enlisted as reserves while completing their
courses.

It was not until October, 1917, that the Officers' Training Corps really
got under way, as a definite part of the curriculum. But once started
the response was overwhelming. Though the attendance in the University
had declined by 1,239, and the course was not compulsory, there were
1,800 enrolled by the end of the first week. To introduce this great
body of embryo soldiers to the rudiments of military drill the
Government sent just one officer, Lieut. George C. Mullen, who had
retired after some years' service in the earlier Philippine campaigns.
Later came two sergeants, and another officer, Lieut. Losey J. Williams.
With this slender force, and the aid of a company of Faculty men who
drilled every night in order to prepare themselves as advisors, or
"tactical officers" to supervise the student company commanders and with
300 old rifles, Michigan managed to "carry on," maintaining the largest,
though owing to these difficulties probably not the most effective
R.O.T.C. organization in the country. Nevertheless it served a very
useful purpose, as its continually dwindling ranks indicated; for the
better men were leaving all the time for the numerous training camps
which had been established in the meantime. Of the 800 who received
commissions after the first course at Camp Custer only 60 percent
survived, but among these were all the candidates sent from the Michigan
R.O.T.C., twenty-two of whom were included in the first hundred.

The University may also claim particular credit for the development of
courses in army stores, which were first instituted by Professor, later
Lieutenant-Colonel, Joseph A. Bursley, '99_e_. This course, which aimed
to fit men for the ordnance and quartermasters departments, grew through
six successive increments every six weeks, to about 250 men, and proved
so practical and effective that similar courses were installed in other
universities. In the same manner similar short courses were established
in the Engineering College for the training of mechanics, particularly
in the maintenance and repair of gas engines. The first course of eight
weeks began on April 15, 1917, and prepared 195 men for this important
branch of the service. A detachment of 700 men followed which included
500 automobile repair men, 100 general mechanics, 60 gunsmiths, and 40
carpenters.

These men came as enlisted soldiers and were under the command of
Captain, lat