Red River prospector. (Red River, Taos County, N.M.) 1900-190?, 1906-08-02
GOOD SAILORS.
MEN FROM THE MIDDLE WEST
WELCOMED IN THE NAVY.
For Those Who Have a Fondness for
the Sea-, Service on Uncle Sans
Ships Offers Many In
duceinents.

For the past few years the navy
has been recruiting quite extensively
in the middle west.
From data obtained at the navy de-
partment, it appears that a superior
class Of men are obtained from this
section. A less number of recruits
are rejected for physical causes at the
final examination at the training sta
tons, and the men show an unusual
degree Of intelligence and aptitude
fod learning their new duties. A
large number of mechanics are re-
cruited from cities in the middle west,
but the greater proportion Of boys
who enlist in this rating are sent to
a training station, where they are
given a thorough course OF instruc-
ton, fitting them for the duties Of
the seaman branch. For a young man
with a fondness for the sea a fine
opportunity is open in the navy.
While the pay at the start for appren-
tice seaman is small-only SIG per
month-it must be borne in mind that
ne is paid this rate only while he is
undergoing instructions and not ac-
tually performing any duty aboard
ship; then, too, his board, lodging and
medical attendance, and original out
mt of uniform are furnished him
gratis. His transportation from the
recruiting Office to a training station
is paid for by the government, and
should he leave the service because
of physical disqualihcations, he isl
furnished with transportation to his
home. An ample opportunity for pro-
motion is open to him. After master
ing the details of any particular
branch of the service, such as the
seaman branch, or any of the mechan-
ical branches, he is eligible for adj
vancement to petty officer, third class,
which pays $50 to $35 a month.
after reaching that rating, advance
Ment to second class petty officer,
Nt'st class petty officer and chief pet
~ officer depends entirely upon his
own capabilities and conduct. The
gay of a chief petty officer is $40 per
month, to which should be added free
lNtions, lodging, medical care and
Euspital treatment, if he be in need
n it. There are extra allowances for
c-'rtain duties, such as service aboard
submarines, for experiences in Signal
.rg, or as a gun pointer; reenlist-
faents, good conduct medals, and
Nther things which bring the pay of
. chief petty officer with a permanent
appointment to SIS or $85 per month,
Clear of living expenses.
Further advancement is open to the
nan of ability who studies n inn
proves all his opportunities to war
rant rank. This position pays from
h1.20O to $1,000 a year and allow
snces, and is a life position, with all
fhe benefits of longevity pay and re-
firement that commissioned officers
receive.
1t is not impossible to even attain
commissioned rank in the navy. It
sleans hard work and a great deal OF
rudy, but the fact that every year
vince the passage of the act authoriz-
Ag the commissioning of men from
the ranks, some candidates have
passed the examination, shows that
The goal is within the reach Of any
Aright. capable young man WHO is
Wiling to work for it. Once he is
commissioned an ensign, he Is on
Exactly the same footing as a grad
late Of the naval academy, and is
eligible to promotion to the higher
tanks, the same as the other members
If his class, and should easily be
able in the ordinary course to reach
The grade of captain, if not even that
Of rear admiral, before his COMPULSORY
retirement at 60 years of age The
drst man to take advantage of the
provisions of this law was Lieut.. H.
B. Soule, u. S. N. He was serving
as gunner in 1901, at the time of the
passage of the act, and passed a sue
cessful examination hat year, receiv-
ing an appointment as ensign. Since
then he has been promoted to ~lieuten-
ant, junior grade, then to lieutenant,
and is now nearly half way through
that grade. He entered the service
as apprentice, third class, at SO per
month.