Evening star., 1909-06-02
Naval Order Issued Forbidding
Midshipmen to Marry.
MUST SERVE TERMS FIRST
None to Wed Until Reaching the
Grade of Ensign.
FOR GOOD OF THE SERVICE"
Secretary Meyers Edict Based on the
Case of Midshipman Who
Failed for Promotion

No wedding bells for midshipmen, is
the cruel 60 edict issued by Secretary
Meyer, with the approval of President
Taft. The new order. which takes the
form of an amendment to the naval
regulation. Is as follows:
Midshipmen are prohibited from mar
ryng until the completion of the pre-
scribed six-year course"
That means that 1900 mdshipmen will
be denied the felcities of married life
until they have completed their full
course OF four years in the Nacal Acad-
emy and two more years of cruising and
other necessary drills. Up to the pres
ent time. according to the regu atons
of the Naval Academy. midshipmen at
the academy have not been allowed to
marry, and midshipmen, after leaving the
academy and taking their two-year
course at sea. We're not permitted to
marry, except by permission Of the Sec
retary of the Navy.
In announcing his decision that mid
shipmen shall not be permitted to marry
until they reach the next higher grade of
ensign, Secretary Meyer said he sup
posed that many lovelorn sailor would
heap maledictiOnS on his head
For the Good of the Service.
The order is issued for the good of
the service and for the welfare Of the
young men,, said the Secretary. The
young officers are educated for four
years at the expense Of the government
and they have no opportunity to earn a
competence. For the last named reason
they cannot support wives, and, besides.
they would be in continual service at sea
and away from their brides for at least
tWenty-three MONTHS
1t is explained that the order will not
prevent the marriage of three members
OF this years graduating class. who OBJ
tained the Secretary's permission before
he decided upon the amendment. Since
the date had been set, friends had been
invited and the prospective brides had
made all preparations, it was regarded as
UNJUST TO prevent their marriage. Last
year a number of the midshipmen were
married the day following their gradua-
ton. all having permission.
Secretary Meyer began to ponder over
the question, however, when half a dozen
or more midshipmen recently asked TO be
allowed to marry upon their academic
graduation. In the cases of all but three
1t was found that the prospective brides
did not possess sufficient means to guar
antee their own support. In no case is
the Secretary supposed to give his con-
sent unless the bride has means for her
own support.
Interferes With Studies.
The present order. however it is said
was based on the case of a midshipman
who recently came up for promotion to
ensign. He was one of the three mem
bers of the second section of the class of
1907 who failed to make his commission.
He was married shortly after leaving the
academy, and il was found that the cares
and responsibilities of married life had
caused him to neglect his studies and
naval duties.
Midshipmen are unable to be with their
wives at all, either while at the academy
or during the two years at sea. and en-
signs are expected to spend nearly all
their time at sea. 1t is claimed that the
pay of an officer is not sufficient to main
tain a wife until he reaches the grade of
junior lieutenant. or in many cases lieu
tenant. Considering these points it is as
serted that the prevention of all pros
pective officers from marrying until they
are ensigns at least may prevent unfortu-
nate occurrences which have developed
from young wives travelling alone to for
eign stations to join their husbands. or
being left alone for two or three years at
time.