New Britain herald., 1929-03-02

were ready for your vocation, ready to overcome every obstacle and were certain of a successful career.
 There is a slight different be- tween becoming junior officer and going out into the world after grad uating from college. An officer has uniform. There may be very lit- tie gold on it. but nevertheless 1t IS an inspiration to the wearer Al any rate, he has a job. . A college man has to seek his.
 Making the grade Of a junior of- ficer is like any other step of d. vancement. An examination must be passed. His duties. of course. are on the bridge. He is now in di- rect contact with his superior of- ficers and captain. A promotion depends on the individual. He must have good education for foundation, he must have ability as . leader, and. the most impor- tant of all, he must have executive ability.
 This Is quickly determined by the other officers that work with him. The work of new junior off, ficer is closely supervised. He is permitted to give a few orders and must stand watch. After a short period of time, if he is capable. he remains in the position. but if not he falls by the wayside. This means returning to the ranks. Few men will accept a demotion be- cause of his pride. and ofttimes the young officer abandons the sea if he finds he is not qualified to go up the ladder.
 If he remains he continues his studies and is alert so that he reaches the pinnacle of his success that of being captain. Supreme command of ship is the hope of every seafaring man. It has often been said that if man taken from the ranks is given authority his true colors will come 10 the fore. Some men become abusive: others can issue orders in a pleasant man. ner and obtain the confidence and cooperation of every one with whom they come in contact.
 I recall several instances when junior officer would study dill gently and work hard on the decks for many hours 10 obtain that rank only to become unpopular with the men that were his former con- rades. One officer. I remember. be- ing assigned to the bridge for the first time. would stand beside the quartermaster for several minutes, then walk away some 10 or IS feet and call the quartermaster aside 10 issue some kind of an order. The
 man would carry out his .nstruc- tions. returning to his post and
 the officer would again join him
 and few minutes later would
 walk away and call him to his side to issue another order.
 This became very irksome to tho
 quartermaster. and word soor
 spread around in the forecastle
 that the officer was getting ''big.
 head" The other officers on tn.
 bridge were unaware of the situa.
 ton. In a short time dislike fol
 him became evident among ths
 crew. He realized his mistake
 but 1t was too late. Orders wert
 not being carried out. and finall,
 the man fell by the wayside. , Another instance was that of , Junior officer who would give in ttructions to a boatswain and hav'
 the latter convey them to the guar termaster. Repeatedly he woult call someone to give an order tt
 another man. When the men wer'
 not receiving their orders direc
 from the officer in charge. they dit rot feel particularly gracious abou , it. The man who had to carry th' order was disgruntled because h.
 was taken away from routine task
 and was compelled to act as a mes
 senger. This officer. like the other
 soon became unpopular and va ' transferred.
 , On the other hand. have seel junior officers who have been cour { teous and polite to their superior and others. By the crews the, . were regarded as good fellows. f By superior officers they were con sidered able. 70. together witl ? study they soon advanced.
 There are many young officer who have shown unusual qualifica tions. Harry Manning. chief office of the America. who was in charg