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allowing for earlier identification of machine gun nests and providing fewer troops for

the enemy to target.

The doctrine for unit training was evolving, but it is not clear that the training the

91st division executed in the United States ever did. Although the October 1918

regulation was published by the War Department after the 91st had already fought in the

Meuse-Argonne, the change in mindset had been addressed in other ways. Greene and his

staff went to Europe to view the front and meet Pershing in late 1917, but there did not

appear to be any major shift in training when he returned. Training schedules within the

division closely mirrored the guidance outlined in the initial 1917 Infantry Training

manual. In the 364th Infantry, there was some frustration. One company commander

recorded that “our field training was altogether along the lines of the old Field Service

Regulations. None of the newly developed field service or deployments were taught, or

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allowed to be taught.” Although there were exercises at the battalion level and above,

most of the training at Camp Lewis remained focused on individual skills.

One of the most important individual skills was marksmanship, and the men of

the 91st focused much of their training time on weapons proficiency. In December 1917,

most of the weapons for the division arrived and the live training at the Camp Lewis

ranges began in earnest. Incentives to perform well at the ranges included a badge, extra

pay, and bragging rights. Soldiers began on short ranges up to 300 yards, with and

without bayonet. Those who did well advanced to the 500 and 1000 yard course. The 91st

also focused heavily on marksmanship at night. The Headquarters Company, 361st

Infantry memoirs include a description of the imagination and innovation often used in

35 Graupner, 19.

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