 the inspection, May 22nd, 1907. I feel this year, the Corps of Cadets 

 made even a better showing. Five hundred and twenty-four cadets were 

 in ranks, completely uniformed and equipped, 4 being absent and 2 sick. 

 The military exercises ordered by the inspector were as follows: escort 

 to the color, reneAV, inspection, battalion drill, company drill in close 

 and extended order and drill for the hospital corps detachment. The 

 corps was prepared to execute the following exercises but was prevented 

 by rain: dress parade, guard mounting, signal drill. It was also pre- 

 pared to form a rear guard, advance guard and outpost. 



During the spring term, the Corps of Cadets has been reviewed and 

 inspected by Adjt. Gen. W. T. McGurrin, Inspector General Carl 

 Wagner, and Brigade General R. J. Bates, Michigan National Guard. 

 A competitive drill was also held, Iho judges being Colonel J. N. Cox, 



