These were the days of the soldiers being trained in combat.
Soldiers training
The time before the trenches were usually spent doing training and the down time trying to get to know each one of the men in your section.
Before men signed up for war they were promised a teaching in many skills that prepared them in the fullest for the war. In the novel “All Quiet On the Western Front” Paul and his mates were believed to learn important battle techniques and the weapons involved. But to their realisation most of the time was boredom of doing nothing but the usual activities like marching, which were set by their corporal Himmelstoss. During the war many soldiers were convinced to be kept occupied learning different skills in general conditions. They didn't get what was expected the men lived among poor hygiene and utillites and weren't up to standard. Men were often bored and unoccupied that they were waiting for the call up towards the front.