The Meeker herald., 1917-06-16
Boys and The Navy

AS many OF our mothers would like
to know what their boys have to do
when they join the navy, we are pub
fishing the letter from Reporter
Lyon, of the Colorado Springs Tele-
graph, who is taking his turn with
the other boys. 1t is interesting
enough for anyone to read and is as
follows:
never knew 1t was possible to do
so many different things in any one
day until l got into the United States
navy.
A recruits hours are from in the
morning until at night.
From 8 at night until . In the
morning he has nothing to do but
sleep.
In his 16 waking hours he gets up,
makes up his hammock and laslies
1t, sweeps out his bungalow, helps
clean up the camp, takes a scrub at
himself, eats breakfast, does some
guard duty, drills until school time,
goes to school for two hours, washes
himself again, eats dinner, goes out
for boat drill, takes setting-up ex-
ecises, gymnasium work or swim
ming lessons, does some extra drill
ing If he's violated any of the camp
regulations, washes his own clothing.
goes to supper, lines up for roll call
ut 8. 40 and is In his hammock by o.
4. ha nf
young fellows who are now crOwding
the naval stations have appetites like
goats.
A naval recruit Is hungry all the
time. He can't be filed up. because
the constant training and hardening
process he is undergoing in prepara-
ton for sea duty causes his body to
consume fuel faster than he can sup
pip it.
Chaplain Frazier at the Norfolk
training station asked a class II they
found the navy to be rs they had
pictured it before they enlisted.
II never knew a sailor drilled with
an army rifle and learned to operate
land artillery" said one. II thought
sailor only climbed rope ladders
and helped fire the big guns on bat
tleships."
II never thought I'd have to do
my own washing" said another.
In the navy. a boy is put through
much the same course of training he
would receive in the army, and then
he is taught all about the operation
of boats and bsttleships and torpedo
boat destroyers.
"You can see why you should be
good at drill, and experts with rifles
and small arms" said Frank r.
Lytle, our instructor, soon after he
took charge of us.
"A battleship can't carry regi-
ment of soldiers along to hold towns
or forts that might be captured. You
bluejackets must be able to fight as
we'll on land rs on sea-"
The recruit must report for drill
each morning in a spotless white
uniform.
Each morning, when the different
companies of recruits are lined up for
inspection Lieutenent George n.
Reeves, as chief drill officer, passes
rapidly down the lines. His critical
eye never was known to miss coffee
stain
A chief petty officer always accom-
panies him and every boy at whom
Reeves points his finger is in for a
few hours extra drilr' for wearing
soiled clothing.
"Setting-up" exercises on the drill
grounds, and gymnasium work are
calculated to develop muscles long
unused.
After a fellow has bent and twisted
and lunged, climbed ropes and jump
ed leather horses for couple of
hours each day for weeks, he begins
to feel he is ready to lick somebody.
In the navy they harden the recruit
to withstand both cold and hot
weather. After q while nobody minds
little thing like a soaking rain.