The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-04-23
HOW TO IGLIsr IN THR-ARMY

The army varies from the navy
in the fact that there is no ban TO
promotion from the ranks to the
highest grade. General Nelson A..
Miles, at the head of the United
States army, is not q graduate of
West Point, and there are many
instances Of private soldiers and
even CONSIDERS" becoming commits
stoned officers.
The appointments to the war
school of instruction at West Point,
on the Hudson river, so miles above
New York city, are made by con-
gressmen, each representative hav-
ing the right to detail an, eligible
youth, between the ages Of 18 and
Il, from his district when it is not
represented at the Military acad-
envy. The president also has been
given the authority to appoint ten,
sat large" and usually grants the
favor to the son of a former or pres
ent officer of either branch of mill
tary (which includes navy and
army } service.
Entrance examinations and an
nual reviews of book knowledge
are the same as at the Naval acad-
envy, and during the summer the
cadets 60 into camp near West
Point. The fact is that, aside from
drills in seamanship, howitzer and
boat practice, the course of instruc-
ton at both the academies, West
Point and Annapolis, is very SINH
lar, for the naval cadets are exer-
cised in infantry tactics, fencing
and broadsword exercises, and on
tuoir daily evening parade present
fully as imposing presence and
exactitude of martial stride as the
military pupils.
The special difference between
the two schools is in the age and
pay of the students. The West
Pointers, as indicated in the age
requirement for admission, are older
men, and, while their annual sti-
pend during the scholastic term of
four years is about the same as that
given at Annapolis, upon gradua-
ton they become second lieutenants
and receive larger salary than that
allotted to those completing the
course at the Naval academy.
Promotion with them to the
grades of first lieutenant. captain,
major, lieutenant colonel, colonel
and brigadier general is fully as
slow as it is in the naval service,
but the compensation is always
comparatively larger. For this one
reason the army might be consid-
cred the more favorite branch OF
military service, and yet there has
never been any popular or privately
determined feeling that it was so.
To those that wish to enlist as
privates there are recruiting stations
to be foundin every large city OF
the United States, and the applicant
may select either the cavalry, in.
fantry or artillery. If be has had
former experience, he will at present
be especially welcomed by the re-
cruiting sergeant or captain in
charge of the Office. The applicant
must necessarily ill the special re.
quirements Of age, stature and chest
measure and be in good bodily con.
dition. If so, he is very liable to
be Immediately enrolled and receive
clothes, shelter, board, medicine,
surgical attendance when necessary
and the exorbitant cash sum OF
$13 a month. But, then, the entire
allotment is worth $45 or $50 a
month, and there are some men
who can't earn this sum.
The promotion of the private sol,
dier may be very rapid in time Of
war. If be is an educated man and
of any especial ability, he may be
wearing colonel's epaulets before
he returns from the fields of battle
In the piping times of peace bis
advancement is to that Of corporal
and sergeant, technically termed
noncommissioned officers, and then
if he has influence or his own indi.
viduality predominates he may be
allowed to attempt the examination
of first lieutenancy. If he sue.
ceeds in passing both the physical
and mental demands, he is then 8
commissioned officer in the U. 8
army, and his career 10 as free be-
fore him as if he had all the training
and glories of a West Point course
The signal corps Of the army il
also an excellent branch of the ser
vice, but the complement is limited
and admissions generally are rare
The men in it form a sort of indie
pendent corps and of class rel
atively between private and {
minor commissioned officer.
In case of war the militia or ma
tional guard of the several states
which is now being augmented BY
hasty enlistments and application
from hundreds of others who viii
not be allowed to enroll, will not b.
mustered into service after the reg
ular army. It is popular falacy
to think that such is the case. Th
United States government does no