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 Presiden............