HOW TO ENTER THE ARMY.

BY GENERAL O. O. HOWARD, U.S.A.

(In Two Papers.)

II.

THE MILITARY ACADEMY.

The usual method for a boy to obtain a commission in the army is to pass through the four years' course of study, and graduate at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Receiving a diploma upon completing this course, he is by law appointed by the President a Second Lieutenant in some branch of the four military divisions of service—Engineers, Artillery, Cavalry, or Infantry. Cadets are annually admitted to the Military Academy by appointment. Each Congressman has the right to request one for a resident of his district, the Secretary of War giving the appointment. Ten are also appointed by the President, selecting at large from anywhere in the United States. Besides these, each Territory and the District of Columbia are entitled to one. This would allow about 400 cadets, but the course is so severe that the number becomes very much reduced. Last June the corps numbered 285; but including the entering class of 103 the present number is only 336 cadets. Application to Washington can be made at any time. It will be placed on file in the office of the Secretary of War, and notice sent to the representative of that district whenever a vacancy occurs. The application must give the full name of the young man, date of birth, and permanent residence. Appointments are required to be made one year in advance of date of admission, except that, in case of death or other cause, vacancies may occur; then they may be filled in time for the next annual examination. At present candidates appear for mental and physical examination before a board of officers convened at the military post nearest their respective places of residence on the first day of March annually. The successful candidates will be admitted to the Academy without further examination upon reporting in person to the superintendent at West Point before 12 m. on the 15th day of June. Candidates selected to fill the vacancies unprovided for by the March boards, and those which may occur afterwards, will be instructed to report at West Point for examination early in June. After admission at West Point, cadets must sign an engagement to serve the United States eight years, and take and subscribe the Oath of Allegiance. They agree to obey all legal orders of their superior officers.

Cadets admitted must be between seventeen and twenty-two years of age, and five feet or more in height, and unmarried. They must be well versed in reading, writing, and spelling, so as to spell correctly from dictation a considerable number of test words; in arithmetic enough to be able to take up at once the higher branches without further study of arithmetic; and have a thorough knowledge of the elements of English grammar; of descriptive geography, particularly that of the United States, and of the history of the United States.

We thus see that it is in the common branches that the boy desiring to go to West Point must especially perfect himself to be able to enter; but a student of higher mathematics and other collegiate studies has a better chance for class standing, when the different subjects are taken up, after entering, and rapidly pushed to completion. The first year algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and surveying are completed; analytical geometry, use of logarithms, rhetoric, and English language studied, with French commenced; besides, the practical instruction in military drill and discipline is demanded. There are marchings to every exercise, to mess-hall, chapel, and recitations. Fencing, bayonet, and gymnastic drills come the first year.

The second year analytical and descriptive geometry and calculus, with method of "least squares," are completed. French is finished, and also several weeks of Spanish, drawing, and practical military training and bridge-building.

The third year philosophy is substituted for mathematics, analytical mechanics, astronomy, and wave-motion being finished. The cadets take chemistry, electricity, mineralogy, and geology; also military drawing, drill regulations, and practical engineering, with signalling.

The fourth year has military engineering, fortifications, and art of war; also constitutional, international, and military law, history, practical instruction in astronomy, and the study of ordnance and gunnery. All this time the cadet is constantly subject to the life and duties of a soldier, just as far as his studies will permit. Infantry drill in squad, company, and battalion, cavalry and artillery drill, guard duty, parades, reviews, and other ceremonies are incessant. The cadet's life is more than a busy one. So hard is it, that out of one hundred candidates who enter seldom more than fifty graduate.

But a boy of sound body and good constitution, with suitable preparation and good natural capacity, and aptitude for study, industrious, persevering, and of an obedient and orderly disposition, with a correct moral deportment, will not fail to receive the reward of his four years' labor in a commission in the United States army.

THE PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS DIRECT FROM CIVIL LIFE.

The third way a commission is sometimes obtained is by direct appointment to a Second Lieutenancy by the President, who has the power, and exercises it when vacancies occur over and above those filled by cadet graduates of West Point, and by candidate non-commissioned officers from the ranks. In the case of the President having appointed a civilian to fill a vacancy, the appointee is called upon to pass an examination, mentally and physically. The subjects of examination are the common English branches, also history, geometry, surveying, international and constitutional law. If accepted, after a critical and extensive trial he is passed by the examining board, he will receive a commission from the President, either in the cavalry or infantry; and after serving some little time with his regiment he will usually be sent to the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth for a post-graduate course. Surgeons, undergoing a most thorough examination, are appointed First Lieutenants directly into the service, as are often Paymasters and Judge-Advocates with the rank of Major.

SUBSEQUENT SUCCESS.

We have brought our young man through the three different doorways to the position of a commissioned officer of the lowest grade, viz., a Second Lieutenant. His subsequent success as an officer will depend upon himself. The usual promotion is, as a rule, according to seniority, i. e., the ranking man of one grade goes to the next higher, except in case of war, when the best man is selected to fill a position of higher rank according as he is believed to be fit therefor. Though regular promotion may be slow, an officer has many other channels of success.

The highest cadets in class rank, perhaps four or five, go into the Engineer Corps, where their work is mainly among civilians, and their promotion rapid. The Ordnance Corps is filled by special competitive examination of Second Lieutenants of the army; the successful receive the rank of First Lieutenant on entering the corps. The departments of the Quartermaster, Commissary, Paymaster, Judge-Advocate, and Adjutant-General are filled from the lines of officers, giving to the appointed increased rank and pay. There are many special details open to industrious officers; between thirty and forty being selected for colleges; some for military attaches at foreign courts; also others for aides-de-camp to generals; and for places of importance in Washington.

Officers are required to study extensively, and pass examinations for every promotion. The diploma from the Infantry and Cavalry School will entitle the holder to promotion for five years without further examination. The profession of an army officer may not be so remunerative pecuniarily as one of like study and preparation in civil life; but perhaps, with the one exception of the ever-impending danger or prospect of active service, his is as comfortable and satisfying as that of the average professional or business man.

The pay of a Second Lieutenant, whose age varies from twenty-one to twenty-eight, is, in infantry, $116.67 per month, and in cavalry $125 per month, together with advantages of groceries at cost price, coal at about one-half the usual cost, and quarters free.

Thus we cannot help feeling that the young man who strives for success in the army, from the ranks of a private soldier up, will feel amply repaid, particularly if he receives a commission, and then continues to make a good soldierly reputation.

Usually where a son is desirous of entering the army through any open door, his parents immediately inquire concerning his surroundings. Are they favorable to good morals? Are they conducive to a religious life? The answer is that good morals are required at the outset; but of course in barrack life as it is a young man would be likely to be influenced by the example of his comrades. In some companies there could be no fault to find. In others he would encounter much roughness of speech—perhaps as much as in the forecastle of a ship. As to religion there is nothing necessarily hindering, no more than in railroading, in working in large out-door gangs, in manufactories, or elsewhere in the world.

The young man as a Christian is always called upon to resist temptation, and I do not think it harder in the army than elsewhere; for everywhere temptations must be met and overcome. There are many decided Christian officers and soldiers—perhaps as large a proportion as are to be found in other business careers.