Name/Title
StereographEntry/Object ID
2023.055.3.0149Description
A black and white stereograph. Image is of an instructor leading a large group of soldiers through physical training. Above he image "W192 (Star)" is printed, below the image "19063 The Heart of the Nation - Every Mother's Son Ready to Do His Duty, Calisthenics in the Army." is printed, to the left of the image "Keystone View Company Copyrighted, Manufacturers MADE IN U.S.A. Publishers" is printed, to the right of the image "Meadville, Pa., New York, N. Y., Chicago, Ill., London, England." is printed. On the reverse the following is printed:
19063
CALLISTHENICS IN THE ARMY
At no time in the hsitory of our nation has the general health of the men in the army been so good as it was during our participation the World War. Reports constantly came from the cantonments of the marked improvement in the peronsal appearance of the men after a few weeks of army life.
Never before had so much attention been paid to the physical development of the men in the army. Uncle Sam realized that the healthy soldier would be a contented one, and contented soldiers seldom if ever desert.
One reason for the excellent physical condition of the men was the athletics and physical excercises which form part of the army routine. The raw recruit was given plenty of work to do. Physical culture was not given him because he was idle with time hanging heavy on his hands. His day from 5:30 in the morning unitl 9:45 at night was a full one with but little time to himself. But, no matter how much work he did, or how hard his labor, therr was need for some systematic physical training.
Ex-President Roosevelt was so impressed with the physical, mental and moral development of the men in our national cantonments that he advocated the continuation of such camps after the war as permanent features of the life of all young men. The means for accomplishing this purpose has been provdied for all young men who will avail of it by the Naitonal Defense Act of June 4th, 1920. Three courses of training, the Red, White and Blue Courses, are provided for young men between the ages of 17 and 27 years, each course requiring 15 days. If in three succesive years a young man takes all three, he will be entitled upon graduation from the Blue course to appointment as 2nd Lieutenant in the Officer Reserve Corps.
Copyright by The Keystone CompanyCollection
Photograph Collection