Camp of Instruction

Greetings to all,



Knocking off the rust; something we must all do in this hobby, from time to time. Some of us spend alot of time doing this while others do a bit less, what with buttons to sew, brogans to condition, muskets to maintain, tent loops to mend - the list is seemingly endless of things we should do, to keep a respectable impression. No matter the rank or station, we all have a list of things we should do.



How about your knowledge? Do you maintain that, too? Do you know what to do in the normal evolutions of company and battalion drill? Do you know where to be for your basic footwork? Do you know enough about loading and firing, to teach a new recruit or will you depend on your NCO's to do that? We expect our officers to know these things and more, but do you know the job of the man above and below you in rank, if you are needed to fill a spot?



How about if you find yourself detailed to help in the mess tent, or on a medical assignment? Do you know how to participate in or supervise a provost detail? What would you do if you, as senior Private, found yourself at an event as the senior man? Could you manage a squad of fellow Privates for a weekend? Officers, have you ever found yourself handling a battalion for the first time, because others could not attend an event?



The point is this; if you answered tentatively or uncertainly about any of the above inquiries, then we have just the opportunity for you. We have created a Camp of Instruction for the Corps, April 17-19, to address these and other concerns. The team of Lt. Eric Powell, Captain Jeff Noland and Lt. Tom Place have designed the classroom aspects of the Camp, and General Cornett and Staff are designing the tactical, drill and military essentials of the Camp. The event is being hosted by our own Major John Douglass, Adjutant of Artillery for the Corps. All the details are on the Corps Website, ably posted by Colonel Tony Zusman, easy to find, read and register for.



What's in it for you? A refresher course on diverse topics awaits. It is vital that we have a good turnout, as we kick off this new campaign season. Now, before you decry the economy or simply say, "It's not an event. I'm not coming." let me remind you that this is our Corps. We are only as good as our last performance, and gas is no cheaper for one of us than for another.



I urge you also to attend so that we might all enjoy Longstreet's Corps' 25th anniversary celebration, for which the committee has planned a pig roast, lots of story-telling, skits, singing and general entertainment. Come for the fun. Come for the comraderie. Come for the intrinsic value. Come because we need you. Come because you'll not get another chance to make these kinds of memories. Come so we can all get better at what we do. Come to keep from pulling weeds. Just come. You'll be glad you did.



Someday we all will be too old for this, and we'll wish we had all been there together. The committee and a whole bunch of others have already made contributions of time and talent for the sake of all of us. What will you do?



I'll see you there.



Colonel Gallion

Chief-of-Staff