Page 2 Advertisements Column 1

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 419, 4 August 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

AMERICAN SAILORS RISING FROM THE RANKS. Through our Students' Aid Department many of our Students are assisted to secure good positions, and we frequently receive requests from manufacturers who desire to engage men with special training. As we have branches in Australia, South Africa, India, Canada, U.S. America, Great Britain, and in fact in every part of the world, we are in a unique position to assist our Students wherever they may go, and our best services are always at their disposal. Read the following extract from the “ New Zealand Herald,” Auckland, of 10th April, 1908 : The American bluejacket is a distinctly different type from the British man-o'-wars-man, and resembles more the stamp of young colonials who have been recruited from Australasian stations for the Australasian Squadron. Like the New Zealander and Australian, he is quick, alert, and ready to act on his own initiative if the occasion requires. This faculty, which is part of the national character, is fostered in the American man-o’-warsman by his nautical training, which differs in many respects from the training the English naval defender receives. In recent years the wise policy of the American nation has been to offer men who choose the navy as their life’s career exceptional opportunities of rising from the ranks to responsible positions. Five years ago Secretary Moody stated before the Committee of Naval Affairs in the United States House of Representatives that he had recommended an increase of the limit of promotions from the ranks. This was in pursuance of the will of the people, as expressed by Congress. "It is the purpose ” remarked Secretary Moody on that occasion, “if we can find enlisted men in the service who can pass the rigid examination that is absolutely essential, to give them a chance of promotion.” The Chief of the Bureau of Navigation at the time also sent to the flag-officers commanding the different squadrons an admonition to look through the service and acquaint those who were eligible with the provisions of the law, and encourage them to prepare to seek admission to the line of the navy. Another source of supply is the naval academy. As a result of this policy America is gradually bringing forward a smart set of efficient young officers, who have largely risen from the ranks. For instance, amongst the crews of the squadron which is to visit Auckland there are several thousand International Correspondence Schools’ students, who are preparing themselves by systematic study to rise higher in their profession. The it may be mentioned, are an American organisation tor the promotion of Education by Mail in all sorts of trades and professions, includingengineeringand navigation. The organisation is in touch with its students by means of Branches all over the world. The students of the local Branch (Auckland), which is situated in Shortland-street, intend to arrange a welcome to their fellow-students when the fleet arrives in these waters. Rear-Admiral Evans, who takes a warm interest in the men under his command, consistently recommends all young men in the navy to take a course of study, andtohelp them to improve themselves he provides them with a study-room and opportunities to use it. Rear-Admiral Thomas, who commands the second division of the squadron under Admiral Evans, follows a similar policy, and there are many students on his flagship Minnesota. The national policy of encouraging the men of the navy to rise from the ranks has had the seal of approval put upon it by President Roosevelt himself, in the following words :—“I am informed that it is a common thing for the men to be engaged in courses with the correspondence schools, which now play a considerable figure in our national education. The tendency, therefore, is for the enlisted man steadily to improve himself while he is in the service.” When everything is considered, it is safe to say that no other navy in the world offers to its subordinates such opportunities for advancement as the United States navy.