“Well, that’s my business—I have to do it. I wouldn’t want to pass you and have you sent to a training station, only to learn there, later, that you must be rejected. That would be a bad mark against my ability. 

 “But as it is, I’ll almost guarantee that you’ll pass when you come up before the medical officer. I wish all the recruits were as strong and healthy as you two.” 

 This was a fine compliment, and Frank and Ned appreciated it. 

 “Well, so far so good,” remarked Sergeant Berk, when the doctor had put away his stethoscope and finished filling out the blanks. “Now you boys will have to be sent to a training station, and at present my orders are to ship all enlisted men from here to Norfolk. I hope you don’t 66 mind going there, but if you do perhaps you can get a transfer later.” 

66

 “Norfolk suits us right down to the ground!” exclaimed Frank. “We may get a chance to see our uncle,” he added. 

 “Not right away, I’m afraid,” was the sergeant’s answer. “You’ll be kept pretty busy learning your new duties. Are you going in for any special line of work?” 

 “Why, we want to work on a battleship!” exclaimed Ned. “Fire the guns, I suppose.” 

 “Yes, most new recruits do,” was the comment. “But every one can’t be a gunner. You know Uncle Sam has to have a lot of different workers on his ships. There are those who are expert in steering, others who do nothing but cook. Then there are men who handle the anchors, others who man the boats, and even stenographers and typewriters are needed. Just to mention a few I might specify clerks, waiters, nurses, copper-smiths, plumbers, boilermakers, painters and stewards. 

 “And to make sure that he will get the best of help in these lines of work,” went on the sergeant, “Uncle Sam trains men to fill the different positions. They are much better able to do their work with training, than they would be without.” 

 “And do we have to select what branch we’d like best?” asked Ned. 67 

67

 “Well, in a way, yes, though of course you’ll be picked for what you are best suited, or for what is most needed.” 

 “I want to be a gunner,” declared Frank. 

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