CHAPTER 19 SUBJECT B.—WHAT THE SERVICE OFFERS WHAT THE NAVY OFFERS After a man has mastered the general military details of the profession, the Navy holds forth a number of different specialties with excellent opportunities for instruction and training therein. Early in his enlistment it will pay every man to decide for which of these numerous branches he deems himself best fitted, constantly bearing in mind the fact that, irrespective of his rating, he must be first a man-of-war's-man, and secondly, a specialist in his own particular rating. Application and industry in any of the Navy branches, combined with absolute obedience and strict compliance with the rules of military discipline, can not fail to win for the intelligent man promotion to the rating of chief petty officer. Having attained this rating, men of ambition and ability are often promoted to the rank of warrant officer, and every opportunity is given the warrant officer to fit himself for a commission. THE FUTURE THE NAVY HAS TO OFFER The Navy offers a young man, who wants to make good, a real future. There is not a place in civil life than can compare with the Navy in this respect. Here are the opportunities that the Navy offers you: (a) Fine courses of training in practically every profession. (b) A clean, wholesome, and honorable position in life. (c) Plenty of leave and liberty, and every facility for recreation. No place in civil life can offer you any thing to compare with this. (d) Rapid promotion to men who study and work. In five or six years a good man can rise to the higherpay grades. (e) Higher pay in shorter time than can usually be obtained in civil life. (f) Excellent opportunities to reach warrant and commissioned ranks. Either of these ranks carry with them the privileges, the honor, and the responsibilities not surpassed by any of the big professions in civil life. (g) Free medical, dental, and hospital facilities to all service men. Full pay as long as you are sick, provided this sickness is not due to your own misconduct. In civil life sickness means large doctor bills and usually a stoppage of pay. (h) A permanent job. You can be discharged only by a sentence of a court-martial after your first enlistment, and then only when your offense has been of a very serious nature. In civil life a dull period, a "run-in" with the boss, or any one of a dozen insignificant reasons can cause you to lose your job. (2) A fine opportunity to see the world. No man who has spent several cruises in the Navy has failed to see a large part of the world. (j) Pensions for men who have been injured in line of duty. (k) Transfer to the Fleet Naval Reserve after 20 years' service and retirement after 30 years' total naval service with a fixed income all your life. (7) The facilities of the Navy relief in case your family needs it and cheap Government insurance are also available. Service schools and requirements for entry. See pages 195-197. Appointment of enlisted men to the Naval Academy. See page 197. Promotion to warrant rank and commissioned rank. See pages 198-199. ADVANCEMENT IN RATING-GENERAL Before a man may be advanced in rating he must: (a) Meet certain requirements as to length of service. (b) Meet certain requirements as to marks in proficiency in rating and conduct. (c) Pass satisfactorily a technical examination. (d) Be recommended by his commanding officer. (e) The Bureau of Navigation must have authorized advancements to the rating in question. ADVANCEMENT IN RATING-SERVICE QUALIFICATIONS Men are qualified for advancement when they fulfill the requirements of service as provided below: ADVANCEMENT IN RATING-WHEN AUTHORIZED (1) Commanding officers are authorized to advance apprentice seamen to seamen, second class, without regard to vacancies, and to firemen, third class, to fill vacancies in complement. (2) Commanding officers are authorized to advance men to nonrated grades, except officers' stewards, officers' cooks, and musicians, first class, to fill vacancies in approved complement without prior reference to the bureau. (3) From time to time the bureau issues instruction as to authority for advancing men to petty officer ratings. NECESSITY OF GOOD RECORD A good record implies that you are obedient. As explained before, obedience makes a ship a fighting power. A lack of obedience on your part, such as disobedience to orders or disrespect for your senior, will get you on the report. All reports are placed in your service record, and your record is closely examined by every examining board before which you may appear. No one without a good record can be promoted. Besides, a good record shows that you are trustworthy. If you should get into trouble, a previous good record will always help you or make your punishment less severe. A good record will always help you to get special consideration at all times. THE SHIP AS A TRAINING SCHOOL Most of the petty officers in the Navy have been trained and promoted on board ship. The trade schools train only a few of them except in a few high ratings. Your ship offers you the same opportunities |