The Dolores star., 1924-08-08

sign Wesley Mel. HaCue-the latter an ex-enllsted
man who had just been graduated from the acad
emy as an honor man-inaugu0tcd a campaign
to get enlisted men ''of officer calibcr" The in
coming class has 20 enlisted men in it,
An object lesson of what can be done in this
wa! Is the experience of George Nelson Robillard
He enlisted in the navy in 1919. He was sent to
ue 'HIahoma Hs an apprentice seaman aud went
through the regular routine for enlisted men. In
huditIoh he attended the Oklahoma's Annapolis
cIhSS, which was organized aboard for the pur-
pose OF coaching enlisted candidates. He then
went I" Newport Il. l., and Joined the 'N. A. T.
Z. This Naval academy preparatory class con
tnined tile pick of the navy's enlisted men sent
from all ships and stations to compete for An
hapoiis appointments. Finally Robillard was
transferred to Annapolis, discharged from the
navy and sworn in as II midshipman He was
graduated this year and has been assigned to the
New York navy yard.
young fellow has to be n good deal Of n chm
to get into Annapolis. He must be between the
ages of sixteen and twenty, unmarried lie must
pe OF good moral character, physically sound, well
formed and Of robust constitution. The prelim-
mary physical and mental examinations are rigid
But they are easy compared with the constant
tests of the course. From 40 to 30 per cent Is
dropped before graduation because of Inability to
keep up with the game
Did you ever stop to think of the responsibilities
OF the commander of United States wurship in
foreign waters even in times of peace? Well 1t
Is something tremendous. Aside from being re-
sponslbe for the safety of the ship and the small
army ABOARD he represents the United States-he
Is the United States to all intents and PURPOSES
So he must be fighting man, navigator discipline
rian, diplomat and putriot-al kinds of man. each
one just about 100 per cent efficient So Uncle
Sam cannot afford to waste time at his Naval
academy on material that weakens under test
The course at the Naval academy specializes
on requirements of the naval service Instruction
Includes the following: discipline seamunship
marine engineering and naval construction eIec
trical engineering physics. chemistry, mathemat-
les astronomy, history, tnctics naval hygiene oud
physiology, modern languages drawing and pbvs
cal training. There are 80 instructors practicnIv
all of them naval officers The midshipmap binds
himself for eight years, including the four In tho
academy He must furnish his own clothing and
books and receives 800 year from Uncle Sam
Inc Naval academy was founded In 1915 by
George Bancroft secretary of the navy in Polk's
administration. In those DAYS il was colled tho
"Naval school, and the BOYS were .noyoI c,da,s -
Along about 1893 Uncle Sam complained 10 com
gress that the buildings were old and inndeouoto
Congress told Uncle Sam to 90 ahead and n, tho
place up right. Uncle Sam did-to the extent of
about Sl2,OOOOO0. And along about 1908 UncIa
Sam completed by far the finest and best-eouinno5
naval school In the world. There are POO ncres
on the Severn river at Annapolis The buildings
include Bancroft hall, with Memorial hall at ito
center. Dahlgren hall, the Armory, the SeamanshIn
~ lnp
building and the Chapel. with dome 21O feef
high.
In short. the United States Naval academv 10
tirst-cass Institution. This Is emphasIzed hv
the fact that the present superintendent is no loss
mnn than Admiral Henry B. Wilson He is him.
self graduate of the academy class of 1881 ond
thus has worked his way up through all the pr,dos
from mldshipman to commander In chief OF tho
Atlantic fleet.
The graduating class this year numbered 5o5
They have been assigned by the Navy department
to ships and to shore stations
Not all OF the graduates will remain in thu
service About GO have avaed themselves NJ tho
privilege of resigning. In accordance with nm ~
der of the Navy department. Twenty-Five b,vo
accepted commissions in the Marine corns ,
seven have Joined the supply corps of the novv
commencement week nt Annapolis ia n nr..
performance and attracts many visitors Th,.
year there was a mimic game, In addition 80
the dress parade. The climax is tho "foo,',
ball. In Dahlgren hall. This year Mrs Wilson
headed the receiving line and more than ooo ~.
tended the ball. Secretary Wilbur presented a.. a..
diplomas and made the commencement address