US Naval Reserve Midshipmens School - Capstan Yearbook (Notre Dame, IN)

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ECORDS prove that a Naval Officer is the most marrying and Umarria- ble', ohicer of all the services. It may be the uniform or it may be some incompre- hensible superiority of personality. But then again it may be because he is so com- pletely domesticated and so very eligible for family life. Trained intensively from the beginning of his Naval career, he stands head and shoulders above the field even when the most frivolous of women is making the de- cision. But in most cases, he is so besieged by clamoring females that he is free to sat- isfy all his whims in making a selection. When they learn about the things Mid- shipmen are taught, they affect the expres- sion ofthe beautiful maiden in magazine advertisements, yearning for a home,and family. And then they chatter about the frailty of femininity and how frightfully unprotected women are against the cruel- ties of civilization. H931 We made our beds, swept and swabbed the decks, cleaned the windows, polished the brightwork, washed bulkheads, re- paired electric lights and sewed buttons on mangled trousers. And then, when the laundry began to use fulminate of mercury as a cleaner, we washed socks and skivvies and darned during study hours. But the midshipmen became quite proud of their domestic achievements. It was nothing unusual for one to pause during the morning room cleanup and confide to his roommate: 'fYou know, when llm married I'm going to show my wife a thing or two about making beds. And he probably will, too! It was a versatility reminiscent of the Rennaissance. But we shall never deprive the ladies of the pleasure they obtain from fastening stiffened collars to unconquera- ble buttons . . . and thatls for sure.

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r ,U QS OMEHOW we never could keep in step with the fellow in front of us, or the platoon leader at our side with his hup, two, three, four, hup-hup ..... H Maybe it was because the man behind us was always stepping on the heels of our newly polished shoes or maybe it was because we were accustomed to asserting our individuality. Then, one day, we got a drummer to assure a more even cadence. lt was a swell idea-except each suc- cessive drummer had his own notions about the correct beat and several of them thought they were Gene Krupas at the skins and pounded out cannabalistic tempos. Somehow we'd manage to hold an even pace for a few minutes but then we'd see the platoon ahead keeping a different one and the CPO would bark, 'iGet in step with the platoon aheadln YVe hadnlt varied one bit, but there we were, out of step again. Someday someone will take time out to analyze this thing and ascertain how 25 men can get out of step as a unit, and proffer a remedy. But until then, we,ll just have to keep changin, step or get stepped on . . . L1921 rf 'va ff' K ,. . V mg-rf, Y ,,:gi,g V E QNQY' K M M FT, , ua. K, rv. N 'Y -.w

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gw9mw HDia' I ever tellyou I was voted :Most Likeb lo Succeed, ai Lafayette in 7938.9', HILE sitting in Demerit's' ofhce under the bench in Morrissey Hall one day, we decided that it might not be a bad idea to give those who are to follow us some idea of what they can expect at Notre Dame. After consulting some of the offi- cers, the following report was submitted and ap- proved. To the Apprentice Seaman of the 2nd Midshipman class, we offer it as conclusive evi- dence that the V-7 course is impossible. We know we couldrft get through it and we are sure that you WOI'1,t be able to do it either. The first lesson you will learn when you get off the train in South Bend, trying to look as military as you can in your gray tweeds, is that it is easy enough to get into the Navy. The Navy trucks will pick up you and your baggage at the depot and will take you out to the station. Ifyou happen Min Ol' f194l to arrive there safely, the fight is half over. We should remind you that the ship,s company who drive the trucks have been recruited from the Wild West shows and Coney Island roller coasters throughout the country, but don't let that bother you. They havenit got driver's licenses so at least the cops can't stop them. ' The first Government Issue that you receive will be your bedding and there are a few things you ought to know about the blankets in the United States Navy. If you ever get the temptation to break regulation number 657 and lounge on your bunk, be sure you put newspapers, your towel or the letters from the girl friend betwixt you and those blankets. They are built to shed lint at the slightest provocation, and no matter what you tell the officer who notices it, there is still the tell-tale