Smyrna times., 1911-07-26
JOINING The ARMY
Opportunities That Are Open to
the Enlisted Man.
HIS PAY AND HIS PROSPECTS.
Even as a Private He Can Run His
Salary Up to $35 Month, and as
"Noncom" He Can Double That and
In Time Retire Rich and Pensioned.


"Noncom" He Can Double That and
In Time Retire Rich and Pensioned.
There are many opportunities open
to the man who enlists in the United
States army and wears the uniform
of Uncle Sam with honor to himself
and his country. The pay is good, the
food is good, and the chances for ad-
Vancement are numerous. 1t is up to
the individual man himself to make
good and TO take advantage Of the
situation.
Writing In the Columbian Magazine
on army affairs, Edward Marshall in
discussing the status of the enlisted
man says:
Summarized. this is what a man
who thinks of marching for his Uncle
Samuel as an enlisted man has to con-
slider:
On first enlistment the soldier for |
Old Glory nowadays gets SIS month,
far better pay, for instance, than the |
average clerks, for board. lodging and |
clothing are furnished by the govern |
ment. If he qualities as marksman
he adds 81 to his pay; if as a sharp
shooter he gets So in addition; If as
| an expert rifeman full third more.
Thus he may at once get $40 monthly
cash and found if he is able and keeps
busy.
| If he enlists as a musician he gets
$21 monthly to start off with, the
highest rockies" pay. In the signal
corps. the hospital corps and the en-
gineers' corps first class privates get
$1S monthly, and second class privates
get SIS.
Upon enlistment every man is allow
ed $S3.70 for his uniforms, ETC., and
afterward S13.54 twice annually. At
least one-half the men save money on
their clothing allowance. which is more
than ample. Privates' pay increases
So month for each three year en-
listment. An expert rifeman who
never gets to be petty officer, there
fore. can run his pay up, with good
conduct and intelligence. to $35
month and all his necessaries found"
in FIVE enlistments covering fifteen
years.
Noncommissioned officers are taken
from the ranks on recommendation of
their company or troop commanders
and are often given their posts upon
their first enlistmenIs. These men are
really well paid. A sergeant major is
allotted to each regiment he receives
$45 monthly when he is appointed and
$4 additional per month each time he
re-enlists Regimental cOmmissary ser
geants. regimental quartermaster's SER
geants and the three battalion ser
geants in each regiment get the same
high pay. Each company has a first
sergeant at S45. with an increase of
$4 upon re-enlistments; a second SER
geant at S36. with So increase for each
re-enlistment; corporal at $19. with
SO each for re-enlistments. The gov
ernment acts as banker for the SOL
diers. too If they desire to have it, and
noncommissioned officers have left the
service with as much as $4,000 saved
mot one. but many. If he sticks tight
to the service for full thirty years q
noncommissioned officer Is entitled tC
retirement on pay ranging from one
half to three-quarters Of his service
pay. Seventy dollars monthly is moi
unusual pay for a "noncOm" to retire
on. And every year Of service seer
outside the United States counts a,
two years at a home post A man
therefore. after fifteen years Of servic'
In the islands may retire on his hal
pay.
The food the "nOncoms' and the
other enlisted men are given is whole
some and well cooked. the medical at
tendance free and able. post and gar
rison schools have been provided a
all posts for the primary branches
and at several posts trade SCHOOL,
have been established. A worthy
man. no matter where he may be sta
toned. is almost certain to get trans
fer to a school post If he asks fo
1t. Cooking. baking. blacksmith!ng
veterinary surgery, electrical and sta
t1Onary engineering. all are taught a
these trade schools. as well as man,
other things. Thus a boy who ha
q had little chance to get an education
y may, after he has joined the army
b get very good one.
y There seems to be but one thin
S which army life does not offer to tn
y enlisted man. But that one thing 1
ID home.
u In its degree indeed the life of th
T enlisted man now offers more induce
- ments than the life of the West Poin
u er. The commissioned officers pay /
u small when his expenses and the et
S fort he must make to get commission
q ed are considered. and. furthermor,
y. the noncommissioned officer is not s
n subject to political influences as th
81 West Pointer. who gives him his con
~ mands.