Learning a new life at sea and earning a naval commission

Was going to sea like joining the French Foreign Legion and starting a new life?

To an extent. A landsman had to learn a new way of life; previous experience in small boats helped, and naval advancement involved examinations, recommendations, and service.

The comparison with joining the French Foreign Legion concerns learning an entirely new way of life. A landsman faced a larger adjustment than someone raised in a coastal town and accustomed to fishing boats. The discussion then turns to advancement: a midshipman had to pass the lieutenant's examination. Further promotion depended on performance and recommendation, with sufficient service allowing a captain eventually to reach admiral. This distinguished the naval route from the army's purchase of commissions, while practical experience remained important throughout.