United States Naval Academy - Lucky Bag Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

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FOREIGN LANGUAGES The prof sure goes out for this ' atmos- VnV IcTWV Phere ' stuff! IttMm Captain D. J. MacDonald, USN The general objective of the Department of Foreign Languages is, To provide every midshipman with a working knowledge of one foreign language, with emphasis on conversational ability, and, to the greatest extent possible, to acquaint him with the geography, the customs, the history, the literature, and the economic and political institutions of the people whose language is being studied. Naval officers are frequently in contact with foreigners and are often the only representatives of this country present. The advantages of being able to converse directly in their language are obvious. The time allotted to the study of languages at the Naval Academy is, of course, insufficient to produce accomplished linguists. This Department endeavors, however, to stimulate interest in languages and provide an incentive for midshipmen to continue to build on the foundation they have acquired, in order that the Fleet may be provided with officers capable of dealing effectively with foreign nationals. The Department of foreign Languages 2:5 .?.

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ENGLISH, HISTORY, AND GOVERNMENT . . . but you DID pass the composition . . . B. o Captain J. F. Davidson, USN John Paul Jones made a famous statement of the characteristics a naval officer should possess: It it by no means enough that an officer should be a capable mariner. He must be that of course, but also a great deal more. He should be as well a gentleman of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy and the nicest sense of personal honor. The Department of English, History, and Government considers this to be an excellent statement of our goal. To attain the non-professional aspects of it, we have tried to insure that the young naval officer can write and speak like an educated gentleman; that he has read and shared the inspirations of great writers of the past; that he understands the part he plays as officer and citizen under the Constitution and appreciates the fundamentals of economics; that he is aware of the guiding principles of naval warfare and the inspiration of great naval leaders of all lands and ages; and that he can speak with clarity and conviction. This department implements these aims as its share in making the young officer in fact an educated and courteous gentleman with the highest ideals of honor and responsibility. The Department of English, History, and Government 22

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SEAMANSHIP AND Every officer a capable mariner might well be the motto of the Seamo Department! From the arrival of the new midshipman at the Naval Academy, until he left to join the fleet as an ensign, all sails were unfurled in order to equip him with a foundation of professional knowledge requisite to immediate usefulness as a junior officer and fundamental to his development as a competent naval officer. His indoctrination in basic seamanship began in Plebe Summer when he spent many hours on the waters of the Chesapeake learning the fundamentals of boating, knot tying, rules of the road, and signaling. This training was continued during fourth class academic year and was expanded to include drill in voice radio, telephone talking, ground tackle, anchoring and mooring. His introduction to shipboard life occurred the following summer when he was embarked in a modern man-of-war for a prac- tice cruise to foreign ports. Seamanship drills were continued during third class academic year with further practice in rules of the road and flag hoist procedure. This year was climaxed by Operation Camid during the summer. Theroetical and practical instruction in Navigation and Nautical Astronomy was presented to the midshipman during his second class year. The summer cruise which followed gave him an opportunity to demonstrate his navigational ability, and to learn of the duties and responsibilities of junior officers. The final phase of his instruction, in first class year, provided the midshipman with the fundamentals of naval tactics and operations and other associated subjects necessary to complete the background for his professional career. He was now ready to take his place in the Fleet as an officer of the Navy Line. Captain J. S. Lewis, USN The Department of Seamanship and Navigation £ 24 JSSt