Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-04-20
sxoUNo MEN
IN THE 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 competi-
tive. the highest 100 young men re-
ceiying the appointments.
The average young man in the navy,
like the average young man in civilian
life. has not had high school educa-
ton, and this fact is inducing high
school boys to enlist in the navy, as
1t is practically certain that any young
man with ground work of two years
or more high school training, who
really desires to enter Annapolis, can
do so.
Naval authorities consider midship-
men with this preliminary training
afioat OF particular value. as their
knowledge of naval affairs give such
young men much better grasp of the
possibilities OF their future career
than is held by the candidates ap-
pointed directly from civil life by con-
gressmen. The men appointed from
the enlisted personnel must be recon-
mended by their commanding officer.
and an officer jealous of maintaining
the best traditions of the naval ser
vice. will give preference to the ablest
men under him. This places the high
est honors of the naval service within
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
Z 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 itinerary of these
. cruises is laid out-Germany. Norway,
England. Gibraltar. etc. In 1915, ii
was considered inadVisable to send
the training squad in European waters
gson account of the war, and they were
therefore sent to San Francisco,
through the Panama canal. to view
the Panama-Pacific exposition.
The standards of living, of discip-
line. of manhood. and Of scholastic
I ability, are maintained at high
level. The pressing need OF officers
has not lowered these standards, as
was recently shown when the usual
percentage Of the midshipmen were
obliged" forced to resign) for def.
cheney in studies.
: The young man who has an aptitude
for8the sea, who wishes to enter the
naval service under the best condi.
: tons. who has the ambition-such a
type makes the successful naval of.
ncer. Such man has within his
grasp the chance to become the com.
mander-in-chief OF one Of the worlds
Z greatest fleets.
Americas future is linked with sea
power. Our merchant marine must
become reality. not a vague hope
Our navy must be powerful enough
to keep the seas open. and our coasts
safe, Mt all times. The men at Annapo
lis today will be the moving figures
I'm a few years. in carrying out our
national inspirations on the seas.
go