The Coconino sun., 1917-04-27
MORE COMMISSIONED
 OFFICERS NEEDED IN
 UNITED STATES NAVY

The need for additional officers in the United States Navy is being more keenly felt, with the commissioning of every new dreadnaught. One of the last acts of the Congress which ceased to exist on March 4, 1917, was to provide that 100 midshipmen at the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Mary land, were to be drawn from the en- listed personnel of the Navy. Every enlisted man under twenty years of age, with one years sea service, is eligible for one of these vacancies, and the examinations are entirely competitive, the highest 100 young men receiving the appointments.
 The average young man in the Navy, like the average young man in civilian life, has not had high school education, and this fact is inducing high school boys to enlist in the Navy, as it is practically certain that any young man with ground work of two years or more high school train ing, who really desires to enter Anna polls, can do so.
 Naval authorities consider midship- men with this preliminary training afloat of particular value, as their knowledge of Naval affairs give such young men better grasp of the pos abilities of their future career, than is held by the candidates appointed directly from civil life by Congress men. The men appointed from the enlisted personnel must be recom- mended by their Commanding Officer, and an Officer jealous of maintaining the best traditions of the Naval Serv- ice, will give preference to the ablest men under him. This places the high est honors of the Naval Service with in the grasp of any young man who has future fitness to win"
 The Regiment of midshipmen are always the personnel guard of the President at his inauguration. The Academy course being for four years, every midshipman participates in one inauguration, and generally, in later life as a Commissioned Officer, in many more.
 Midshipmen make three cruises during their Naval Academy career each cruise held during the three summer months. The itinery of these cruises is laid out-Germany, Eng land, Norway, Gigraltar, etc. In 1915 it was considered inadvisable to send the training squad in European waters on account of the war, and they were therefore sent to San Fran cisco, through the Panama Canal, to view the Panama Pacific Exposition The standards of living, of discip- line, of manhood, and of scholastic ability, are maintained at high level The pressing need of officers has not lowered these standards, as was re- gently shown when the usual percent age of the midshipmen were Obliged" (forced to resign) for defcinecy in studies. ..
 The young man who has an aptit- ude for the sea, who wishes to enter the Naval Service under the best con ditions, who has the ambition to reach the top, and is willing to do his utmost to realize such an ambition such type makes the successful Naval Officer. Such man has with in his grasp the chance to become the Commander-in-C Chief of one of the Worlds greatest fleets.
 America's future is linked with sea power. Our merchant marine must become a reality, not vague hope; Our Navy must be powerful enough to keep the seas open, and our coasts safe, at all times. The men at Anna polls today will be the moving figures in few years, in carrying out our national inspirations on the seas.