whenever the cadets leave the seclusion of west point and appear in public in uniform, their erect carriage, their smart tight-fitting dress coats that show off their broad muscular shoulders and slender waists never fail to excite favorable comment and praise. it most generally finds expression from a group of giggling maidens who evince a great curiosity about the cadets’ slender waists, either openly remarking that they are artificial or more specifically assuring themselves, when advantage can be taken of a cadet, by poking the gray bound torso around the middle line, timidly asking him if he wears corsets, a remark that usually serves as an introduction to a harmless flirtation.
the splendid set-up of the cadets is not, however, due to stays, whalebones in the dress coats, dr. quack’s abdominal bandages, or to any other mechanical appliances. it is the result of a very highly intelligent system of physical training, to which the supple young body of the cadet is submitted for four years. naturally, little by little 195 his muscles, through exercise, attain their proper development, and since no one set of muscles is neglected, the body gradually assumes a well-rounded, finished appearance. the material for instruction is good and healthy, because all of the cadets have been submitted to a rigid physical examination before entrance. they are not, however, all perfect specimens, for many possess minor defects and blemishes, unimportant as far as affecting their military value to the government, but which can be eradicated by proper physical training.
the instructor of physical training is greatly aided in his actual work, by the kind of life the cadet leads, so that he has not to struggle with a crowd of men who after having received physical training daily, indulge themselves to their heart’s content. he has, on the contrary, a set of young men who live under the strictest and simplest conditions in a healthy environment, and whose diet is most wholesome. no late suppers, no beer, no rich food are at work to keep up the rotundity of the stomach, the coram nobis of the romans, or to produce a lot of flabby fat, but good cereals, nourishing meats and vegetables, even the despised “slum,” are indirect factors in keeping healthy the cadet’s body.
west point believes that for a man to do the best mental work, his body must be in the best condition. the academy was the first educational institution in the country to recognize that hand 196 in hand with the student’s mental training must go the proper development of his physical powers. as long ago as 1817, captain partridge, the superintendent of the military academy, incorporated in the curriculum bodily exercises. since that time the importance of physical training in the cadet’s course has been given recognition, but frankly there was no real system of physical training until 1846. a gymnasium was then prepared and instruction given by first lieut. h. c. wayne, first artillery. this was a beginning, but the authorities were hampered by lack of equipment, and also by no very great knowledge of how to proceed. the science of physical training was in its infancy, it must be remembered, but crude as was the instruction it was the genesis of the splendid course that now exists.
for a long period after the civil war, 1865-1882, cadets attended the gymnasium as they saw fit, a system that was no system. the original course from which the present course has developed was inaugurated in february, 1885.
the daily routine at the academy is extremely exacting and hard, and i doubt very much if a large number of men could stand the strain and daily grind of the academic year, if they were not physically prepared to meet its requirements. since all academic duties are suspended during part of june, july, and august, in order to devote these months to practical military instruction, the new cadets are directed to report in june. 197 two months are then at the disposal of the authorities to strengthen the new arrivals’ bodies, both by prescribed physical exercises and by the exercise incident to the drills and maneuvers, before the studies begin in september.
the exterior of the gymnasium
during the first three weeks of the new cadet’s training, setting-up exercises begin his day’s work. after his breakfast has had time to digest, he and his fellows are marched over to the main room of the gymnasium for forty-five minutes’ physical drill. although the setting-up exercises may be given outdoors, and have always been heretofore, the gymnasium is now used to eliminate the distraction of the cadet’s attention by passersby whose amusement at the efforts of the stiff and awkward “beasts” reacted upon the new cadets.
the recruit instruction begins with the most simple exercises. the cadet is taught first the position of attention; that his heels must be together, his feet turned out just so much, his knees devoid of stiffness, in a word, what he shall do with his hips, arms, and hands, keeping his head erect, his chin drawn in, and his eyes straight to the front. simple as is the position of attention, many men take a long time to learn it. some never can comply with all the requirements, for how can the bow-legged man and the knock-kneed chap keep their legs “straight without stiffness”?
then follow breathing exercises to increase the 198 wind capacity, to permit longer and more extended drills, and to lead up to the simple movements designed to develop the muscles upon which the position of attention is dependent.
the cadets line up on the gymnasium floor. the instructor commands: “count off!”
“one—two—three—four!” “one—two—three—four!” in weak voices and strong voices, diminuendo and crescendo, is repeated all down the line, each man snapping his head to the front as he calls his number. the inequality of tone of voice is gradually eliminated so that after a few drills the count off is uniform in pitch.
“take distance. march!” commands the drill master followed by “company, halt!” when the men have become sufficiently separated to perform the exercises without interfering with one another.
various exercises are then taught, the simple ones first, followed by the more complex movements to develop a co?rdination of all muscles and a feeling of control over one’s body. the set of exercises used at the academy are simple in the extreme and executed by even simpler commands. it is astonishing how in a few minutes a perfectly green squad can be taught to execute movements not only in unison, but even with precision and smartness. the great value of the commands lies in the fact that no elaborate explanations are necessary. all the recruit has to do is to watch the instructor. let me illustrate by an example. the instructor commands: 199
“1. arms forward. 2. raise.”
the cadet raises his arm in front of him to height of shoulders, holding them in this position while the instructor says:
“swing arms down at 1 and up at 2. ready! exercise! one! two! ... one! halt!”
all movements cease with arms in raised position.
“arms down.” all drop their arms smartly.
of course, to the simple movements are added various combinations, and all exercises are executed both at a halt and while marching. the walking with measured step gives poise and grace of carriage. the recruits are also practiced in the run and double time, the latter a military step to gain ground rapidly, but with a minimum inroad upon the wind and endurance of the soldier. setting-up exercises are the most valuable preliminary training for any body of men entering the military service. for the first week the body is sore and aches to the point of great fatigue, but after the preliminary soreness disappears, a feeling of control supplants it, and the general health of the body is better. no brown pills are necessary; no headaches from biliousness exist. a good forty-five minute setting-up drill every morning, plenty of wholesome food, and eight hours’ sleep contribute to the cadet’s good health. the mess hall, not to be outdone by other departments, lends its aid by serving judicious plates of prunes. these preliminary setting-up drills, given during 200 the first few weeks, are discontinued for a short period in camp when the cadets are busy learning other drills.
swimming now replaces the setting-up exercises until the battalions return to barracks in september. the new cadets must be able to swim at least ten minutes without changing their stroke, which standard each cadet must measure before he is excused from attendance at the swimming drills. these drills are never a bore, however, but anticipated with great pleasure by nearly all of the men. nothing is so refreshing on a hot summer’s day, after a tedious drill upon the dusty plain, than the march over to the “gym” for a swim in the deliciously cool clean water of the tank. instruction is also given in resuscitating men who are apparently drowned.
when september comes and the studies are commenced, the fourth class resumes its setting-up exercises, to which are added gymnastic work.
in the fall each cadet is given a thorough examination at which all of his measurements are accurately taken, and various strength tests are made. this information is entered on a card and filed for future reference, because later on the cadets are again measured and tested in order that the improvement may be noted.
measurements are made of the height, chest, waist, arms, legs; and strength tests are made of the arms, hands, back, and legs. these methods quickly reveal wherein the cadet is deficient, and 201 allow the instructor, like a doctor, to prescribe for each individual the necessary exercises. for example, those whose chests are under-developed are assigned to the chest weights until the deficiency is made up, and where the smaller muscles of the arms and shoulders need attention practice is given with the indian clubs and medicine balls.
gymnastic exercises
to develop in all of them power, vigor, and endurance, the groups of large muscles of the back, chest, abdomen, and legs are improved by setting-up exercises, dumb-bells, and wands, jumping, climbing, and lastly by apparatus work. this class of exercises is reserved until the muscles have been more or less controlled and respond to the will, for the execution depends not so much upon muscular effort as it does upon agility. it would never do to start in green men on the apparatus work, because there would soon result broken legs and arms. this work is hard enough for those lacking “muscle sense,” even after many months of preliminary exercises.
included in the schedule for the first year’s work is instruction in the saber and the foils, but as the amount of time that can be devoted to these branches of instruction is limited, only the most elementary features of the arts can be taught. an opportunity, however, is afforded cadets to perfect themselves in the use of both the saber and the foil after regular hours. during the winter months, when the vigorous weather requires a suspension of outdoor drilling, the fencing 202 master gives individual lessons to those who desire to take them. the volunteers are formed into a squad known as the fencing squad, from which are organized, for each weapon, class teams. the interests at west point are so many and varied that it is impossible for each cadet to be an accomplished fencer, boxer, wrestler, gymnast, or swimmer, but each one is given instruction in the fundamentals. the cadets usually select the art that appeals to them most and perfect themselves along the chosen line. the saber is popular, and many cadets acquire great dexterity in its manipulation. it is distinctly a soldierly exercise, so that it exercises a fascination for the men, especially for those who intend to choose the cavalry.
instruction in the use of the foils is given to the entire class assembled by sections, and consists of preliminary instruction in the single rank without weapon, in the single rank with foils, and in the double rank with foils. as with the saber, the men whose sport by predilection is fencing with foils take individual lessons from the fencing master every afternoon from november until march. the interest in fencing at one time was exceedingly great, and the sport was regarded as one of the major activities of cadet life. this interest was due to the participation of cadet teams in the intercollegiate fencing meet, but five years ago the academy authorities prohibited cadet teams from attending these competitions. this action killed the interest in fencing for several years, but 203 at present the former popularity of this excellent sport is returning, and a visitor may now see the thirteen double mats, accommodating fifty-two men, constantly filled.
when president roosevelt, in 1905, ordered that all cadets should attend gymnasium daily, assistants were detailed to assist the officer in charge of physical training. for the fencing, the academy secured the services of a ma?tre d’armes under whose careful and scientific training, the fencing teams of the academy continued their brilliant achievements begun in 1902. beginning with that year until 1910, west point sent to the annual intercollegiate championship meets, teams that contested with harvard, yale, cornell, pennsylvania, columbia, and the navy. out of the nine meets, west point won six, and obtained second place in the other three, yielding their supremacy to their great rivals, the navy. this remarkable record was accomplished by the untiring efforts of the team and of their much-liked instructor, m. vauthier, whose skill excited their admiration and inspired in them a splendid spirit of emulation.
more attention is now paid to the bayonet fencing due to the extended use of that weapon in the present european war, but as with the other arts, the limited time permits the teaching of only the fundamentals. the cadet learns enough in each branch to build upon afterwards and make himself a competent instructor. 204
not less popular than the fencing are the boxing and wrestling exercises. the first year men are assembled in classes and given instruction in boxing in the guard, footwork, parries, simple direct leads and counters. similarly in wrestling, the simple holds, resultant falls, and the breaks for the simple holds are all taught.
it is not, however, to the regular class work that one must go to judge of the grip that these manly sports have upon the cadets. in the afternoon, after recitations, embryo jeffries and fitzsimmonses gather in the boxing room to receive the holy instruction from the master, mr. jenkins, or “tom,” as he is affectionately called among themselves. there he teaches the aspirant pugilist how to land a blow and how to avoid one, and occasionally to make the lesson more realistic he treats his young charge to the experience of receiving one. some experiences in a man’s life grow dim, but never this one.
when the preliminary bouts are being fought, large numbers flock to the boxing room to cheer for the weaker fellow even though he be of another class than one’s own. boxing develops fine qualities among the men. it teaches them to give and take, to receive punishment without flinching, and to respect the skill of a good opponent. besides it gives a man confidence in his powers, making him think quickly and move quickly, all excellent qualities for an officer of the army. 205
boxing, however, shares the popular appeal with wrestling. this manly sport that we have inherited from our ancestors of the stone age fascinates men chiefly by virtue of its brute strength and to a lesser degree by its skill. it is a game for men of all sizes, provided they possess the necessary qualities of courage and strength.
the boxing room on winter afternoons presents a warm and pleasing contrast to the cold and snow outside. the mats are covered with agile forms in black jersey tights wriggling and squirming, the perspiration rolling off the wrestlers as they endeavor to grind the shoulders of their opponents to the mat. all men receive instruction in wrestling in class, but like the other sports, its devotees must repair for extra instruction to mr. jenkins during recreation hours. it is in this time that men practice for their class teams, one for each of the following weights: unlimited, heavy, light heavy, middle, welter, light, and feather. the four class teams meet each other successively to wrestle for the class championship. there is besides a contest for the individual championship, the final bouts which take place publicly at the annual indoor meet.
prior to the resumption of the afternoon military drills in march, the cadets hold their annual gymnastic event called the indoor meet. the contests, which are held with great ceremony in the gymnasium, include races, pole climbing, work on horizontal bars and parallel bars, long 206 and short horse, rings both stationary and flying, and the tug of war between the classes.
each class enters so many men for each event, and for the awards of first, second, or third, the contestant receives a designated number of points. the class receiving the greatest total wins the meet. this athletic event is a very fitting way to end the winter course, for it offers an opportunity to those men who have labored faithfully during the winter afternoons to reap the reward of their efforts. it also is an incentive for better work because of the spirit of competition. the athletic association upon this occasion, presents sabers, both to the captain of the football team and to that member of the first class who during his cadet career has done the most for athletics. it is a very proud night for these young men as they walk forward to receive the coveted saber, the first part of their officer’s equipment.
there is great rivalry among the classes during the events. the four corners of the room are filled with the members of each class, who yell like demons to encourage their representatives. almost every minute the air is filled with shrieks and yells of excited cadets whose “zis-boom-ahs!” “rah! rah! rahs!” “1917! 1918!!...” are hurled at one another to the delight and amusement of the spectators, young and old, hanging over the iron railing of the gallery.
the courses in gymnastics, wrestling, and boxing, 207 increase in difficulty according to the class, so that the third and second classmen pursue a more advanced course than the plebes. when, however, the cadets become first classmen, emphasis is laid upon the theories of physical training with the object of preparing these “near officers” for their duties as instructors in the service. the needs of the army are carefully considered in the training of the last year in order to send out from west point men who can at once take hold of a group of recruits and whip them into good physical shape, according to the most intelligent methods.
unfortunately, the setting-up exercises in the army are only spasmodically taught. there is very little uniformity in the method, despite the excellent manual with which the troops are provided.
west point is at present making an effort to influence the service to a better appreciation of the results to be derived from regular drill in setting-up exercises. to this end, the first classmen are taught to act as instructors, and are grounded not only in actual practice but in theory. every year extra classes are held to develop good instructors for the coming summer camps, and for future service in the army. it is to be hoped that commanding officers will make good use of these enthusiastic young teachers.
although the control of athletics at the academy is not under the gymnasium authorities, still it is fitting to speak of the sports in this chapter. 208 the academy has its football, baseball, basketball, and hockey teams, and in addition the cadets play golf, polo, and tennis. there is little in the training or conduct of these teams that differs from other educational institutions, except the question of time allowed for preparation. it has always been the rule at west point that no inroads shall be permitted upon the academic course to aid the development of any athletic team. consequently, what practice the teams get must be during recreation hours. the only concessions made are supper a half-hour later for the football men, and exemptions twice a week from parade for the baseball men. athletics receive, however, the greatest support and encouragement from the authorities, whose aim is, however, not to develop a few good men or an excellent team in any one sport, but to seek a good average.
every cadet is urged to join in some form of athletics instead of remaining in his dress coat along the side lines as an interested spectator. the efforts made in this direction have received a warm response from the cadet body, so that during recreation hours the plain presents a busy scene of cadet activities. the green parade ground is dotted with the golfers in gray shirts and white trousers; the tennis courts are filled with animated figures; groups of happy cadets ride by on horseback for a gallop in the woods, while others prefer the more sedate hiking in the surrounding hills. it is a great temptation after the recitations 209 and drills to be lazy, hang around one’s room, or “bone fiction” which means reading novels, but in recent years the men have become more and more sensible of the many advantages offered them during their cadet days, and a new spirit of carpe diem has come over the corps.
photo by white
the athletic field
but to return to my subject of physical training proper. no opportunity is lost to impress upon each man the practical use to which he will put his knowledge of physical training when he becomes an officer. he is urged to prepare himself to the best of his ability to become a proficient instructor for the enlisted men whom he will later command. in this connection, the cadets learn in their course of military hygiene that the object of all physical training is to develop the human body in its entirety in order that there shall result a perfect equilibrium between all its functions. many recruits join the army without the slightest co?rdination of their body. although well formed they are awkward, clumsy, stoop shouldered, without ability to make their different members act in unison with their minds. if an officer does not know what to do with these men he will never succeed in getting good work out of them. his first duty therefore is to develop the recruit’s body, especially the functions of control, the co?rdination between eye and hand, because the success of line troops is largely dependent upon physical aptitude. the modern war makes greater demands than ever upon the soldier’s physique. 210 i heard an observer, recently returned from the european war, state that the infantryman is now so loaded down with packs, steel helmets, hand grenades, and rifle that he finds it difficult to advance faster than a walk. the strain upon the physique of the infantryman carrying his pack is greater than upon soldiers of other arms, and since graduates in time of war will be concerned largely with the training of infantry, it is of paramount importance that cadets should understand the building up and care of the bodies of their men. a soldier must possess more than the average muscular strength, endurance, and organic vigor.
i see before me daily the fine results of the system of physical training at the academy. ungainly plebes gradually assume a well-rounded appearance, an erect carriage with head up and an elastic walk. i sometimes have to rub my eyes when i behold a cadet whom i once remembered as an unformed plebe, as loose jointed as a big newfoundland puppy, but who now appears before my astonished vision as a smart soldierly first classman. when the cadets have completed their four years course they have a decided physical stamp, showing that each one has been trained by the same system.
at the end of the year in june, when the post is thronged with visitors, relatives, and friends of cadets who are present for the graduation exercises, an outdoor demonstration of the setting-up 211 exercises is given on the plain. the precision and uniformity with which the movements are executed arouse great interest as eight hundred supple young bodies respond as one to the sonorous commands of the instructor perched on a solid wooden table.
setting up drill on the plain
this drill is usually followed by the outdoor meet, the annual athletic event corresponding to the indoor meet. each class has its best representatives entered to win a victory in the dashes, hurdle races, long distance races, hammer throwing, jumping, and pole vaulting. back of the roped lines surge the cadets of the various classes, cheering themselves hoarse for their own representatives. mothers, sisters, sweethearts, friends, friends’ friends, in the fluffiest and gayest summer dresses devouringly trail their “kaydet,” and give excited and exaggerated opinions about things of which they are totally ignorant,—but bless their hearts! their presence is an inspiration to the young gods at their olympian games.
on the june morning of the outdoor meet, west point usually offers one of her incomparably beautiful days as a fitting setting for the display of her cadets’ physical prowess. and when the meet ends, the cadets all feel that one more year’s progress been made in their physical development. the first classmen who on the morrow will go forth into the army, leaving the protecting walls of west point, reflect with emotion 212 and gratitude upon all that west point’s training has done to strengthen their bodies to endure whatever hardships that might arise in their new lives as officers.
