106 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE. 



The President, Michigan Agricultural College: 



Sir — I have the honor to submit the following report for the year 

 ending June 30, 1912 : 



With some exceptions the instruction given followed closely along 

 lines pursued in the past. The Avork at the beginning of the year was 

 hampered somewhat by the late arrival of the new Infantry Drill Regu- 

 lations, but once under way proceeded satisfactorily. 



All cadet staff officers and non-commissioned staff officers w-hose 

 services were not required at drill were organized into a staff class and 

 assigned a special course of study under the cadet colonel. An addi- 

 tional second lieutenant was appointed in each company, and for all 

 commissioned officers shoulder straps superseded chevrons. Thirty 

 sabers and a number of fine new instruments were added to our erjuip- 

 ment. 



During the winter term an innovation was undertaken, viz., giving 

 military instruction to short course men. The course covered 7 weeks, 

 5 hours per week; the drill being in the middle of the afternoon. The 

 results from a military viewpoint were very gratifying. Great interest 

 was shown by the students and their progress was remarkable. Much 

 credit is due the cadet officers of the regular corps who volunteered their 

 services as instructors. The course was given at the request of the Dean 

 of Agriculture with a view, of improving the academic work of these 

 students during the later hours of the day, heretofore regarded as prac- 

 tically lost on account of the mental weariness generally prevaiout. It 

 was found that this interesting and mildly strenuous diversion accom- 

 plished the object sought. On account of the inadequate facilities for 

 indoor instruction it was impossible to extend this work to all who 

 sought it. 



The annual War Department inspection was made on May 15th by 

 Captain Harrison Hall, General Staff, U. S. Army. His report has not 

 yet been received but his remarks while here indicated that the Corps 

 had made a very creditable showing. This result was particularly pleas- 

 ing in view of the fact that the unusual lateness of spring prevented 

 outdoor drill until April 8th and that much of the work attempted — 

 patrolling, outposts, advance and rear guards, and attack — was new to 

 the entire Corps. Of an aggregate of 683 cadets 662 were present, and 

 of the 21 absentees 8 were absent with leave or sick. 



In the annual competitive drill first place was awarded to Company 

 "C," Captain W. A. McDonald, second to Company "A," Captain E. C. 

 Douglas, and third to Company "Jj" Captain M. J. Gearing. The judge 

 on this occasion was Captain Frank L. Wells, 11th U. S. Infantry, In- 

 spector-Instructor, Michigan National Guard, who on May 29th accepted 

 a review of the Corps and presented the medal to the captain of the 

 prize company. 



It is regretted that Governor Chase S. Osborn and Brigadier General 



