Citizens’ Military Training Camps (C. M. T. C) were summer camps set up by the United States Government during the years 1921 to 1940. Their purpose was to give basic military training to young men who could volunteer to attend the camps and get military training without the obligation that they immediately would be called to active service. The National Defense Act of 1920 authorized the camps as part of a compromise with those who wanted to require universal military training for all men.
Marlin M. Zigner of Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, was one of volunteer trainees. On July 22, 1924, Zigner wrote a letter to the Lykens Standard (published August 1, 1924), in which he touted the benefits of the C. M. T. C.:
Fort Monroe, Virginia
July 22, 1924
Dear Sir:
Was more than pleased when received the Home Town paper thru your thoughtfulness, and I want to thank you for doing so. It gave me great pleasure in reading it, for it enables one who is far away from the Old Home Town and its Paper to read and find out the happenings of the past during a person’s absence. Since I have been receiving your paper, it makes me feel as though i am at Camp and back home at the same time. Up until date, I have been able to know, and I owe it all to the STANDARD. Again I thank you for your kindness for there are very few things that could be more appreciated more by me.
Perhaps you would like to know the benefits one derives from attending a C. M. T. C. Camp. Here are a few of the main ones and you can judge for yourself whether the camp is beneficial or detrimental.
In the first place it builds up the body and makes it muscular thru consistent marching and drilling as well as the benefits derived from the pure wholesome food which is fed to us.
Second, it builds up our moral character thru the addresses given us by higher schooled officers who tell us how to conduct ourselves in either Military or moral life.
Third, through the night schooling given to the Blue Course men, it builds them up mentally for all lessons, heading up even to higher mathematics, are given there day in and day out thruout the whole month of training.
Last but not least, Patriotism is taught t all. This one thing in itself prepares all men attending the C. M. T. C. camp for their duty toward their Country, which in some future time will speak for itself. Now Patriotism and Camp life do not seem so great but the time will come when all people will realize the necessity of military training camps, and will favor them more by ending their sons to attend and build them up. In conclusion, as a whole, the life at a C. M. T. C. Camp cannot be beat for the reasons given above, and if you feel as though people will derive a benefit from reading and knowing these things, I let it up to you to publish it or not.
A Friend of the Standard.
MARLIN M. ZIGNER, Battery A, C. M. T. C., Fort Monroe, Virginia.
___________________________________
From Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.