Evening star., 1940-10-27

anu UlSClplllle, DuG Gllc SIcdIcSG VI
these is discipline. 1t is well-known
fact that if man cannot discipline
himself, he cannot expect to give
orders to command others, as dis
cipline is the first law of order.
Being drilled over and over again
10 duty, law and order, it becomes
as automatic as natural breathing
The first requisite aboard any
ship is order, which is specially in
sisted upon literally from the ground
up. Although the United States is
at peace today. there will always
be duties for the Naval Reserves,
who are soldiers in peace, as well
as in war.
Purpose of School.
AS described by Chaplain w. J..
de Forest, on behalf of the institu-
ton, the Midshipmen's School was
inaugurated to prepare preferably
selected men from our higher
schools OF learning, for Junior Of
fcers in the United States Naval
Reserve, with the greatest possible
dispatch consistent with the best
traditions of the Navy in times of
emergency.
In choosing young men from COL
leges and universities throughout
the United States, outstanding per-
sonalities and academic superiority
we're considered. Despite the mani
fold details involved in such an i'm
portant undertaking, more than 900
men, representing the best in Amer
ican youth, reported aboard the
U. S. S. Wyoming, in New York
harbor.
In short order, we'll turned
campus tailoring gave way to Serv-
ice whites, billets were assigned, the
requisite gear issued, and bearings
taken. Almost in the twinkling of
an eye the transformation from stu
dent to seaman was accomplished.
On a natural hot July day, the
U. S. S. Wyoming hoisted its anchor.
in peace, and silently slipped out of
the North River into the wide-open
sea. The first cruise of the new
and hastily organized U. S. N. R.
Midshipmen's School had been born.
For the next Is days, the boys
were to learn the science of sea-
faring life by practical experience,
which began with swabbing down
decks and polishing metal. Even
though the readjustment was radi-
cal, beyond description for these
young recruits, they turned to it
with vengeance and the immediate
result was a matter of mingled ad-
miration and envy to seasoned Of
ficers and crew.
Practical Training.
In addition to customary standing
of watches and laborious duties,
which prevailed without a letup,
from early morning until evening
mess, these prospective officers ran
the gantlet of classes and practical
training in seamanship, navigation
and ordnance. Fire drills, abandon
ship, man overheard and gun prac-
tices were daily routine. Under
trying, crowded conditions, clothes
washing required not merely skill,
but most intricate strategy, feat
that might well tax the more in
genuous mariner, but not the mid
shipmen. There appeared to be no
limit to their capacity for punish
ment, for with each arduous task,
they bounded back with grin, for
more and then some. This is the
caliber of which the personnel is
made up in this flrst officers school.
At Norfolk, Va, the first port, the
ship anchored 7 miles out, in Or
der to benefit by whatever breeze
drifted by in that blistering bay.
Only one who has been in Norfolk
in midsummer can appreciate the
intensity of heat that far exceeds
that of Cuba, the next stop, where
the ship maneuvered in Guantana-
mo Bay for five days. Recreation
and duty went hand in hand. Base
ball, swimming, picnics and target