The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1912-10-03
our navy IS
| SHORT OF Men /
Must Add $500 Before Close
I " Of Fiscal. year.
BUSY OBTAINING RECRUITS
Circulars Place Advantages Of Services
Before Young Men-Chance Given
For Education -. Training Schools
Open In Many Lines.

6efore Young Men-Chance Given
For Education-T Training Schools
Open In Many Lines.
With maximum complement Of ap-
proximately $1,000 men, it is no long
er an easy matter to keep the navy
recruited up to it's full strength at all
| times. Congress at it's last session au-
thorized all increase of 1000 to the en-
listed force. which increase the navy
| department is expected to obtain by
the end of the current fiscal year.
| There is at present shortage of about
| 500 men, including the increase re-
Gently allowed.
But that does not by any means rep
resent the entire needs of the recruit
ing service. The term of enlistment is
four years, and if every man served
out his full term there would be more
than $4,000 men going out each year.
| Not all remain their entire four years,
many being discharged for various
causes, some promoted and others de-
| sert. 1t thus happens that in order to
! fill the complement by the end of next
June there must be enlisted and re-en-
listed in the meantime approximately
10000 men.
The requirements for enlistment are
very rigid, and the standards fixed for
the naval service, which have been
steadily raised in recent years. are
! strictly adhered to. An average of less
/ fhoY ~
ply for enlistment at the recruiting sta
lions are accepted. It will therefore
be necessary during this fiscal year to
interest about 100000 able bodied
young Americans in the naval service.
It has been found that among many
reasons which men give for joining
the navy the desire to see the world
| and travel is always uppermost. That
is but natural when it is remembered
that most of the applicants are under
twenty-one years old. However, more
serious motives prevail and only to d
| slightly less extent A great many
| give as reason the opportunities to
| learn a trade and chance to better
themselves by the wholesome living
In the service, the discipline and reg
ular habits required. The desire for
steady employment influences many.
Advantages Offered.
There Is no doubt that the navy Of
fers young man many superior adj
vantages, particularly If he has not
the good fortune to be able to acquire
a mechanical or professional educa-
ton. The navy supplies that opportu-
nifty. If youngster has any mechan-
1cal ability the naval service will bring
1t out and develop it. Training schools
are open to him for instruction in the
trades of machinist, electrician (both
general and wireless), and in the va
rious artifcer trades, such as carpen-
ter, shipwright. shipftter. copper
smith, blacksmith, boilermaker. plumb:
er and the like. If he has knack for
clerical work he may be sent to the
yeoman school, which fits him for the
clerical duties required both af1oat and
ashore. On the other hand, if he has
no special aptitude for a trade he is
where he is taught the knowledge of
seamanship and fitted for advancement
In the various ratings comprising the
seaman branch of the navy
After serving one enlistment credit
ably he may enter either of the sea-
men gunner schools, one Of which is
located here in Washington and the
other at the torpedo station. Newport.
Il. 1. At these schools he acquires a
great deal of technical knowledge, not
only in ordnance work, but in other
subjects which will be of value to him
when he returns to sea.
1t is the policy of the navy to adj
vance its men strictly upon merit, and
1t is declared that any man who serves
one full cruise without advancement
lacks the qualifications which would
be necessary to success in any other
line of employment. It is even possible
Tor a man to attain the rating Of chief
petty officer during one enlistment.
position paying ST month. with Iiv-
Ing expenses thrown in. It is admitted,
however. that it is not an easy matter
to advance thus rapidly. for such ad-
vancement requires exceptional ability
and attention to duty. ... -,
Increased Pay tn Prospect.
Each re-enlistment brings with it in
creased pay. and after seven years en-
listed service an ambitious man may
be examined for the warrant grade,
life position, which pays as high as
$500 a year, with benefits of retire
ment on three-fourths pay after sixty
two years ut age. Nor is an ambitious
man necessarily limited to advance
ment to- the warrant grade The law
permits a warrant officer under thirty
five years OF age. with four years serv-
ice as Il boatswain. gunner or machin-
list. to compete in the annual examina-
ton for appointment as ensign.
At the examination held in Washing
ton July last. two former enlisted men.
Chief Machinist L. r. Ford and Ma
chiniSt l.. ~ Linsley. passed Satisfar-