The San Francisco call., 1910-07-17
WHERE OUR COUNTRY TRAINS THE NATIONS SAILORS
ny ARTHUR II. DUTrON, Class of so
United states Naval Academy.

training of the student as to the mental
on the wise old principle OF "a sound
mind In sound body" which applies
anywhere to youths being fitted for
the struggle of life and particularly to
those who are being educated to serve
as officers of the United States navy.
From the day he enters the institution
until the day he graduates, four years
later, he is subjected to a course of
varied and rigorous physical exercise
and is made to live a life of regular
hours, with plenty of fresh air and
good diet.
1t will doubtless surprise many boys
to hear that dancing, swimming, box
ing, fencing, rowing and gymnastics
are items of compulsory education at
Annapolis, being just as much study
as mathematics, chemistry, electricity,
history and other subjects of study.
OF course there is a great variety of
military and nautical practical eXer-
cises. which are themselves beneficial
in the extreme.
No weaklngs are admitted to the
naval academy. Candidates for aj-
mission are put through a rigid physi-
cal examination by a board of medi-
cal officers before they appear for
mental examination as to their quali-
ficationS. These officers look the can
didate over closely and a single physi-
cal defect will cause rejection No
is not sound in body and with a robust
constitution, for naval life has many
hardShips much exposure, and other
calls for great endurance.
Many, If not most, of the youths who
go to Annapolis are mora or less awk-
ward when they first enter, some be-
ing ungraceful walkers, others Slouchy
in carriage, others, perhaps, a little
stoop shouljered. These shortcomings
are quickly remedied. one of the first
and best correctives being the setting
up" exercises. These are regular,
rhythmic movements of the arms, legs,
neck and body, which develop supple
ness and activity, necessitate deep
breathing, which is good for the lungs,
and result in an erect easy, military
carriage. These setting up exer-
cises are maintained at regular inter
walls for several months, sometimes ac-
companying or preceding certain of the
military drills, which begun very
quickly after entrance, and consist of
the manual of arms, school of the sol
der, of the company, of the battalion
and of the naval brigade. Constant
drills in these kept up throughout
the whole four years at the academy,
alternating with field artillery drills
and handling the guns of a modern
man of wars battery. from a small
machine gun to the huge II or 13 inch
turret guns of battleship. There is
great deal OF Target pTdctlce Will
pistol, rifle and great guns of every
calber.
In his first year at Annapolis the
midshipman must learn to swim and to
dance. Swimming lessons are given by
a competent instructor to such lads as
do not already know how to swim, who
are few however, for nearly every boy
is a natural swimmer. There is a
capable dancing master, who gives
regular lessons from the first steps up
to the latest style of waltz, polka. two
step lancers and quadrille. Even the
most clumsy youths develop into more
or less graceful dancers after year OF
such instruction. 1t being the idea OF
the authorities that an officer who is
to represent the United States at social
functions. which are often of an Of
fetal or diplomatic character, should be
able to hold his own at least with the
officers of any other nation in all the
social accomplishments, and not be a
lout Every Saturday night there is
a hop In the armory or the gymnasium.
where ladies are guests, and music is
rendered by the fine naval academy
band On the ewes of such holidays as
Thanksgiving New Years day and
Washington's birthday more elaborate
hop or ball is given, and on graduation
night. in June, the big armory is hand
someiy decorated and grand annual
ball given, which is attended by guests
from all over the country.
1t is another well known principle In
the navy that those who wear its uni
form should be able not only to defend
the country with ships and big guns
in battle, but to defend themselves
against personal attack Consequently
there is at Annapolis a course in boxing
and one in fencing.
The boxing is taught hrst by demon
stration and then by actual practice.
the members of the class being paired
off so as to oppose each man with an
other of about his own weight Reg
ular marks of proficiency in boxing
are kept and likewise in fencing.
The fencing covers instruction and
practice with foils broadswords and