Company administration is a very broad subject and can be really learned only by experience.  However, this chapter will attempt to point out a few suggestions and practices that may prove of some assistance, particularly to the new officer.  We shall treat briefly of the first organization of the company; then we shall try to reproduce in some slight measure the actual work of a day in camp (more particularly of a training camp such as Plattsburg); then finally we shall treat of the orderly room and some of the problems that come up in army paper work.

Notes on Organization.

(By MAJOR W.H.  WALDRON, Twenty-Ninth Infantry.)

1.  PREPARE IN ADVANCE TO RECEIVE MEN ASSIGNED TO COMPANY.

(a) Detail one of the Lieutenants in charge of the company mess.

DUTIES.—­Secure the necessary kitchen and dining room equipment and prepare everything to start the mess; make up a bill-of-fare for a week based on the ration components and supplies available; secure the rations and issue them to the cooks daily.  Train a mess Sergeant in the duties that fall to him.  In fine, this Lieutenant will have complete charge of the company mess, the cooking, and serving of the meals, training of cooks and men detailed for duty in connection with the mess.

(b) Detail the other Lieutenant in charge of property.

DUTIES.—­Procure all the articles of individual and company equipment from the Regimental Supply Officer.  Get into the company storeroom and prepare it for issue.  Train the Company Supply Sergeant in the duties that will fall to him.

(c) This leaves the Company Commander free to organize the orderly room and make the necessary preparations to receive the men as they report.

IF IN CANTONMENT.—­Lay out the quarters into platoon sections and subdivide these into squads, allowing space for platoon leaders and guides.  Starting at the end of the quarters plainly mark each squad section, 8 beds, four on each side of the aisle with the number of the squad—­first squad, second squad, etc.

IF IN TENTS.—­Number the tents, one for each squad, leaving two tents in the center for platoon leaders, guides, etc.  Prepare a sheet having a space for each squad, large enough to enter eight names in it.  Prepare a measuring post where the men can be measured for height as they report.

2.  MEN REPORTING: 

(a) When the men arrive they will be sent to Regimental Headquarters direct.  There they will receive their assignment to a company.  When so assigned they will be directed to join the company.

(b) A table on which is spread the squad assignment sheet is located at the head of the company street.  Nearby is located the measuring post.  When a man reports, look him over, receive him in the company, make him feel at home.  Make him feel that he is welcome.  This little act will pay you large dividends in contentment and company esprit de corps later on.  Turn him over to the man in charge of the measuring post to get his height.  Assign him to a squad corresponding to his height.  Enter his name in the squad space to which he is assigned and send him to the section of the cantonment designated for that particular squad.  Detail a few of the first men who report for duty to assist in this work.