Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-03

Detailed regulations governing the
physical tests to which officers of the
navy below the rank of rear admiral are
to be subjected annually we're promui-
sated by Secretary NcWberry yesterday.
The prescribed tests are intended to be
practically the same as those which now
prevail in the army. and it is declared are
to be given Ito cultivate and inculcate the
habit of frequent daily exercises on the
part of the officers Of the navy in order
to maintain physical condition that will
conduce to the highest service efficiency
and enable them to be always fitted for
the maximum service that they may be
called upon to perform.
The physical test is to begin after the
1st of July Officers below the rank OF
lieutenant commander If on sea duty. are
to be examined physically once a year,
but officers below that rank on duty on
shore are to be subjected to the prescrib
ed tests. That test is to consist of a walk
of fifty miles during three consecutive
days. a ride on horseback a distance OF
ninety miles in the same period, or a
bicycle ride Of leo miles within three days.
Details of the Order.
The order I'm detail follows:
To cultivate and inculcate the hablt OF
frequent daily exercise on the part of Of
f1cers of the navy,n order to maintain
physical condition that will conduce to
the highest service efficiency and enable
them to be always fitted for the maximum
service that they may be called upon to
perform, the President of the United
States has directed that all officers on
the active list below the rank of rea, ad-
miral and above the rank of lieutenant
shall undergo a physical test under such
rules as the department shall prescribe.
Officers ranking below lieutenant com
mander if on duty afoat, shall be eX-
amined physically once each calendar
year: but this examination may bc omit
ted If some time during the preceding
twelve months the officer shall have been
examined for promotion.
Officers on Duty Ashore.
officers ranking below lieutenant COM
nlander, if OH duty on shore, shall take
the same physical test prescribed by
these rules for officers above the rank OF
lieutenant.
Beginning January /, 1909, the physical
tests shall he made once each calendar
year with an interval not greater than
eighteen months between tests. No offl-
Ger shall be required TO take the test be-
fore July l. 1869, except at his own re-
quest, nor shall officers retiring from age
be required to take tine test within two
years of the date of retirement.
1t devolves upon the flag officer afloat,
upon commanding officers of vessels act
ing singly and upon officers in command
of navy yards and stations to see that
the officers under their commands are
given opportunity TO prepare Tor and to
take the tests required and they Will order
the board of medical examiners called for.
Must Signify Readiness.
1t devoIves upon the officers required
to have physical tests to signify their
readiness and 10 request permission TO
take them when they are ready and an
opportunity 10 do SO occurs.
If, through the eXigencieS of the service,
it Is impIacticable for any officer or group
Of officers to take the test prescribed,
which question will be determined by the
commander-in-chiefo or the commander of
station or vessels acting singly, the fact
will be reported to the department with
an explanation as to the reason why TAX
ing the test is impracticable.
Officers on detached duty, such as the
lighthouse establishment. bureau OF fish
cries, inspection duty under the various
bureaus of the department. recruiting
duty. etc, will apply to the department
Through the bureau of navieation) for
permission to take the test required. The
department will order the board OF med
ical officers required for the physical
examination before and after the test.
Report to Department.
All officers. after taking the test. vii,
report to the department Through the
bureau OF naviEation) the test taken, but
this report will be independent of and
in addition TO the report Of the physical
examination of the officer by the medical
board.
The statement OF an officer who may
be transferred from one station or duty
to another that he has taken the test
required during the calendar year will
be sufficient to excuse him from further
test during the year at his new station
or duty.
An officer who has been promote ed Will
no. he required TO take the physical test
during the calendar year in which the
promotion has taken place.
All officers before taking the physical
test VII be examined by board of med
icai officers to determine whether the
test may be taken without danger to the
officer: Immediately after the completion
OF the test or within three hours thereof
the same board OF medical officers. if
practica BILE, will examine the officer TO
see what may have been the result