The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-10-05

OF clothing for winter and summer,
consisting of uniform. shoes, under
wear, cap. sweater. overcoat, and rub
Der boots--tn all amounting to $50 n
value. These clothes the government
gives him outright, as capital with
which to start his new life. Having
received his outfit he is ready for in
struction. This instruction lasts about
three months. During this time he is
taught to keep himself and clothes
neat and clean; to handle and shoot a
rife and revolver; to row and sail a
boat; to signal with flags and sema-
phore; to heave the lead. box the
compass and all the rudiments of Il
seaman education. Besides If he is d.
fictent in ordinary education he Is re-
CURED to improve himself by going to
school short time each day. During
all this time he is paid $1T.6o month,
and has his meals, lodgings, medical
and dental attendance free.
After the drills and study hours.
the time of the apprentice seaman is
his own. He can devote 1t to reading
study, letter writing. baseball or foo
ball Gin the proper seasons). or what
ever he wills. There is very COM
plete library filed with fiction and
text books of every sort. If the ap-
prentice seaman is ambitious there is
nothing to prevent his training BODY
and mind
Advancement.
At the end of the training period, the
recruit is usually given a ten day fur-
Tough to visit his home, and advanc-
ed in rating, either to ordinary sea-
man ($2O.90 month";, or to coal pass
er Cat s24.20). or to hospital apprent-
ice lat 1922. He is now full fledged
man-o' -warsman, and If he is rated
ordinary seaman, he can expect trans
fer to seagoing vessel Those who
select the rate Of coal passer are
first instructed in their duties ashore,
and after reasonable period are de-
tailed to man-o'-war.
Special Trade Branches.
Men enlisting in trade are usual
with the exception OF electricians,
mon (clerks), artiticers, cooks and
for a course of instruction before be.
Ing a5Sl6ACu " lOSuidl SCl DOL w.
Further Advancement.
AS soon as the recruit takes the
oath at recruiting station his pay
commences.
The work in the navy is divided in
to number of different branches,
1. e., the seaman, electrical, machin-
lists, clerical, musicians. hospital
corps. commissary and artificers'
In each Of these branches there are
grades of petty officer and chief petty
officer to which men are advanced, "
they make good. after a reasonable
time. Many men reach the grade Of
chief petty officer before their first
enlistment Of four years expires, AMI
secure a permanent appointment In
that grade which carries with 1t tho
pay Of SIT per month. The perman-
ent appointment is issued by the
navy department and is irrevocable ex.
cept by court martial.
After seven years service man is
eligible to take the examination for
warrant officer with pay ranging fro-l
$500 to $1,000 per annum.
Specially qualified warrant officers
with excellent records can, II they
pass the necessary examinations, b.
promoted to regular commissioned
officer and then be in line to continue
their advancement to the highest
grades in the navy.
By a recent act Of congress the
naval academy Is now open to fifteen
young bluejackets each year. The
candidates must be under 20 years of
age at time Of appointment, and must
have been IN the naval service az
least a year. The examination Is
competitive, and is open under the
law to all young men who are quail.
fed. The men so appointed each
year will be sent to the naval acad;
envy. and upon graduation from THAI
institution they Will be commissioned
ensigns, which is the lowest rank OF
a regular naval of1cer.