Military And Naval America

der commanders, subordinate to his general command. The President exercises this command through the Secretary of War and the Chief of Staff. The Secretary of War directly represents the President and acts in conformity to his policies. Under the law his acts, orders, and instructions are the acts, orders, and instructions of the President. The rules and regulations governing the Army are promulgated to it in the following language: "The President of the United States directs that the following regulations for the Army be published for the government of all concerned, and that they be strictly observed. Nothing contrary to the tenor of these regulations will be enjoined in any part of the forces of the United States by any commander whomsoever." These regulations comprise 123 Articles of War and 1,578 paragraphs of regulations covering every phase of military routine. Officers and enlisted men subscribe to an oath to bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America; to serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies whomsoever; and to obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over them according to the rules and articles of war. The military system of the United States is based upon voluntary enlistment in a small standing Army and upon Volunteers and National Guard as occasion may require. The original Army in 1790 consisted of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, aggreg...