CHAPTER XIV.

LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

The Army of the United States is governed by certain laws called "The Articles of War" and certain regulations called "Army Regulations."

The following list includes the offenses most often committed by soldiers, generally through ignorance or carelessness rather than viciousness. Violations of any rule or regulation should be carefully guarded against, since they not only subject the offender to punishment, but also bring discredit on his comrades, his organization, and on the military profession:

1. Selling, p.a.w.ning, or, through neglect, losing or spoiling any Government property, such as uniforms, blankets, equipment, ammunition, etc.

2. Disobedience of the orders of any officer or noncommissioned officer.

3. Disrespect to an officer or noncommissioned officer.

4. Absence from camp without leave.

5. Absence from any drill, formation, or other duty without authority.

6. Drunkenness on duty or off duty, whether in camp or when absent either with or without leave.

7. Bringing liquor into camp.

8. Noisy or disorderly conduct in camp or when absent either with or without leave.

9. Entering on private property, generally for the purpose of stealing fruit, etc.

10. Negligence or carelessness at drill or on other duty, particularly while on guard or as a sentinel over prisoners.

11. Wearing an unauthorized uniform or wearing the uniform in an improper manner.

12. Urinating in or around camp.

13. Falling to salute properly.

14. Disrespect or affront to a sentinel.

15. Abuse or neglect of his horse.

"The basic principles of the combat tactics of the different arms are set forth in the Drill Regulations of those arms for units as high as brigades," (_Preface,_Field_Service_Regulations_.)

"The Drill Regulations are furnished as a guide. They provide the principles for training and for increasing the probability of success in battle. In the interpretation of the regulations the spirit must be sought. Quibbling over the minutae of form is indicative of failure to grasp the spirit," (_Paragraph_4,_ _Infantry_Drill_Regulations._)

Field Service Regulations govern all arms of the Army of the United States."

SECTION 2. THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.

The Army of the United States shall consist of the Regular Army, the Volunteer Army, the Officers' Reserve Corps, the Enlisted Reserve Corps, the National Guard while in the service of the United States, and such other land forces as are now or may hereafter be authorized by law. (Sec. 1, act of June 3, 1916.)

SECTION 3. RANK AND PRECEDENCE OF OFFICERS AND NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

The following are the grades of rank of officers and noncommissioned officers:

1. Lieutenant general.

2. Major general.

3. Brigadier general.

4. Colonel.

5. Lieutenant colonel.

6. Major.

7. Captain.

8. First lieutenant.

9. Second lieutenant.

10. Aviator, Signal Corps.

11. Cadet.

12. (a) Sergeant major, regimental; sergeant major, senior grade, Coast Artillery Corps; (b) quartermaster sergeant, senior grade, Quartermaster Corps; master hospital sergeant, Medical Department; master engineer, senior grade, Corps of Engineers; master electrician, Coast Artillery Corps; master signal electrician; band lender; (c) hospital sergeant, Medical Department; master engineer, junior grade, Corps of Engineers; engineer, Coast Artillery Corps.

13. Ordnance sergeant; quartermaster sergeant, Quartermaster Corps; supply sergeant, regimental.

14. Sergeant-major, squadron and battalion; sergeant major, junior grade, Coast Artillery Corps; supply sergeant, battalion, Corps of Engineers.

15. (a) First sergeant; (b) sergeant, first cla.s.s, Medical Department; sergeant, first cla.s.s, Quartermaster Corps; sergeant, first cla.s.s, Corps of Engineers; sergeant, first cla.s.s, Signal Corps; electrician sergeant, first cla.s.s, Coast Artillery Corps; electrician sergeant, Artillery Detachment, United States Military Academy; a.s.sistant engineer, Coast Artillery Corps; (c) master gunner, Coast Artillery Corps; master gunner, Artillery Detachment, United States Military Academy; band sergeant and a.s.sistant leader, United States Military Academy band; a.s.sistant band leader; sergeant bugler; electrician sergeant, second cla.s.s, Coast Artillery Corps; electrician sergeant, second cla.s.s, Artillery Detachment, United States Military Academy; radio sergeant.

16. Color sergeant.

17. Sergeant; supply sergeant, company; mess sergeant; stable sergeant; fireman, Coast Artillery Corps.

18. Corporal.

In each grade and subgrade date of commission, appointment, or warrant determines the order of precedence. (Paragraph. 9 Army Regulations, 1913.)

SECTION 4. INSIGNIA OF OFFICERS AND NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

The insignia of rank appearing on the shoulder straps, shoulder loops, or collar of shirt (when shirt is worn without coat) of officers are as follows:

General: Coat of arms and two stars.

Lieutenant general: One large star and two smaller ones.

Major general: Two silver stars.

Brigadier general: One silver star.

Colonel: One silver spread eagle.

Lieutenant colonel: One silver leaf.

Major: One gold leaf.

Captain: Two silver bars.

First lieutenant: One silver bar.

The grade of noncommissioned officers is indicated by chevrons worn on the sleeve.

SECTION 5. EXTRACTS FROM THE ARTICLES OF WAR.

(Relating to enlisted men.)