Military Training Commission

The Military Training Commission was established by Chapter 566 of the Laws of 1916, to provide military and disciplinary training to boys in order to "more thoroughly and comprehensively" prepare them for "the duties and obligations of citizenship." The commission was composed of three members, all of whom served without compensation for a term of four years: the major general commanding the National Guard ex officio (as chairman); one member appointed by the Board of Regents (in practice this appointee was the Commissioner of Education); and one member appointed by the governor. Initially the commission could appoint or remove an inspector of physical training and other employees and was required to make an annual report to the governor containing a summary of business transacted and a detailed statement of expenditures.

Under the 1916 law (which amended article 1-A of the Military Law), the duties of the commission were to "advise and confer" with the Regents regarding "courses of instruction in physical training to be prescribed for elementary and secondary schools" and to recommend to the Regents the establishment in such schools of "habits, customs, and methods best adapted to develop correct physical posture and bearing, mental and physical alertness, self control, disciplined initiative, sense of duty and the spirit of co-operation under leadership." The law required all boys sixteen through eighteen years of age, except those exempted by the commission, to be given military training prescribed by the commission for not more than three hours each week during the school or college year. Boys who were not in school but "regularly and fully employed" were exempted, but could volunteer. The training was conducted under the supervision of the commission by male teachers and physical instructors of schools or colleges or by officers and enlisted men of the National Guard or Naval Militia.

The commission was empowered to regulate exemptions and prescribe rules for compulsory attendance during the periods of military training. The commission was authorized to establish and maintain state military camps of instruction for annual summer field training for the boys. Pupils attending state agricultural schools and colleges were given preference. Any organization entitled to state funds under agricultural law was obliged to allow use of its grounds and if it refused state funds could be withheld. The commission was also charged with maintaining courses of instruction for male teachers and physical instructors or others who volunteered. State military property, including armories, armaments, and other equipment not required for use of the National Guard or Naval Militia, could also be used for military drills. The military authorities were authorized to loan the commission any property necessary for maintenance of the field training camps. School authorities were authorized to permit use of school buildings and grounds for carrying out the law.

Chapter 49 of the Laws of 1917 (further amending the Military Law) deleted provisions that exempted boys employed outside of school. It also provided that, at the commission's discretion, the military training requirement could be met, in part, by such vocational training that would "prepare boys... for service useful to the state, in the maintenance of defense, in the promotion of public safety, in the conservation and development of the state's resources, or in the construction and maintenance of public improvements." The Military Law was further amended in 1918 (Chapter 470), to allow the commission to issue each boy who complied with its requirements a certificate stating that he was enrolled in military training and meeting the requirements of the law. No boy would be permitted to continue in any public or private school or college in the state unless he held such a certificate or was exempted by the commission. School aid appropriated by the legislature would be withheld from any school that violated this provision, and such a school would not be recognized as one which might be attended by the holder of a state scholarship. The law further stated that any boy of age who did not hold a certificate or who was not exempted by the commission "shall not be employed or continued in employment by any person, firm or corporation within this state."

Chapter 407 of the Laws of 1919 allowed the commission to prescribe a clothing style and equipment composing a uniform. The commission was abolished by Chapter 211 of the Laws of 1921. That law also disposed of the commission's property through the adjutant general who was to "take charge of all property in possession of the commission." Books, papers, records, and documents of the commission not required for military purposes were to be turned over by the adjutant general to the state library; all other property was to be given to the trustees of public buildings. In addition the law required that all male and female pupils over age eight in all public elementary and secondary schools be provided with "physical training" by licensed qualified teachers. Authority was assigned to the commissioner of education under rules written by the Regents and analogous provisions were extended to private schools. Chapter 389 of the Laws of 1921 (amending the Education law) discontinued military training in the schools and authorized the Regents to determine the subjects included in courses of physical training, the period of instruction and attendance of such courses, and the quality of physical training teachers.