Dean Gilkey of Chicago Outlines Scheme Of Voluntary Military Training For Universities

Praising the plan as a worthy community enterprise as well as a sound preliminary for general military service, Dean Charles W. Gilkey '03 of the University of Chicago described here yesterday a new system of voluntary military training.

Known as the "Chicago Plan," the program, he explained, calls for an evening school of military tactics and discipline, open to all members of the University and of the community who wish some military education before they are drafted.

Conducted entirely by the University's Institute of Military Studies, the course is taught by civilian instructors, who, the Institute claims, can teach their students more rapidly than can the Army officers of the R.O.T.C.

Plan Is Joint Enterprise

"As conducted in Chicago," Gilkey said, "the plan proves to be a real bond between the University and the community. It is a joint enterprise, and therefore can do much to improve the relations between the University and the city, especially where, as here, some people are doubtful or suspicious of the College."

According to Arthur L. H. Rubin, director of the Institute, the course, while it does not quality men for commissions directly, should give officer material to the Army and accelerate training in its officer schools. The plan has only been in operation since December, so that it is not yet certain how its graduates actually will progress after their induction.

"No technical subjects," he stated, "are taught in the basic course. Instead, the men concentrate on the more fundamental subjects, such as marksmanship, practice with hand-grenades, manual of arms, drill, map work, and simple tactics, the kind of knowledge that they would need immediately, as privates."

Above this course, the Institute offers instruction in specialized fields. There are also, Dean Gilkey said, groups sponsored by the government but taught by the University, and one school in which even the teaching is done by Army officers.