Page 221 - The interest of America in sea power, present and future

202 Preparedness for Naval War.

of a particular weapon, but also the habit and
working of the military organization of which
he is an individual member. It is not enough
that he learn just that one part of the whole
machinery which falls to him to handle he
;
must be acquainted with the mutual relations
of the other parts to his own and to the whole,
at least in great measure. Such knowledge is
essential even to the full and intelligent dis-
charge of his own duty, not to speak of the fact
that in battle every man should be ready to
supply the place of another of his own class and
grade who has been disabled. Unless this be
so, the ship will be very far short of her best
efficiency.
Now, to possess such proficiency in the hand-
ling of naval material for war, and in playing
an intelligent part in the general functioning of
a ship in action, much time is required. Time
is required to obtain it, further time is needed
in order to retain it ; and such time, be it more
or less, is time lost for other purposes, — lost
both to the individual and to the community.
When you have your thoroughly efficient man-
of-war's man, you cannot store him as you do
your guns and ammunition, or lay him up as