Evening star., 1925-02-01

Nearly every red-blooded American n
boy is at some time or another thrilled
with a laudable ambition to go to
the United States Naval Academy at
Annapolis, Md, or to the United
States Military Academy at West
Point, n. Y. In these two great in
stitutions Uncle Sam gives the picked
youth of the land a free education,
with pay, and the best OF physical
and moral training, so as to pro-
vide suitable officers for the national
defense.
Here's how boys get into these
great schools, and just a few words
about those institutions:
The United States Military Academy
is a school for the practical and
theoretical training of cadets for the
military service. The age of admis-
sion is II to % years for some eligi-
bles and 10 to % for others. Upon
satisfactorily completing its course
cadets are commissioned as second
leutenants at a salary of $1,000 and
allowances, and eligible to work their
way up in any branch of the Army
to the rank of major general, whose
present salary is $4,000 and allow
ances. The chief of staff of the Army
is charged with supervision OF mat
ters in the War Department pertain
ing to the Military Academy.
1924 Graduates.
West Point was tirst occupied as a
military school on January 20, l778
and has ever since been the seat OF
military training. The earliest pro-
posal for a military school to be es-
tablished by the United States Gov
ernment was made by Brig. Gen
Henry Knox, chief of Artillery, in
May. 1876. His plans were seconded
by Col. Alexander Hamilton and APP
proved by Gen. Washington. On
October l. 1916, Congress authorized
appointment of a committee to pre-
pare plans for such an academy. An
invalid corps was organized in July
l177, and, in 1881. at the request of
Washington, was marched from Phila-
delphfa to form part of the Earri-
son at West Point SO, you see, the
boys at West Point have old and hon.
orable traditions reaching back to the
very start OF this Government. There
have been 1924 graduates.
The maximum authorized strength
of the Corps of Cadets at West Point
IS 1884 These are appointed-four
from each State at large and two
from each congressional district
upon recommendation of the re-
spective Senators and Representa-
four from the Philippines and two
natives of Porto Rico; four from the
District Of Columbia. upon recon-
mendation of the District Commits
sioners Eighty-two are appointed
from the United States at large, two
of whom are appointed upon the
recommendation of the Vice Presi-
dent; 20 are from among the honor
graduates of those educational insti-
tutions which have officers of the
Regular Army detailed as professors
of military science and tactics, upon
recommendation of the heads of eacf
school. One hundred and eighty are
appointed from among the enliste ed
men of the Regular Army and Ma
tional Guard in number as nearly
equal as possible, and for those the
age limit is 1s to % years.
Have Competitive Exams.
Many members OF Congress now
have competitive examinations fol
the boys in their respective district.
who wish to go to either West Poin
or Annapolis.
Appointments from the United
States at large (excepting those from
honor military schools" and those
appointed on recomme ndation OF the
Vice PresidenD are made by the Pres,
.uCAI dpOli iiiS own oStcCttOHr ana d.
| result of a competitive examination
| identical In every respect with tht
regular entrance examination.
After he receives the appointment
each cadet must demonstrate that h,
measures up to the physical and edu.
cational standards. If accepted, ht
reports at West Point the first week
day in July, and prior to admission
Is required to take the oath of al,
| legiance and to subscribe TO an en-.
gagement to serve the United State.
for a time Subsequent to his gradua
ton.
Upon admission to the academy h,
enters upon a four-year course equiv
alent to collegiate grade. The aca.
demic year is from September 1 tc
June 4, the greater part of the re-
mainder Of the year being spent ir
camp and devoted to military train
ing. At the end of his second year al
the academy cadet Is granted a fur
Tough of about II weeks, and he l.
given a few days recess at Christina:
during his second, third and fourth