A father's role in bringing up his children, especially his boys, included guiding and supporting them in their choice of career. The army and the navy were considered respectable career paths for sons of the gentry and upper middle classes, as well as younger sons of the aristocracy. This career path was seen as even more desirable if the boy's father himself had been an officer. Nelson felt that the close relations of ‘brother officers’ were a boon to the service and these boys were looked on as ‘children of the service’, and as such were greatly esteemed and valued. The networks of patronage, friendship and support that men built and developed during their own service were passed on and further cultivated for their sons. Whilst many of these relationships were official and built on obligation, duty and responsibility, many also stemmed from friendship and familial sentiments – and indeed these cannot always be easily separated. As we have already seen with Broke, many captains assumed a paternal role with their young charges. Older students, young officers and teachers were called on by families to support and guide young boys at the beginning of their careers. Extended family members were expected to nurture and take in boys who were absent from home, whilst friends and acquaintances also fulfilled familial roles for these adolescent boys as they forged a place in their chosen profession and the world. Correspondence was vital to this process and letters formed an important part of these networks of support, creating familiarity and helping to strengthen and maintain bonds and reinforce shared values.