The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-09-24

i
the newspapers in many parts
of the United States have been
advertising tina: competitive
examinations are to be held thruout
the country for appointment to cadet
ships in the U. S. revenue cutter service.
From the time that the Hrst announce !
ment was made of the coming tests for
eligibles, the writer has thought that a
brief description from personal obser-
walton several years ago. might prove
of interest to the members of our small
community.
1t was while located at one of our
eastern army posts that the writer be-
came aroused to q full realization of
the advantages of this fed of endeavor.
The revenue service requires training
rivaling that provided at the naval
academy at Annapolis and opens up
career that in interest, variety and op-
portunities for travel and adventure is
on par with the navy itself.
The young men who will this month
endeavor to gain entrance to the cadet
school of this service have distinct
advantage over applicants for West
Point and Annapolis in that they are
not required to make long journey to
take the examination. The extensive
machinery of the civil service commits
sion which will conduct the examina-
tions will enable the average applicant
to make the test right at home or by q
short journey to the nearest large city.
These examinations are always thor
ough and comprehensive, not of undue
severity but strictly competitive, poiit-
ical and social influences being entirely
eliminated. And can say that in this
respect the revenue cutter school is
decidedly the most democratic school
under the government. The particular
desire of the officials of the revenue
cutter service is to secure as cadets a
number of young men who have had
thorough high school training, or
whose education has progressed to the
point where, in civil life, they would be
ready to enter some profession. Com.
petitors are rated without regard to
any consideration other than the quail
ticatiOns shown in their examination
papers.
/ have known of cases, where Other
things being equal, preference was
given to artillery soldiers who had re-
ceived good technical education al
some school of instruction in the army
or to some graduate of civil technica
schools, but these were very rare
When the civil service commission
forwards the report of their findings
with regard to the young men WIN
were up for examination, to the revenu
cutter officials, the successful appli
cants must pass very rigid physica
examination, and those who pass thr'
this ordeal satisfactorily will enter tn
service by taking the oath of Office. 1
short interval is granted each cadet ii
which to procure an outfit of uniforms
and then he is instructed to report a
Arundel Cove, $50. Baito.) Nd, sbor
distance from Baltimore. As there ar
seldom more than two dozen cadets i
the school at any one time, the ne'
arrival need have no fear of an initis
tlon of hazing as at West Point or Al
napolis, for the number is rather to
small to encourage the practice of an
such tricks.
The academic year begins in Octobe
and ends in May. During this tim
the cadets live on board the trainin
ship, tied up at the wharf, but pursu
their studies in recitation halls @
shore. There is also a drill hall !
which all sorts of military evolution
are psacticed, together with athlet
sports of various kinds. While I
Arundel Cove the cadet elaborates Q
the subjects embraced in the compel
tive examination by means of whit
he became cadet and also takes U
such subjects as seamanship, navig
tion, ordnance and gunnery, law, eng
neering, etc.
The method of instruction and tt
administration or discipline are simil
to those practiced at Uncle Sans 9th
great national academy At West Poir