El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-04-14
BY
Rene Bache

Nhen a young man en1SIS IN the
navy. he is furnished by the govern
ment with money to pay his passage
to the training station, or to the re-
ceiving-ship to which he is assigned
If there is night ride, a berth in a
sleeping car or on board a steamer
is provided for him While on the
way, his meals are AT government cost,
and likewise his carfare across city
and any other incidental expenses.
The pay of an apprentice seamen is
$3.50 a month But this is only to
begin. As full-fledged seaman he
gets $3.50. IF he has ambition, he
will soon rise to the position of petty
officer, at S33 to begin with and later
on 81. From this status he can lift
himself TO the grade of warrant Off
GER which is a life job. if he cares to
hold it
A warrant officer gets from $500
to $4,000 year. according to length OF
service. At 81 years of age Cor at
any time earlier II disabled in line Of
duty he is retired on a pension OF
three-quarters pay, just like a commits
stoned officer.
Indeed. after six years service in
this grade, warrant officers receive
commissions signed by the president
of the United States. and rank as naval
ensigns- The jobs they hold are those
of boatswains, gunners. carpenters.
machinists. pharmacists, and paw
clerks
After six years. service from date Of
commission they receive the paw and
allowance Of a junior lieutenant in the
navy: and six years later Cf the ser
vice is continued they get the paw and
allowances of a full lieutenant
Pay clerks are allowed to compete
Through examination for appoint
ment as assistant paymasters in the
navy. Thus they NAV become full
fledged commissioned officers in a staff
corps
For men killed in battle. or who die
Of diseases. a sum equal to six months
Of their paw will be Immediately given
TO their heirs or dependent relatives.
Incidentally the government will meet
the cost of their burial If they have
lost their lives while acting as naval
aviators. or in consequence OF such
duty. their families viii get one years
When an enlisted man is disabled a
a result Of an aviation accident. while
employed in actual flying or in hand
ling aircraft, he is entitled 70 ?. pension
double that granted to other men in
the naval service.
Half Pay After 20 Years.
After 20 years of service any en-
listed man who is disabled is entitled
% retirement on half pay for life. |
served 30 years. he may be placed on /
the retired list at three fourths of his /
full pay. with additional allowances |
famounting TO s15-75 MONTH for J
-ations. etc.
So much for the possible future But
I is the present opportunity that the
7ouBg man contemplating enlistment
the navy is thinking OF.
On acceptance as a recruit he is en-
titled to a full rigout Of uniforms for
1mmer and winter. free Of cost. in
,luding overcoat. sweater. underwear,
leavy and light, gloves. bathing trunks
blankets a jackknife. handkerchiefs
oothbrUsh, hairbrush. scrub brush. !
hoe brush. shoe polish. mattress. neck
rchief and high and low shoes
He does not get these things. how
yer all At once. but as the season re-
luireS Thus, if he enlists in midsum-
ner, he IS provided with white uni
orms and one set Of blues" but with
10 overcoat or sweater. Under no cir
umStances is he allowed to retain in
is possession any cts clothes: he
aust sell them or give them away
On beard ship he carries no weapon
he days Of boarding" and close
uarters fighting in naval engage
lents are past forever. Consequently.
he sailor man is unarmed. save when
e goes ashore with landing party, /
2 which case ne shoulders a rifle The
lue jacket or marine IS eQuipped with I
utlass and revolver only when he acts. I
n shore. as commander OF a platoon
On shore, acting as an infantryman,
9 carries with him a pair of socks,
0bacco, black and white thread tooth
owder, a tooth brush. soap. a comb.
eedles, canteen and cup. a knife and !
1rk, a spoon. a meat can (the cover
I which serves as a plate). and an .
xtra suit Of clothes wrapped in a 4
lanket- He may OF may not carry
af tent, an intrenching tool, or an
nergency ration of bacon and hard
read. {
Equal 10 a Regiment.
The fighting force of a warship is
ways convertible into infantry, for Z
sTvice on land On every ship there {
a full company of marines-soldiers I
the sea-which for land duty. is sup I {
emented by the blue jackets Thus {
modern dreadnaught can furnish az ]
pinch a full regiment of 1000 men I
nd officers. with field guns and all I
le incidentels required for warfare :
] terra firma. :
Thus it would seem that the young ?
an who enlists today IN the navy of
lie United States has most varied pos
bilities OF entertainment and for the / 9
svelOpment OF his talents, while en- =
wing the prospect of unlimited oppOr- :
mites for the exercise of patriotism I :
Id of usefulness IN his country's be- q
If I