Milford chronicle., 1907-11-08
A Career in the Navy.

ents are called upon to ask, and many o.
them fail to receive a satisfactory answer.
e Their boy has been ts the Recruiting ONCE
r or ne has talked with some schOOl-mate who
has joined the Service, and he has determined
that be wants 10 go 10 sea- He has caught the
glamor OF Naval career he wants TO see the
strange things Of this world, OF which he has
but vague knowledge, and he is hred with
the spirit OF adventure which comes TO All
healthy boys.
But the Recruiting Officer is not allowed
under the law 10 accept him unless his mar.
ents sign a formal consent and they are in a
quandry whether to heed the boys pleadings.
or refuse their consent. Lack OF knowledge
concerning the life ofs biuejaeket usually acts
as a deterrent
As matter OF fact the Navy offers q work
ing boy an excellent opportunity, and for the
benefit OF Just such parents will briefly des-
cribe what may be expected II their son
should enlist.
II the lad is over Il, and he possesses no
trade which would be OF use in the Navy he
would enter as Apprentice Seaman. The first
actual step in his Naval career is taken when
he signs inc enlistment papers, and is sent to
a Naval Training Station. Here he is given a
careful physical examination TO determine
AAS Ao-H al All Luenk H0 OF
detected by the Recruiting Surgeon, and is
kept in the Detention Camp a few days IN or.
der that be may have time 10 develop any
contagious disease This precantjon is taken
as protection TO the hundreds Of boys al the
Training Station for an epidemic OF dipther-
ia or measles al the Station is \ serions mat.
ter.
! Amer this period Of detention is over. be is
fully equipped. with Regulation uniform,
blankets, hamTock, bag for his clothes, and
sundry necessaries, when he is assigned 10
quarters In one Of the large dOmitorIes, and 10
a place In the mess hall. Heis also detsiled
to one Of the Company Squads, and bis actual
traiRing begins.
The course OF instruction covers a wide
range. He is drilled In infantry tactics in ar.
tlilery, In the use and care OF small arms,
pistol rife. etc, he is taught to swim, 70 row,
to steer, to sail he is detailed to target prac.
tice and after few weeks be is assigned to
one OF the yachts or small gunboats for aIfew
days cruise, during which time he is given |
such instruction as can be obtained Oh board !
ship.
During all this period he has ample time /
for games and athletics A fully equipped 1
gymnasium is at his disposal, with competent
physical instructors. He is required to study .
and is periodically examined IN the tasks he |
has been taught. On Sundays he has no
drills, but is expected to attend devotional
exercises, either in the Station chapel. or in
the church Of his denomination in the city.
His health is carefully looked after. and he
is giveh an ample allowance OF plain whole
some food prepared by skilled cooks, and ser.
we'd with immaculate cleanliness After he
has accumulated months pay on the Pay
masters books he can then draw some mon
ey but his wants al frst are few.
The cou se Of instruction lasts for about
four months, when. il he passes a satisf 4ctorv
examination theapprt ntice seaman is.sraiedn
that is, he is given an advance of Ss.OOa month ,
and the rate ef ordinary seaman. II his con-
duct has been exemplary he will probably be
given few days leave before being sent 10
lea.
When be reaches the ship he is assigned to I
! division and is given certain duties 10 per. p
orm, II be does them faithfully and learns p
eadily bis new duties. II will not be long
lntil he is again advanced to seaman. al
"a % a month He is given more response
lie duties and as he learns them he will soos
'e selected for a billet as Srd class petty Off
er' paying 5000 a month. After that his
1rther Advancement depends largely upon
lis own efforts and department for there are
acsncies constantly occurring In every ship
u petty officers and his superiors are ever
n the lookout for a man qualified 80 fill these
Important ratings. The higher positions pay
800 for petty officers 2nd class; $40 for lst a
lass and s5Oto $50 Tor chief petty Officers, and
% after year in the grade.
II is possible for an ambitions youpg n,yp
attain the billit Of chief petty ofiic r., with
1fg a
It even II he gets no further than Boat
7ains-Mate lst class, he is drawing $40 a 4
Onth, practically free OF Il ing expenses.
II hoHOrabiy discharged he can remain at
'me four months, and when he re.enters.
III be given four months pay, and starts his
" enlistment With s. Sc more than he drew
his previous term.
4 he prefers civil life after one enlistment
has he 5 tisfaction OF having seen a large
rtiOn Of the world, and has been well paid
d found He has, besides, acquired
fnlng which will stand him IN good stead
any occupation, for the man who has been
lied in the discipline OF the Navy has
rned habits Of regularity and seli-reliance
ich he never forgets
T he decides to remain in the Service his
? Increases with each enlistment and may -
for a Warrant-a position paying from
u TO s2lOO year. and one whic1 he NAV
d fer life. He may even later prepare for
mination for a commission, but that
ans several years OF hard work and study
be Dluejackets Of our Navy are well fed
cared for, and they are not equalled in in
gence and ability by any Navy on earth.
Navy is practically con posed Of Ameri-
citizens, and only Am. Iicsss can enter.
ir moral welfare is looked after, a chap
being detailed 10 every Training station For
most OF the battleships. And for a young Eve
VINO - no, SlIala Of ork' and is willing mu
nperiors the Nav of,ers " 'He oo o,uels s oi beel
very lucrative as well as exceedingly IN. can
sting occupation. goo
JOHN r. Cox.
l.