Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-09-18
MARINE CORPS RECRUITS
YOUNG MEN FOR NAVY
Must Be In Good Health and
Right Frame Of Mind
Before Accepted

L ne u1IltItHct DeIWttu u marine ana
a soldier, seems to be that while sol
der fights only on land, a marine has
the training of soldier and fights on
both land and water. In other words,
the marine is the landing force of the
navy and may serve either on cruisers
and battle ships, or on land duty as
sort of police force.
Sergeant w. B. Schuman, of the
Western Recruiting division of the
United States Marine Corps, has estab.
hshed a recruiting station for the
navy, with rooms in the postoffice
building. This will perhaps become a
permanent recruiting station for the
marine corps, and any young man who
has ambitions to spend four years, not
on the big ships firing the big guns,
but in the marine corps, would do well
to call on Sergeant Schuman. After a
young man is once accepted, he may
have the opportunity of becoming a
gunner, and again, if his ability does
not run in that line, he may never
touch big gun, and never serve on a
cruiser or battle snip.
For recruit, the age limits are 10
to 80 years, and if not of age, the ap-
plcant must have the consent of his
parents.
The height of the prospective marine
may be anywhere between five feet and
six inches, to six feet and one inch, and
weighing anywhere between 100 and
2lO.
The pay as a starter is $15 month,
everything furnished and paid except
luxuries and the laundry bill. If he be-
comes good marksman, the pay is
raised to $l7 a month, and $1S for a
sharp shooter An expert rifleman is
good for 500 month, and no chance
to spend money except on Injuries and
laundry. From a private, the next pro-
motion is to corporal at $2l month,
and next to sergeant at $50 a month,
everything found.
The young man applying at the re-
cruiting station will have the following
experiences. Upon first applying to
Sergeant Schuman at his office in the
postoffice building, he must first salts
fly the recruiting officer that he is with
in the age limit, is born or naturalized
citizen, and that he comes within the
height and weight requirements. There
is no literary test, but he must satisfy
the sergeant that he can read and write
intelligently and has fair understand.
ing of arithmetic Thus far it is easy
sailing.
Next comes the physical test, and
particular attention is given to the eyei
and feet. If the sergeant is satisfied
so far with the applicant, he is passed
on to DR.. B. L. Sleeves for medical ex
animation.
If everything is all right so far, the
prospective recruit is sent to the Port
land office for re-examination by the
officer in charge Of the Portland dis
trict, and also re-examined by the reg
ular marine corps doctor. From thu
time he leaves Salem, all expenses arr
paid. In fact, the young man is put tC
no expense whatever at any stage o.
his efforts to become a marine.
If everything is 0. X. at the Port
land office, the recruit is sent to th'
marine barracks at Mare Island, abou
80 miles from San Francisco to the re
cruiting rendezvous, where he is placed
under observation for a week or tel
days. Right here is perhaps the mos
severe test, as a marine corps does no
want any young man unless his habit
are right and he has the proper outlool
into life.
If accepted, he is put on the govern
ment pay roll, given his two uniforms
that of undress blue, and the Khaki, anc
all his underclothing and other wearing
apparel, including shoes. If not ac
cepted at this stage, he is sent hom'
at the governments expense and hi
efforts to join the navy hasn t cost hin
cent.
The recruit has now become a rea
marine and begins his instructions il
foot movements, drilling, athletics, box
ing, setting up drill, Swedish exercise
all of which will require five hour
each day. He will be in a company o
from 300 to 500 recruits doing the SAM
thing, as the government has but on
recruiting station west of the Mississip
pi river. After IA weeks of this work
he becomes a full fledged marine AM
is assigned to company.
Right here, he has the privilege o
selecting to n certain extent the sta
] ton in which he will serve. If h
wishes foreign service, he may be sen