[Milsurplus] Shipboard machine shop

[Hubert Miller]

When we moved to Seattle many years ago, and I'm reckoning I was in 7th or 8th grade then, the 'Junior High School' had classes, for boys
of course, one semester metal shop, one semester wood shop, one semester plastic and leather craft. I found these classes wonderfully
expanding of one's interests and possibly later career and life - sustaining hobbies. I really regret that those years seem to have been the 
last of those kinds of classes in schools I later attended. Some of the classes would be hard to get by lawyers nowadays however. I recall one
day when a fellow was taking a ladle of molten aluminum out the kiln to pour into his sand mold for whatever project product he was going
to cast, except that this guy spilled the ladle of molten aluminum on the floor. That was very interesting to watch, but think about the 
results if he has splashed it on himself or someone else. I also still remember the first day of metal shop class, when the teacher described
various projects we could choose to make. The instructor said no one could cast a pistol model, because a former student had cast his own
pistol and then used it to rob a store. Besides my regrets over the loss of those skills classes, I also regret, and am still so disappointed in some
of the instructors. We boys really needed closer observation and with consequences. I recall some of the sh*t that went on, out of the 
instructor's view, like gluing someone's plastic crafts project to his desk. I confess, I might have done that. Or dripping sulfuric acid on someone's 
book. Some of those incidents seem funny now, but I recall an incident at a high school I later attended, where foolishness with sulfuric
acid resulted in a great tragedy. 

When I think back to my high school instructors, I feel a mix of grateful wonder and rage. Some were just there to pick up an undeserved 
paycheck, and probably should have instead  been pumping gas or restocking store shelves. Naturally, the math and sciences instructors 
were the real instructors, while literature and music seemed to hold the extremes of instructor ability.  Possibly also the students should
have been channeled more into different programs, like in Germany. I recall gratefully one instructor, Mr. Vukov, who introduced his 
classes to such realms as opera or the sport of fencing. I suspect few Americanos learn about such things in high school, and I consider 
myself lucky, altho as my parents were old - school, I would have been exposed to such arts anyway.  On the other hand, I recall sitting in a
class of largely C students while the instructor droned on about a Shakespeare play while students dozed or distracted each other while 
he tried in vain to elicit some response. 

When I see news items about education in other countries, or maybe talk to someone here who's getting a GED paper but can minimally
read, write, or do math, I wonder about the future of the USA. I see a classroom in China, where students are learning Chinese AND English.
While many Americans I don't think can read much more than a stop sign. Maybe my view is much too dark. 
Sorry, education in America is one of my "start buttons".
-H M