Page 228 - The interest of America in sea power, present and future

Preparedness for Naval War. 209

which all enterprises are liable ; and it may be
added that it is as applicable to the material
force— the ships, guns, etc. — as it is to the
men.
The United States, like Great Britain, de-
pends wholly upon voluntary enlistments ; and
both nations, with unconscious logic, have laid
great stress upon continuous service, and com-
paratively little upon reserves. When seamen
have served the period which entitles them to
the rewards of continuous service, without fur-
ther enlistment, they are, though still in the
prime of life, approaching the period when fit-
ness, in the private seaman or soldier, depends
upon ingrained habit — perfect practical famil-
iarity with the life which has been their one
calling — rather than upon that elastic vigor
which is the privilege of youth. Should they
elect to continue in the service, there still
remain some years in which they are an invalu-
able leaven, by character and tradition. If
they depart, they are for a few years a reserve
for war — if they choose to come forward ; but
it is manifest that such a reserve can be but
small, when compared with a system which in
three or five years passes men through the