• it’s the depression and jobs are scarce
• opportunity to get off the farm or the local factory jobs don't seem appealing
• get away from a bad home situation
• no money for college
• always thought the military seemed appealing
• looks like America might get into war and you’d rather choose your branch
• America was just attacked and you want to get in on the action

Once you’ve entered the service, it’s off to boot camp. This section also includes several boot camp stories. How would students feel about standing around naked in a line being examined by a line of medical personnel? How would it feel to give up your personal civilian clothing and only be allowed to wear military clothing?

In the Navy, all enlisted men, nicknamed "bluejackets" due to their uniform, received The Bluejackets’ Manual. Similar to the Bible or Boy Scout or Girl Scout handbook, this manual was the newly enlisted person’s guide to the Navy. I have included several chapters from a WWII manual to provide an idea about life in the Navy such as clothing, jobs, pay, discipline, saluting, security, the 24-hour clock, and the types of ships and planes.