I Am a Doughboy

8/6/2019 I Am a Doughboy

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I am a Doughboy

All of the following text

pictures come from a boo

published during World W

by the government.

booklet was sold at a nom

price and purchased by

trainees to send home to t

friends and family. Its purwas to describe the trai

that was given at each of

nine IRTC bases during

war years. The pictures

text accurately describe

training taking place at C

Wolters.

A scan of all of the pages

be viewed at a photo gal

and all of the pages can

viewed at high resolution

clicking the enlarge button.

INTRODUCTION


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I am training to be an infantryman. I am proud, for I k

that when the last enemy stronghold is captured, it will b

infantryman, supported on the ground and in the air

thousands of other men, who will have captured

stronghold and held it.

As an infantryman, I must be a many-skilled soldier,

than a rifleman, a machine gunner, or a cannoneer. I

learn all that is necessary to achieve success in battle, to de

and capture or destroy the enemy.

To be part of a winning team in combat, I must l

obedience, to take orders and to obey, to respect my officerwell as my comrades. I must learn military courtesy and

customs of the service, how to salute and when to salute,

to live with other men in order to help them and, in tur

receive help from them.

Because I am fighting to live, I must keep myself informe

the progress of my fight. I must know why I fight, and fol

and appreciate the progress of millions of my fellowsmillions of my allies as they help me in this fight across se

seas and seven continents.

As soon as I have learned how to take care of myself, I

learn how to take care of what Uncle Sam has given m

must know how to care for my clothes and equipment. W

means delay in my study to become a soldier.

After I have learned how to live, I must learn how to fight.

I am a member of A RIFLE COMPAThats the unit the song writer was talking about when


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said, What do you do in the infantry? You march, you ma

you march. His answer is not quite complete, for we do m

things besides marching. In fact, marching is only

beginning, for it is only the means of transportation that

sometimes use to get us to where our work begins. Howe

at the end of a long day we sometimes agree with that sec

writer who said, And that song aint so very far from wro

The rifle company consists of three rifle platoons, a weap

platoon, and a headquarters group. In my training, I will l

to perform the duties of all members of the basic units of

the rifle platoon and weapons platoon.

The Rifle Squad

The rifle platoon consists of three rifle squads. Each squamade up of a squad leader, an assistant squad leader,

automatic rifle team of three men, and seven riflemen.

training will fit me to perform the functions of any of t

men.


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As a member of the squad, I will learn to handle its weap

will become a competent rifle shot, a good bayonet fighter,

proficient in the use of grenades. In addition, I must lear


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use the automatic rifle, for it is the basis of our squad's g

fire power.

But training in the use of our weapons is only

introduction to my real job. I must learn to read maps and

the compass, to move quietly, secretly, and quickly, both


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The Light Machine-Gun Squad

I am also being trained as a member of a light machine-

squad. There are two squads to a section and two section

the weapons platoon. As a member of a machine-gun squa

will be my job to aid in giving direct fire support to the

company, or to its smaller units. The machine-gun sq

consists of a squad leader, a gunner, an assistant gunner,

two ammunition bearers. As squad leader it would be my

to indicate where the gun will be mounted and to direcfire. As gunner, I would fire the piece, assisted by the assis

gunner, who would take my place, if necessary. As

ammunition bearer, I would see to it that the gun is consta

supplied with ammunition.


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The 60-mm Mortar Squad

Another stage of my training is as a member of a 60-

mortar squad. There are three squads in the section and

section in the weapons platoon. Each squad consists

squad leader, a gunner, an assistant gunner, and

ammunition bearers. As squad leader, I would determine

place from which the mortar is to be fired and then take

position from which I might observe and direct the fire.

gunner, I mount the mortar and lay it for elevation

deflection. As assistant gunner, I would load the mortar a

necessary, take over the position of gunner. As an ammuni

bearer, 1 would keep the mortar constantly supplied

ammunition and be prepared to replace the gunner

assistant gunner if it were necessary.


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Im a Member of A HEAVY WEAPO


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COMPANY. It is armed with the heavy infaweapons, the heavy machine gun and the 81-mm mortar,

are used for the close support of the rifle units. The comp

is made up of two machine gun platoons, one mortar plat

and a headquarters group. As a member of the heavy weapcompany, I will first learn to handle the individual weap

with which we are armed. I will become a competent shot

the rifle, the carbine, and the pistol, and will also learn to

all types of grenades. In addition, I will learn how to r

maps, how to use the compass, how to move quickly

noiselessly, how to conceal myself from enemy observat

and how to protect myself from enemy fire.


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The 81 mm Mortar Squad

In addition to my training as an individual and as a membe

the heavy machine gun squad, I will be trained as a membe

the 81-mm mortar squad. Like the heavy machine gun,

mortar is used for the close support of the rifle units,

unlike the machine gun, it is used for high angle fire only.

means that the mortar shell goes high in the air and dr

almost straight down on top of the enemy. Because of this,

can use it to throw shells over hills, into gullies, and o

places that cannot be reached by rifle or machine gun fire.

leader of our squad, I would determine the place from w

the mortar is to be fired and then take up a position f

which I could observe and direct the fire. As gunner, I wo

mount the mortar and align it so that we would hit the tar

As assistant gunner, I would help mount the mortar and l

it upon orders from the gunner, and when working as

ammunition bearer, I would help keep the gun crew supp

with ammunition.


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I am a member of THE CANN

COMPANY. I'm an infantryman but I'm certadifferent from my buddies in the rifle companies who are

to carry all of their equipment op their backs. Our equipincludes a sweet little ton and a-half howitzer that thro

four inch shell more than three and one-half miles.

certainly no shoulder weapon, but it's infantry through

through. It's infantry because it's right behind the front line

the rifleman, supporting them and clearing out en

pillboxes and machine gun nests so that they can advance.

ride most of the time, but when the going gets tough we h

to almost carry the cannon and its truck both, and that's nofor a softie. Our company consists of three cannon plato

and a headquarters group. Each platoon consists of

sections with one howitzer to a section. The howitzer cre

made up of a chief of section, a gunner, a truck driver,

seven cannoneers.


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As a member of a howitzer section, my early training wil

similar to that of all other infantrymen. I will bec

proficient with the rifle, the carbine, and all types of grena

In addition, I will learn to handle the bazooka so that I

protect my team-mates from enemy tank atta

Accompanying my training in individual weapons, I will l

to read maps and use the compass, for it is essential that

section always be at the right place at the right time.


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After I have completed my individual training, I will b

team training, the training that will make it possible for

section to handle our weapon efficiently and effectively.

chief of section, I am responsible for the proper performanc

duties in the section and for correct execution ofcommands. As gunner, I will lay the gun to hit the target.

The cannoneers aid in sighting the gun, prepa

ammunition, loading, and supplying ammunition for

howitzer. I will alternately perform all of these functions.


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Im a Member of THE ANTITA

COMPANY. The introduction of armored vehicleslarge numbers in modern warfare has brought about cha

in infantry organization to counteract tanks. While einfantry unit is armed and trained to fight tanks as a part o

combat mission, the antitank units are the only ones w

primary purpose is to destroy the enemy armored vehicles.

Unlike most infantrymen, I find it impossible to carry

equipment with me. Our weapon is neither a rifle no

machine gun, but a big 3,000 pound piece that shoots a

pound shell at approximately 2,800 feet per second. It'senough to stop any enemy tank that's been developed,

will do an excellent job on enemy fortifications as well.

company consists of three antitank platoons, one antit

mine platoon, and a headquarters group.

The Antitank Platoon

The antitank platoon is made up of three antitank squand a headquarters group. Each squad consists of a sq

leader, a gunner, four cannoneers, three ammunition bea

and a truck driver. My training will fit me to perform

functions of any of these men.


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As a member of the antitank squad, I will first receive

individual training. I will become proficient with the rifle,

carbine, and the .50 caliber machine gun, as well as learn

to use the bayonet and all types of grenades.

Having learned to handle our individual weapons effective

will learn to read maps and aerial photographs, to use

compass, to move quickly and silently, to conceal myself f

enemy observation, and to protect myself from enemy fire.


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The Antitank Mine Platoon


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In addition to my training with the antitank platoon, I

receive training with the antitank mine platoon. The antit

mines are used as obstacles to enemy tanks and hel

disabling them, or slowing them up so that they are easier

our antitank guns to hit.

The antitank mine platoon consists of three squads an

headquarters group. Each squad is made up of a squad le

and seven pioneers. As squad leader, I am in command of

squad and supervise the laying and removal of mines.

pioneer, I will aid in staking out mine fields, in laying mi

and in removing mines, both our own and enemy.


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When I have learned to effectively handle our weapons, Ibegin the technical training necessary to members of

group. I will learn to care for and operate the motor vehi

with which our squad is provided; to collect, study, inter

and pass on information to read maps and use the compas

move quickly, quietly, and secretly, both by day and by ni

to conceal myself from enemy observation; to cover my

from. enemy fire; and to act as a scout in observing

reporting the activities of the enemy.


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After I have learned to effectively handle our weapons, I

learn to conceal myself from enemy observation, to c

myself from his fire, and to move quickly and quietly by

or night.

When I have completed this general training, I will begin

specialized training as a member of the message center,

wire section, or the radio and visual section.

Message Center

I have been assigned to the message center. Here I will l

the International Morse Code, cryptography, the operatio

telephones, switchboards, and radios, and the use of pige

and visual signaling. In addition, I will learn the proce

and operation of the message center and the command pos

which it is a part.


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The Wire Section

Having been assigned to the wire section, I will learn


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I am a member of THE SERVI

COMPANY. This company is responsible fortraining of many different types of specialists who later wil

assigned to other units. These specialists include bug

cooks, motor mechanics, truck drivers, clerks, stenograph

armorer-artificers, and pioneers. As a member of the ser

company, I will learn to handle the weapons with which

armed, to become proficient in the use of the rifle, the carb

and the .50 caliber machine gun, as well as learn how to

the bayonet and all types of grenades. Having learne

handle our weapons effectively, I will learn to read maps

use the compass, to move quickly, silently, and secretly by

and by night, to conceal myself from enemy observation,

to cover myself from enemy fire.

When I have completed this instruction, I will begin

training as a specialist.

Buglers


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In addition to my musical instruction, I will have a great

to learn to be a competent bugler. I will not only learn to r

maps and use the compass but I will also learn to m

sketches and overlays for the use of others. I will lear

operate radios and to communicate with otherspyrotechnics and other visual means.

Also of extreme importance is my training as a scout

messenger. I will learn to select the best routes of travel,

by road and cross country, the best methods of conceal

and camouflage, and how to travel swiftly and unerringly

place indicated by a mere pin-prick on a map. I will learrepeat messages accurately without mistakes.


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When I have completed my training, I know I will be abl

do my part in keeping the company to which I am assignecondition to accomplish its mission.

Motor Mechanics

To be a competent motor mechanic, I must learn

disassemble, repair, and reassemble all types of truck engi

power transmission systems, steering assemblies, and brak

must learn how to service and adjust motor trucks periodicin order that they may be kept in perfect working order.

In addition, I must learn how to select and train dri

how to conduct a motor column on the march, how to

vehicles operating efficiently in extremes of heat and c

how to operate motor parks, and how to transport m

equipment by rail.


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obstacles which they have built to stop us. I will learn house explosives in order that I may clear a path thro

difficult areas, and to improvise means of crossing stream

deep gullies. In fact, I am a pioneer, for I will clear the p

build the roads and bridges, that others may follow.


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However, we are here not for comfort but to learn ho

conduct ourselves in bivouac under actual field conditi

Our training is based on the assumption that the enemy is


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and our actions must be such as to keep him in ignoranc

our location or even our very existence. That means that

must practice all we have ever learned about camouflage

concealment and that we must be constantly prepared to

his attacks whether they come by air or by land.

In addition to the actual practice we receive in field sanitat

camouflage, concealment, and cover, each unit is busy

many different field problems which teach us how our u


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over there now.

I AM A DOUGHBOY

IN COMBAT. My primary mission is to close with the en

and destroy or capture him. While all of the other arms

services render indispensable support, it is the action of

infantry which will bring the present war to a decisive

victorious conclusion.


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"Gentlemen, here they come, the queen of battles,

infantrymen, the old foot sloggers. Twenty-five ye

ago at West Point an old tactical professor used to


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"We are fighting this war to the finish. And whethetravels to work in a glider or a truck; a jeep

parachute or a landing craft, that finish will be fou

by the infantry-man on foot."

Lesley J. McNair, Lieutenant General, U. S. A.


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"I love the infantry because they are the underd

They are the mud-rain-frost-and-wind boys. They h

no comforts, and they even learn to live withoutnecessities and in the end they are the guys that w

can't be won without."

Ernie Pyle,


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I Am a Doughboy

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