Evening star., 1940-10-27

practice Afforded oppOrtune health
full competition in the field of amuse-
ment.
Talent evidenced itself at the first
signal call of recreation or smoker
hour. Musicians in number and
ability for a fine orchestra, voices
representing many quartets and glee
clubs made up happy chorus never
to be forgotten, while boxing and
dramatic ingenuity shared two en-
tertalnmentS that might have re-
ceived Broadway competition With
music and words composed by STU
dents, The Wyoming March" was
presented to the commanding Of
flcer, Capt. D. T. Patterson. at a
public ceremony. BY the light of a
tropical moon, movies on the quar-
terdeck nightly were followed by
taps, then weary but happy and
contented seamen turned in with a
starry dome as their shelter.
Religion and Seamanship.
Religion was not discarded when
the Naval Reserve young men DON
ned regulation garb; on the con-
trary, it expressed itself in individual
requests from more than half of the
crew who desired Divine service.
With the regular ships chaplain and
an additional one added, the cruise
was kept occupied every waking
hour with lectures, personal con-
ferenceS, library and general well
fare details.
Aboard the U. S. S. Illinois. 300
members of this group are now en-
rolled In the Midshipmen's School.
Many returned to their respective
homes to enter school at North
western University, converting in
september, while others were per-
mitted to complete their collegiate
WORK before continuing the mid
shlpmen'S course to its end.
On the U. S. S. Illinois, the mid
shlpmen advanced to the blue
uniform of mildly" and are now
absorbed in an intensive class cur-
rlcultm covering the rudiments of
sea life as far as it is possible to
cram knowledge into alert minds
IN the slim period of three months
At the close of this period, all
those who are fully equipped for
leadership and have successfullv
completed this exacting study and
practical training, will be COM
missioned ensigns in the United
States Naval Reserve.
Model Service.
These officers present a model of
determination and will power: a
worthy example for officer achieve
ment for any day or age. Every
difficult problem is personally as
sumed with whole-hearted interest:
1t is such perseverance which will
eventually benefit both country and
citizenship alike. Uncle Sans
Navy takes only the best, and in this
first school it is believed the mid
shipmen have what 1t needs to
maintain its superiority in sea per-
sonnet
The Midshipmen's School is for
tunate in having a teaching staff of
creditable officers of achieved ac-
complishment, each one a specialist
in his field of instruction. Under
the guidance Of one of the Navy's
most able commanding officers.
Can't. j. j. London, and his execu-
tive staff. this first Midshipmen's
School will rank among the United
States Navys most worthy contri-
buttons to the high morale of its
expanding personnel
The Naval Reserve of the United
States was established by Act of
Congress. approved March 8, 1915.
1t is organized under the Bureau
of Navigation of the Navy Depart
ment and is covered by the Navy
regulations and instructions.
There will always be plenty Of
excitement for any young, red
blooded Americans who want the
chance to help keep our country
safe for democracy.