Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-18
Army and Navy News

honorably, not less than one year. in
the armed forces of the United States
or in the army Of any of the allies in
the late war with Germany, and who
possesses the other legal qualifica-
lions, may be admitted between the
ages of seventeen and twenty-four
years.
The War Department has announced
that 1t desires at least one West Point
preparatory course established in
plicants in their studies In addition,
burroughs Of three months may Be
granted successful competitors in the
December examinations to enable
them to prepare for the regular en-
trance examination in March.
In the, past all enlisted candidates
who have submitted satisfactory Ger
tfncates have been admitted to the
acedamy. due to the fact the vacan-
cies were not all filled by the regular
examination. and it is expected that
the same condition will exist this
year.
Rank fer Army Nurses.
Preparations are being made at the
war Department to put into. effect
as soon as possible that section of
provides that the principal. officials
OF the Army Nurse Corps shall have
relative rank" That is a decided
innovation in military history, as
1t will mark the first time that wom-
en- nave held rank" in the generally
accepted meaning OF the term, in the
| United States Army.
| II Is specifically provided in the
law that the superintendent Of the
| army Nurse Corps, the incumbent
peinE MISS Julia Stimson. in the
omce OF the surgeon general Of the
Army. shall have the relative rank
OF major; the assistant superintend-
ents. director and assistant directors,
the relative rank of captain; chief
nurses, the relative rank of first lieu
tenant; and head nurses and nurses.
the relative rank of second lieuten-
ant 1t is further provided that las
regards medical and sanitary mat
ters and all other work within the
line OF their professional duties (the
members Of the Army Nurse Corps)
snail nave authority in and about
military hospitals next after the Of
hcers of the medical department"
Ohoer the act the Secretary Of
war is required to make the .neces-
s sirg,s regulations sgI lions; prescribing the
the members of the Nurse Corps "by
! such relative rank" Those reRu-
lations are now being prepared at the
War Department and the work being
/ cutaTciy ne" III d military sense re-
duires unusually careful Consider
alton The chief difficulty lies in the
determination OF the legal meaning
of relative rank" as used in the
| act.
In the opinion of some military au-
thOrities. person holding relative
rank" has only limited powers and
responsibilities and does not possess
the full privileges of an officer OF
regular rank. Several elements OF
absolute rank are lacking. It is de-
clared that those holding relative
rank" have the title and some of the
powers of a regular officer of the
! same rank, but are not commissioned
cannot exercise the power of actual
| command and do not receive the pay
and allowances of regular off1cers
! having absolute rank of a similar
grade.
Although not settled, it is probable
that the Army nurses will continue
to wear the uniform they honored In
the world war, and will wear the
usual regulation insignias on thei,
uniforms to indicate their rank. AL
questions in doubt are to be deter.
mined by Secretary BakeL