Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-02
WANT TO BE A SOLDIER?
Here Are the Latest Rules and Reuu.
lations for Joinin' the Army,

Circular, No. 20, of the war depart-
ment contains the new regulations for
the enlistment of men in the regular
army. There are some changes from
the old regulations. Applicants for
first enlistment must be between the
ages of q and 80 years, Of good char
acter and temperate habits, ablebodied.
free from disease, and must be able to
speak, read. and write the English
language. Minors will not be enlisted
Original enlistments will be confined to
persons who are citizens of the United
States, or Of Porto Rico. or who have
made legal declaration of their inten-
ton TO become citizens of the United
States. Married men will be enlisted
only upon the approval Of a regimental
commander. or other proper command
ing officer. if their be no regimental
organiza ton.
1t is necessary for all applicants 10
he able to have a good reputation. for
they are required to show to the re-
cruiting officer that they are within the
age limits and have a good character.
This they must be able to do by reli-
able evidence. If necessary.
For infantry and coast artillery the
height must be not less than five feet
four inches, and weight not less than
one hundred and twenty O2W pounds
and not more than one hundred and
ninety 13O) pounds. For cavalry and
field artillery the height must be not
less than five feet four inches and not
more than five feet ten inches, and
weight not to exceed one hundred and
sjXty-ive G65) pounds. No minimum
weight is prescribed for these arms.
but the chest measures must be salts
factory.
Applicants in good health are allowed
n variation of 10 pounds i'm weight and
two inches in chest measure. They are
required to pay their expenses to the
place Of enlistment. Their fitness for
the service can only he determined by
examination at a military post or re-
cruiting office. All soldiers receive
from the government. without cost and
in addition to their pay. rations. cloth
ing, bedtime. medicine and medical at
tendance. The circular also contains a
table Of the rates of pay to members
of the different branches Of army
services. after which the following in
formation is presented:
The pay proper of enlisted men
serving in the Philippine Islands, the
Island OF Guam, Alaska, China and
Panama" is increased twenty rer
centun over and above the rates of
pay proper as given herein. When
soldiers reenlist within three months
of date Of discharge their service is
continuous, and for such continuous
service there is added 81 per month for
third year, 50 per month for fourth
year. So per month for fifth year. and
thereafter 50 per month additional is
allowed for the sixth to the tenth year,
inclusive. and for continuous service of
more than ten years an additional 81
per month for each successive period
of five years.
The soldier can deposit his savings
in sums Of not less than S. with any
Army paymaster, and for sums so
deposited for the period Of six months
or longer, the soldier, on his final dis
charge, will be paid interest at the rate
of four per cent per ahrum. These
deposits are nonforfeitable except by
deSertiOn.
Whenever il soldier is lTonorably dis
charged at the expiration of his en-
listmcnt. or on account of disability.
his travelpay is ample to carry him to
the place of enlistment.
BY care and economy a soldier can
save from his clothing allowance Il
considerable sum. payable to him on
his discharge. Soldiers WHO have
served honestly and faithfully twenty
years or who have been discharged for
wounds received. or disease incurred
in service, are entitled to admission to
the Soldiers Home in the city of Wash
ington. The sum of 1917 cents per
month is deducted from each soldiers
pay, to DO applied toward the support
Of the Home. After thirty years
service enlisted men are entitled to he
retired. and upon retirement receive
thrcc-fourths of the monthly pay al
lowed by law to them in the grade they
held when retired. and $3.50 per month
additional as communication for clothing
and subsistence. In computing time
for retirement credit is given a soldier
for double the time of his actual service
in China. Cuba. Philippine Islands,
Island of Guam, Alaska. and Panama.
The recruiting stations in Maine are
located in Portland and Bangor