Company F: 1915

Isn't it curious to see so many weapons on school property, as it appears each boy has either a bayonet or a sword. Then it was required, but today it is forbidden. And yet, with JennyPennifer's delicious reference to what she perceives as one student's "Leopold-and-Loebish" characteristics -- a theme excellently portrayed in Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Rope' "Rope" -- we know that times past were not as pure as we often romanticize them to be. The ability to do harm is ever-present in each generation; it is the ability to repress one's impulses that is deficient in many today.
***
Lest this end with too much of a macabre tenor, doesn't the guy at bottom right look strikingly like Joe DiMaggio?

From 1941 to 1944, I was a member of E Company, 5th Regiment High School Cadet Corps at Roosevelt high School.

John Phillip Sousa, while he was the civilian director of the U. S. Navy Band at the Navy Yard in Washington, wrote a march for the D.C. high school cadet corps -- "The High School Cadet March."

Weirdly reminiscent of my husband's Citadel pictures. I like the boy in the fourth row from the top, right of center -- the one having a hard time concealing a fit of mirth. Perhaps he's not aware there's a distinctly Leopold-and-Loeb-ish character standing directly to his right, who also appears to be harboring a humorous (dark?) secret. And amongst the rank and file there's at least one nonconformist -- middle center, whte-gloved hands folded across his chest instead of curled at his sides.

Everyone is so fit and accepting two or three: serious.

Another phenomenal Shorpy photo. The kepi they are wearing is on its last legs, as it was soon to be replace by the service cap, probably after the Great War. I see they carry a bayonet that looks to be the 18" bayonet for the 1861 Springfield; would be nice to see a photo of them at drill to confirm.

The girl in the window sees me!