| VOL 1 | 11 April 1942 | NO. XLII |
Article Index
AN IMPRESSIVE TOTAL
TWO HUNDRED and forty six men of this ship have been recommended to take current examinations for advancement in rating, according to a memorandum issued during the week.
It must be realized that book learning alone does not bring such recommendation. Completing the training course for the next higher rating is not enough. Ability to deliver the goods is the first requirement and that includes delivery consistently day by day and establishing a conviction in the minds of superiors that the goods will be duly delivered when the guns are in action.
The impressive total of men recommended illustrates the fact that opportunities for advancement were never better in the entire history of our Navy. However, it must be borne in mind that only one promotion is automatic from apprentice seamen to seaman second or fireman third, and that is not entirely so, being dependent upon a satisfactory record. All other advancements are competitive. Men by study and proven fitness must demonstrate their ability to be given higher ratings with greater responsibilities. A good record is a primary requisite for recommendation, and it is most regrettable that in the past a great many advancements have not been made because the men concerned had failed to follow the rules.
The examinations listed are for twenty six ratings.
WELCOME
We extend greetings and welcome to Manuel Traubman CRM who joined us during the past week.
Traubman has over 12 years of service including 3 years of Asiatic duty. A few of the ships in which he has seen service are the Blakely, King, Canopus and Northampton He is one of the few in the C.P.O. quarters who is still single.
MOTHER'S DAY
Annual observance of Mother's Day will be held throughout the United States on Sunday 10 May, 1942. Attention of all Navy and Marines Corps personnel is invited to the significance of Mother's Day and to the duty of every one to render tribute to his mother. If you are fortunate in that your mother is living, write a timely letter to her. Better still, write frequently to your parents. They are proud of you and nothing pleases them more than frequent cheerful letters from their boy.
SHIN KICKERS
The Cougar Soccer Team has resumed practice under the coaching of Mr. White and Mr. Matton, in preparation for engaging teams from other naval units. Competition is keen, for prospective opponents have had quite a bit of experience, and of course, the Cougars desire physical contact with able customers. Prospects for the Cougars look good. There are several fellows who have had previous experience on high School, prep, and college teams and the "Old Team" is still intact.
Men who have reported for the squad are:
| G. Harrison | R. F. Boardman |
| P. J. Stahnke | W. R. Nydigger |
| J. P. La Plante | R. R. Miller |
| J. L. Coner | R. G. Fryen |
| E. L. Hall | Mittlman |
| G. S. Taylor | C. F. Beacht |
| F. S. Stark | R. J. Morse |
| T. F. White | S. Tersrenyak |
| C. O. Comstock | J. H. Giele |
| W. J. Nilan | D. F. Gannon |
CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
A cross country running team is being organized. Men interested in this fascinating sport are requested to give their names to Mr. Carpenter in the First Lieutenant's Office.
ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES
IT IS PLANNED whenever facilities are available to take advantage of opportunities for 
outdoor sports. Softball readily fits in with the ship's schedule on days we are in port in that elaborate training is not necessary. An inter-divisional schedule is to be arranged. Men will be permitted according to the Executive Officer to play even if in the duty sections provided qualified reliefs can be obtained. All rooters must rate liberty.
If in company with other ships there is a possibility that inter-ship smokers may be arranged. To this end, wrestlers and boxers are encouraged to work out at sea.
NO MORE DISCHARGES
The Bureau has recently discontinued the practice of approving requests for discharge of enlisted men of the Regular Navy and Naval Reserve in order to enter the Army as Aviation Cadets.
Those whose requests have already been approved may be discharged. Future requests should not be forwarded and those now in the Bureau will be filed without further action.
HOMESICKNESS
Homesickness is not a physical but a mental disease. It is applicable to a person who has become so attached to home that the very parting from that home causes acute uneasiness.
When a sailor is afflicted with homesickness, such indeed is a decided tribute to those loving members of his immediate family who have helped unknowingly to implant and impress upon his mind the value of home.
To our mind a man who becomes homesick is not a so called "mamma's boy" or one who is tied to his mother's "apron strings." Upon the contrary such a young man is imbued with the finer things of life and has undergone a refining influence in the tender pears of childhood.
In this as in all other cases there may be extremes.
A man may be so mollycoddled and petted at home during early childhood that in later years he may become a serious menace to himself by lacking self reliance, force and initiative, qualifications necessary to success.
When a young man feels a deep yearning for home and mother welling up within his soul, then it is time for him to think of his manhood and duty. He is far away from home and must make the best of it. He must cultivate a spirit of optimism. It is said that the tragedy of motherhood is a mother seeing her baby boy grow to manhood, finally leaving the threshold of home to enter the outer world to perform his duty to mankind.
At such a time it is a mother's duty to send her son encouraging letters in the performance of his duty. Letters of sympathy in his homesick state will only encourage bitterness and pessimism.
The man who gets interested in sports and the other competitions in which his division is engaged, and who sincerely tries to make friends with his associates soon will get over homesickness.
Time is a sure cure for homesickness. Meanwhile, the man should never write a whining letter home. He should mingle with his fellows and not give way to self-pity. No one likes a sourpuss. Let him speak to the Chaplain if he wishes to confide in some one. The Chaplain has dealt with hundreds of similar cases and will not laugh at what he knows is a real sickness. But he should never let anyone else here or at home know he is homesick. He should try and keep up the spirit of his shipmates and soon he will find that his own homesickness will disappear.
The country is at war. No American should let homesickness deprive him of the strong morale and esprit de corps necessary to perform his duty as a fighting man-o-warsman.
Those loving ones at home will admire and respect a self reliant bluejacket. They will be proud of him knowing that he is a man with other men, doing his duty nobly.
A WALKING ADVERTISEMENT
"As a walking advertisement for Uncle Sam's Navy and what it can do for a young fellow, we give you Fred Apostoli as today's best window display," wrote Sid (Associated Press) Feder after Freddie had flattened Augie Arellano in Brooklyn recently.
"Since I enlisted, this sailor life has put me back in Shape," Freddie told the reporter. "The environment is perfect for a young fellow -- it makes him feel right at home. There's nothing like it."
Feder covered the bout in which Apostoli, former middleweight champion now essaying a comeback stopped his touted foe in five rounds, and said Fred is a far different Apostoli than the beaten battler who had his title and his ears knocked off by Ceferino Carcia; who barely lasted against Melio Bettina last year.
"Always quiet and keeping to himself,' Feder continued, "he fairly sparkles now when he tells you how he feels--stronger than at any time in three years and able to hit harder and think faster."
CONGRATULATIONS
Another recent addition to the personnel of Officers' Country was that of Mr. H. B Hughes.
Mr. Hughes, a veteran of over 20 years service, was a member of the crew who commissioned the U.S.S. Washington and came to this ship after 3 years in the Riena Mercedes at Annapolis. He is an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and devotes much of his untiring energy to the furtherment of that organization.
His wife and daughter are joined by his shipmates in expressing hearty congratulations on his appointment.
NO SPINNING
Why can a train go around a curve without the inside wheel spinning, especially since the wheel is keyed to the shaft?
The reason is that the tires on railway and street car wheels are tapered, with the inside of the wheel being of smaller diameter than the outer part. Hence the inside wheel on a curve travels a shorter distance.
Loose lips can sink ships.
| YOUR JOB |
Wherever you're working -- in turret |
| (with apologies for adaptation.) |
or shop,
--Youngstown Bulletin
The big things you can see with one eye closed. But keep both
eyes wide open for the little things. Little things mark the
great dividing line between success and failure.
--------------The Friendly Adventurer
The police department of a large city sent six photos of a wanted criminal to the police department of another city. After four days they received this telegram:
"Have caught five of the men you want and expect to arrest the sixth tomorrow.
AROUND THE SHIP
In "G" Division "Moose" Peddicord gets entangled with lockers, knives, and food in general about eight times a day trying to keep his tapeworm from starving. Then there’s the one about a cup of coffee which caused the case of "Ski" versus the people --too much coffee is hard on you anyway, "Ski."
A sea going sentence can be credited to Pfc. Worse, of 7th Division--"Close the door and hatch it down. I got to go down stairs to the bathroom." The Marines have also been noticed working out on the striking bag in the mess compartment.
"Big Horn" Davis, Master-at-Arms, has just been transferred to the 8th Division. Wonder how loud he'll blow his horn now?
And here's one from "H" Division--A traveling salesman was driving by a farmhouse in his car and noticed some hogs acting peculiarly. They would lift their heads, squeal, and run up into the woods. Then they wuld run back down to the pen and squeal again.
Being curious the salesman engaged the farmer in conversation and asked him why the hogs acted that way. "Well", said the farmer, when I first started to feed them I used to pound on a board to call them. And now the durned wood peckers are running "em crazy."
Did you hear about the Scotsman who called up his
girl friend
to ask when she had a free night?
| THAT OLD NAVY HAMMOCK |
"Twas new when I drew it, and frequently
When night spreads her shadowy |
"I hear you were once in the Army."
"Yes, and once I saved the life of every man in our camp."
"Is that so! How"
"I shot the cook."
OFFICER "MAKES GRADE"
It is alleged that there was great consternation at the Pearly Gates Sunday morning at 0930 (according to QM St. Peter's log) when a Naval Officer and a Minister from Texas arrived at the same time.
It seems that when St. Peter, who was O.O.D. at the time, saw the Naval Officer he became very excited. He broke out the full guard (Marines imported from Hades for the occasion), the band of Angels, sixteen side-Angels, and the Gate piped by a man with a golden horn (there aren't any boatswain's mates in Heaven).
The band played several marches and everything went off in great style (the bandmaster being on leave).
After it was an over, the Minister came through the Gate but was quickly shunted down a side street. Well he being a man of the Gospel, took it in good faith, but when he learned later that there was to be a big reception that evening for the officer (fifteen angels allotted from each division) he grew angry. He went to the recording Angel, who was a retired Personnel Office Yeoman, and demanded to know why he, a man who had given his life to the Service of the Lord, should be ignored while a Naval Officer (mostly staff duty) should be feted and praised by all hands.
The Angel then explained to him that the place was practically filled with ministers, but that the Naval Officer who had just arrived was one of the first ever to make the grade.
Rats have big ears. Be careful what you say in public places.
That Australian tendency to turn all "a's" into "i's" is the basis of the best gag now circulating among the Americans, to wit:
An American soldier who had been in a traffic accident regained consciousness in an Australian hospital and asked the nurse solemnly. "Was I brought here to die?" The nurse answered. "No, you were brought here yesterday."
AIGUILLETTES
Aiguillettes are the loops of gold braid worn on the shoulder and around the arm by naval officers who are aides to Presidents, Secretaries of the Navy, and Admirals.
The aides to the President always wear their aiguillettes on the right side and they are made of plain gold braid. Aides to all others wear them on the left side and they are made of blue and gold braid. Aides of the President, Admiral, or higher officers wear four loops. Aides to Vice Admirals wear three loops, and aides for Rear Admirals or officers of lower rank wear two loops.
When the custom to wear aiguillettes originated seems to be a bit obscure but there are two stories.
One, that Charles Martel, who defeated the Saracens had trouble keeping his officers with him, so he made each one wear a hangman's knot around his shoulder. Should the officer then desert and later be caught, he would be hung by the knot which he carried. This of course impressed upon the officer the authority of Charles Martel.
Another story has it that in the days of knighthood the squires who tended the knights had to lace them in their armor. Therefore, the squires carried several extra laces looped around their arms at the shoulder. Thus this would eventually signify one who aided a man of rank.
"Bill is the kind of a fellow you don't see just every day."
"You're right. He owes me two bucks."
