In your own particular field of submarine
work you are amply fitted to hold officers' commissions. Yet, under the
law, you cannot be granted commissions until you are twenty-one years
of age. None of you are quite eighteen.
"Therefore, it has occurred to me that you can be appointed, specially,
with rank, command and pay, until you are twenty-one. The President
agrees with me in what I have to offer. You, Mr. Benson, are offered
a special appointment as lieutenant, junior grade, in the United States
Navy. You, Mr. Hastings, and you, Mr. Somers, are offered special
appointments as ensigns. You will all have the privileges of your
ranks except the actual commissions. Yet you will be actual officers,
and entitled to full respect. Moreover, the President promises that,
when you are twenty-one years of age, you shall have regular commissions
promptly. In case the President is not re-elected to his office, he
agrees to urge upon his successor in the White House the fulfilment
of the promise. So, if you accept the special appointments, now,
you are absolutely certain of commissions as soon as you reach the
age of twenty-one.
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