The Chinese Naval Academy

That is, if one is lucky enough to get in. The Chinese Naval Academy is considered the number one military academy in the ROC, so getting in is something like being accepted by National Taiwan University. Wearing a bright white uniform, sailing across the sea to distant parts of the world, meeting all kinds of people from different countries, all are part of most young boys' dreams; and getting into a naval academy is one way of realizing these dreams. In addition, academy graduates have improved chances of pursing advanced studies overseas. And if they tire of travelling, they can transfer to land duty, or find good civilian positions in the shipping industry.

After matriculating at the school, one of the first things each new class of about 200 students must do is to learn by heart the history of the naval academies. At any time a student may be asked a question about this history, and giving an incorrect answer may cost him vacation time.

Ho Chi-jen, currently a third-year student, had to memorize Chinese naval history this way, and be able to recite sections of it like this: "The Chinese navy was established in the latter part of the Ching Dynasty. After being devastated by the Sino-Japanese war, it was rebuilt after the founding of the Republic under the policy 'a strong defense requires a strong navy.' The Chinese Naval Academy was founded in 1867 at Mawei in Fukien Province. It was moved to Shanghai in 1945 with president Chiang Kai-shek as first superintendent. In 1949, the academy was moved from Shanghai to its present location, Tsoying, Taiwan."

In order to prepare students for the special conditions they will encounter aboard ship, the academy has a special set of rules and customs. For example, the school uses the bell system--one bell every half-hour up to four hours--to tell time. This accustoms students to the four-hour shift system that they will follow on board. Also, every morning the students line up at the doors of their dormitory rooms to listen to the daily orders. This exercise prepares them for the shipboard ceremony of lining up at the ship's sides when it enters or leaves a port.

If getting into the academy is difficult, making it to graduation is even harder. Each year, about 20 percent of the fresh men fail out. Students must not only follow the standard university curriculum for science and engineering students, but also acquire a general understanding of naval warfare, weapons, turbine mechanics, and so on. The four-year course load consists of 132 credits in mathematics, physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, electronics, political science, humanities, inter national relations, management, athletics, international law, shipping, and others. Says the director of the department of political science and warfare, "Modern naval equipment is mostly electronic, and new equipment comes out almost daily, so our curriculum stresses scientific and technical knowledge."

Although the workload is heavy, the study environment at the academy is very good. Per class average 20 students which ensures that the students understand the material they are studying. In addition, each dormitory room sleeps four students, one from each year. In this way the senior students can watch over and help out the underclassmen. In return the younger students must absolutely obey their older classmates.

Because naval service brings students in contact with a many foreigners, ability in a foreign language is a necessary skill. And since those students with the best foreign language ability are given priority consideration for study abroad, the study of English is pursued vigorously at the academy. The school's English program in.

During summer vacation the students take part in a three-month training pro gram. First-year students take swimming lessons: each student must be able to swim 1,000 meters in order to pass. Second-year students learn basic seamanship, which, besides constituting part of their training as sailors, also provides them with some of the basic knowledge required of officers. Third-year training consists of piloting small craft, working on board alongside sailors and officers, and taking part in naval exercises. Fourth-year training consists of piloting larger craft, undergoing officer's training, and the students' favorite--the month-long voyage abroad.

Before boarding ship, the students are given a course in international protocol. The "final exam" is a large formal party, were students have the chance to practice what they have learned--table etiquette, ballroom dancing, and so on. In this way, when the students go abroad, they will be familiar with the duties of protocol they will have to perform.

After leaving port, every student will have to cope with the inevitable seasick ness. Even experienced sailors get seasick, though usually only to a mild degree. How ever, an extended period spent on land will make them lose their "sea legs."

While on board the students work four different shifts: navigation, engine room, war tactics, and weapons. The hardest of these is the engine room shift, which entails suffering through four hours of heat and noise in the crowded engine compartment. Navigation is the most enjoyable; sometimes the head officer will even turn the ship over to a student for a while. After the first week on board, the novelty disappears and boredom starts to set in. Playing cards becomes a common retreat from the daily routine.

At every port of call, visitors are invited on board to view an exhibition on the culture, history, and recent economic development of the ROC Overseas Chinese, in addition to coming on board, often hold large parties for the ship's crew. Even though many overseas Chinese cannot speak Mandarin, the students feel right at home in their company.

Upon returning home, the students are graduated from the academy. After that, looking for a job poses no problems--but looking for a wife can be a headache. Many families are reluctant to marry their daughters to naval officers because of the long periods the men must spend at sea. In fact, however, the officers rarely spend extended periods at sea, and receive five days per month leave from duty on ship. After marriage, some officers opt for land duty in order to be close to their families. For them, balancing family and duty is the final test.

[Picture Caption]

The students planted this anchor in front of their dormitory.

(Above) The rewards that studying in the language lab bring make regular trips well worth the effort.

(Below) During their month-long voyage abroad, students have a chance to put what they've learned into practice. (photo courtesy of The Chinese Naval Academy)

Swimming is a required course.

A warship refueling at sea. (photo courtesy of The Chinese Naval Academy .)

When making calls at foreign ports, the crew invites foreigners and over seas Chinese on board for a visit. The navy bands draw large audiences when performing a broad.

（Above） The rewards that studying in the language lab bring make regular trips well worth the effort.

（Below） During their month-long voyage abroad, students have a chance to put what they've learned into practice. （photo courtesy of The Chinese Naval Academy）

Swimming is a required course.

A warship refueling at sea. （photo courtesy of The Chinese Naval Academy .）

When making calls at foreign ports, the crew invites foreigners and over seas Chinese on board for a visit. The navy bands draw large audiences when performing a broad.

The navy bands draw large audiences when performing a broad.