The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-11-12
ADVANTAGES
OF THE NAVY
What Uncle Sam Does for His
Sailor Boys when they
are Afloat.
THE PAY AND OPPORTUNITIES

ask, and many of them fail to receive
satisfactory answer. Their boy has
been to the Recuiting Office, or he has
talked with some schoolmate who has
joined the Service, and he has deter
mined that he wants to go to sea. He
has caught the glamour of Naval
career he wants to see the, strange
things of this world, of which be has
but a vague knowledge, and he is fired
with the spirit of adventure which
comes to all healthy boys.
But the Recruiting Officer is not al
lowed under the law to oaccept him un-
less his parents sign formal consent !:
and they are in a quandry whether to
heed the boys pleadings, or refuse
their consent. Lack Of knowledge
concerning the life of a bluejacket
usually acts as deterrent.
AS matter of fact, the Navy offers
a working boy an excellent opportuni-
ty, and for the benefit of just such par
ents will briefly describe what may
If the lad is over seventeen, 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 the enlistment papers, and is
sent to a Naval Training Station.
Here he is given a careful physical ex-
animation TO determine whether he
has any disQualifying ailment not de-
tected by the Recruiting Surgeon, and
is kept in the Dentention Camp a few
days in order that he may have time
to develop any contagious disease.
This precaution is taken as protec-
tion to the hundreds of boys at the
Training Station ; for an epidemic of
diptheria or measles at the Station is
serious matter.
After this period of detention is
over, he is fully equipped with Regu
lation uniform, blankets, hammock,
bag for his clothes. and sundry neces-
saries, when he is assigned to quarters
in one Of the large domitorieS, and to
a place in the mess hall. He is also
detailed to one of the Company Squads,
and his actual training begins.
The course of instruction covers a
wide range. He is drilled in infantry
tactics; in artillery, in the use and
care of small arms, pistol, rifle, etc. ;
he is taught to swim, to row, to steer,
TO sail +; he is detailed to target prac-
tice; and after few weeks he is as
signed to one of the yachts or small
gunboats for a few days cruise, during
which time he is given such instruc-
tion as can be obtained on board ship.
During all this period he has ample
time for games and athletics. A fully
equipped gymnasium is at his disposal,
with competent physical instructors.
He is required to study, and is periodi-
cally examined in the tasks he has
been taught. On Sundays he has no
drills, but is expected TO attend devo-
tional exercises, either in the Station
chapel, or in the church of his denom-
ination in the city.
His health is carefully looked after,
and he is given an ample allowance of
plain wholesome food prepared by
skilled cooks, and served with immac-
ulate cleanliness. After he has accu-
mulated months pay on the Pay
masters books, he can then draw
some money but his wants at first
are few.
The course of instruction lasts for
about four months, when, if he passes
satisfactory examination the ap-
prentice seaman is rated, that is,
he is given an advance of So month,
and the rate of ordinary seaman. If
his conduct has been exemplary he
will probably be given few days leave
before being sent TO sea.
When he reaches the ship he is as
signed to division and is given cer-
tain duties to perform. If he does
them faithfully and learns readily his
new duties, it will not be long until
he is again advanced to seaman, at
S24 a month. He is given more re-
SpOnSible duties, and as he learns
them he will soon be selected for
billet as 3rd class petty officer, paying
$50 a month. After that his further
huNduC6luGIu uCpCluo l0lSCly upOu Ills
own efforts and department for there
are vacancies constantly occurring in
every ship for petty officers, and his
SuperiorS are ever on the lookout for
man qualified to fill these important
ratings The higher positions pay S35
for petty officers End class: $40 for lst
class, and $50 to $50 for chief petty
officers, with $40 after year in the
grade.
1t is possible for an ambitious young
man to attain the billet of chief petty
officer, with pay of $40 month during
one enlistment; but even If he gets no
further than Boatswain' Mate lst
class, he is drawing $40 month, prac-
tically free Of living expenses.
Ii honorably discharged he can re-
main at home for four months, and
when he re-enters, will be given four
months pay, and starts his new enlist
ment with $685. more than he drew in
his previous term.
III he prefers civil life after one en-
listment he has the satisfaction of
having seen large portion of the
world, and has been well paid, and
found" He has, besides, acquired a
training which will stand him in good
stead in any occupation, for the man
who has been drilled in the discipline
of the Navy has learned habits Of reg
ularity and self-reliance which he
never fOrgetS.
4 II n ~ -. -