, the majority has
worn the insignia of expert rifleman, sharpshooter, or marksman. Here at
Quantico the men have completed their course of intensive training in
the new organizations formed at that post for service overseas. Five
regiments of infantry, with their attendant replacement units, have been
organized in addition to a brigade of artillery, since the creation of
this new post, in June, 1917.
Besides the brigade of marines in France, it is necessary to maintain
forces of marines in Santo Domingo, Hayti, the Virgin Islands, Guam,
Cuba, China, the Philippines, Porto Rico, and Honolulu, while there is a
small detachment in London. The fleet of battleships and cruisers
absorbs a goodly percentage of the present force, while at the same time
it has been necessary to supply men to augment the garrisons of the
navy-yards, naval ammunition depots, radio-stations, and other posts of
the country.
CHAPTER XV
Scope Of The Navy's Work In Various Particulars--Food--Fuel--Naval
Consulting Board--Projectile Factory--Expenditures--Increase Of
Personnel
In the way of progress in naval construction or appliance, it is not the
opinion of our naval technicians that the war from its inception to the
present time has developed any hitherto unknown feature. Guns and ships,
to be sure, have increased in size, and details of the submarine and
airplane have vastly improved these weapons of offense, but
substantially no weapon hitherto known has been discredited by use in
this war, and even all classes of war-ships built before the war have
withstood the test of new conditions as to their usefulness along the
lines for which they were originally designed.
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