Sixth.—Of Naval History and Strategy, International Law—especially of belligerents and neutrals—and the Law of the Sea, Consular Duties, &c.
Seventh.—Of Modern Languages.
Into each of these schools let the cadets be drafted, the choice to be determined by their own predilection or comparative fitness, at the close of the second year, and after completing such number of these courses, not less than four, as may be prescribed, let them have the privilege of an examination.
Each of these departments or schools might be opened to a certain number of candidates, on competitive examination, from each State—no matter where they may have received their education—and permission might be given to officers of any rank to review and extend their knowledge of either of these departments with the more advanced text-books and means of instruction. By this arrangement the service will secure the highest development of any special aptitude, preparation, or experience—and will more frequently get “the right man in the right place.”
The importance of these great departments of the naval service, and of special preparation for them, is fully appreciated by the Academic Board, but any attempt to give this preparation to all the members of the present classes, with such unequal and deficient preparatory knowledge and with such diverse aptitudes for particular branches, would be futile. The attempt to teach as much as is now done, under the circumstances, only produces confused and unsatisfactory results with a large portion of the class. The remedy for this state of things seems to the Visitors to be in:—
1. More thorough preparation, higher average ability, and greater maturity of mind on the part of the cadets.
2. A thorough scientific course up to a certain point, for all the cadets, to occupy two years.
3. The requiring of linguistic training (in one or more modern languages,) only of those who show some aptitude or previous preparation for the same.
4. An option of two or three of the above courses, and a thorough proficiency in those selected before being permitted to pass as midshipman.
5. And finally continuation of study as well as of practice after graduation in the directions for which there is a demonstrated fitness and ability.