WHITE HOUSE, _July 10, 1902_.
No enlisted person in the Navy service of the United States shall be
discharged therefrom prior to the completion of his term of enlistment,
except for one of the following causes: Undesirability, inaptitude,
physical or mental disability, or unfitness.
In every case, the recommendation for such discharge must be made by the
commanding officer of the vessel on which the man may be serving.
Applications for discharges which reach the department except through
the commanding officers of vessels shall be without exception
disregarded.