New Britain herald., 1928-10-23
NAVY IS GIVING
 BIG OPPORTUNITY
Educational Advantages Stress.
 cd by Speaker at Lions Club

me educduonal phases Of the U.
 s. Navy and problems of the mer-
 chant marine were explained to the
 members of the Lions club today by Lieutenant Commander w. Earl
 Miller. U. s. N., officer in charge of
 the naval recruiting station in the
 Connecticut district, who is sts-
 tioned at New Haven. Commander
 Miller spoke at tho regular Tuesday luncheon today.
 Thomas Couch of New York, who sings with the Tempo quartet of Hartford. presented [ series of songs. He was accohpanied by Israel Rosenberg. pianist.
 In his address, Commander Miller said:
 Navy Day, October 27, is the seventh anniversary of that day: it is also the 153rd anniversary of the birth of the navy. It was on Octo- Der 27. 1775, that the first resolu- tion was introduced into tho Conti- mental Congress to build American warships. This bill was passed a few days later.
 October c7th, Is also the anni- versary of the late President Theo- dore Roosevelt who in all his acts and thoughts did so much to con- vince public opinion in this country that the navy was . necessity q an assurance of peace, and | necessity as the first line of defense. Roose- welt did much to develop . sound American naval policy, and the wis dom of his sound logic was amply demonstrated when we suddenly found ourselves involved in the great war.
 Tt is the navy's day at home. Visitors are welcomed at all navy yards and stations and on board all ships.
 As regards the education of en- listed men. the secretary of the navy is permitted to appoint 100 men | year to the naval academy. These young men are given a preparatory course at government expense to fit them to take the final entrance ex- aminations. This course is in the nature of 8 reward to those young enlisted men who are ambitious to get a higher education and to be- come commissioned officers. In ths class that entered the academy this last June e7 enlisted men who re- ceived their preparatory instruction at the governments expense were &C., cepted.
 Other Educational Features
 "1n other branches the navy op- crates schools for its personnel. such as radio, aviation, submarine, ma chinists, electrical, and many others too numerous to mention. There are 36 schools for enlisted men. The navy requires men trained in about l50 different, vacations, of which 55 are different trades. Men trained in these trades schools are & great as- set to industry in civil life, for their trades are the same in the navy as put of it.
 Nowadays it is almost impossible for our men to advance in rating or to be promoted without spending some of their time in study. A fair amount of education is necessary for To advance most men nave to study as we'll as become | more proficient at their jobs. Every petty officer becomes a potential eader of men, his most important | luty in the long run. Recognizing hese facts the navy offers to it's men courses in any line that he man may elect to take. Glasses ire held on the ships whose facili- ies permit, and officers are assigned ls instructors.
 Tt is my personal opinion that the l J. s. navy is the greatest education Il institution in the world in point | ,f numbers of men receiving in- 'truction, and in the variety of | curses that are taught. While l l nm not informed of the numbers of and the courses in any of he great educational institutions. nm of the opinion that a careful mparison would show the navy to oe the greatest educator in these