413 
A SCHEME FOR THE BETTER TRAINING OF THE 
VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY. 
BY 
CAPTAIN C. P. MARTEL, R.A. 
I offer a few remarks on the subject of the training of the Volunteer 
Artillery, and a scheme for the division of the present Corps into two 
parts, a 1st and 2nd class, whereby a much higher efficiency would 
be obtained, and at the same time no fresh financial embarrassments 
would be created. 
It will be necessary, first, to consider briefly what is the minimum 
that is expected, at the present time, of a Volunteer Artilleryman, in 
order that he may be considered an “ efficient.” 
Put shortly, the terms of efficiency are :— 
During the first and second year's service 30 drills, 20 being gun- 
drills. 
Daring the third and fourth year's service 12 drills, 9 being gun- 
drills. 
After this a man, having been returned four times as an efficient, 
need only do 9 gun-drills in each year. All drills are of one hour’s 
duration. 
Attendance at gun practice once a year is obligatory, also at the 
Annual Inspection unless leave of absence is obtained in writing from 
the Commanding Officer. 
It should also be stated that in the second, year, 12 gun-drills are 
considered sufficient, provided 60 drills, 40 being gun-drills, are done 
in the first two years combined; I draw particular attention to this 
latter condition, as it shows that it is considered that a man can retain 
all that is necessary of his drill and training after his first or recruit's 
year by doing 12 gun-drills in his second year, and afterwards 9 gun- 
drills each year. 
In each Corps there will be men in all stages of service, varying 
from men under one year, to men having two, three, and perhaps as 
many as 20 years' service; but for the better training of the men, I 
would divide them into two classes, the 1st class consisting of all 
under four years' service, and also those who having more than four 
years' service elect to serve in this class; the 2nd class or reserve, 
to consist of the remainder of the men of over four years' service. 
55 
8 VOL. XXI 
