Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-06-04
TEMPORARY NAVAL
OFFICERS DISTURBED
BY HERBERT COREY

WASHINGTON, D. Give were
good enough during the war. Are
we to be good enough during the
peace?"
That question is being asked of
the authorities of the United States
navy by 2,40O Temporary officers"
1t is not directed at Secretary of the
Navy DENLY, for his record as an
enlisted man in two wars has con-
WINGED them that he will see what
they call fair play if he can. 1t is
being offered directly to the atten-
ton of the various naval bureaus,
which, in the opinion of the tenn
porary officers, always have and al
ways will run the navy, no matter
who may be the temporary secre-
tary.
Are we to be permitted to hold
our commissioned rank?" they ask.
cor are we to be pushed out because
we do not belong in the social reg
ister?"
Many will Take Examinations
When the United States went to
war and naval activities were sud-
denly expanded, about 2,4OO chief
warrant and warrant officers were
given temporary commissioned rank.
These temporary commissions are
soon to expire and their holders
must either return to their former
rank as petty officers or else re-
tire to civilian life. At the spring
examinations, however, commissions
will be granted to the 1900 men of
this class who pass with honor. 1t
is reported that about 1900 men will
take the examination. On the au-
thority of a service publication,
however, it is said that about 2,2OO
made application to take the exam
nation.
1--WE feel that we have demonstra--
ted our ability to do the work Of
the commi ssioned rank" is the ex-
pressed sentiment of the temporary
officers. I'VE likewise concede that
we should pass a proper examination
before being given commissions. But
it does seem to us that we have not
had sufficient time to prepare, for
this examination, and we believe
that we have reason to fear that the
examination will be prejudiced
one. Perhaps we are wrong, but 1t
seems to us that the Annapolis Of
ficer is antagonistic to the officer,
who reached the deck through the
hawsehole."
Believe in Their Ability. I
At the outbreak of the war about
800 warrant and chief warrant OIL
GERS of fifteen or more years, serV-
ice were made permanent l1euten-
ants by act of congress. These will
retain their commissions, of course;
The others have been examining hard
for six months and for the most part
believe themselves capable of pass
ing a fair and reasonable eXamlna-
ton. They do not suggest that they
could pass the sort of an eXamina-
ton which would be easy enough for
a graduate of Annapolis. They do be-
lieve that they can pass an eXamlna-
ton which, coupled with their actual
service, would convince any one OF
their ability to do the work of their
rank. The average term of service
of the 2,400 temporary officers is
perhaps ten to twelve years. They
have had about four years service
in the commissioned grade.
They believe that Secretary DENLY
has already aided them to some ex-
tent. Some time ago a circular was
issued by the bureu of navigation
calling attention to the shortage in
the commissioned personnel. An eff
fort was made to graduate the pres
ent class at Annapolis one year
dnedu OIL llllc III VI uCl ~ ~ ONtN0
against this shortage, which would,
of course, become more acute when
the 2,400 temporary commissions
lapsed in whole or in part. Secre-
tary DENLY refused to permit this,
however.
Complain of Snobbishness.
"Now we are told by circular" say
the temporary officers, that we
must make a signed statement on
taking the examination whether we
will consent to drop back to chief
warrant or warrant rank in the
event of our failing to pass the ex-
animation. There are about 600 va
icancies in these grades, and we feel
that those of us who agree to this
demotion in advance may make up
their minds in advance that the de-
motion will be made"
They do not complain Of this par
ticularly, on the fairly sound ground
that an officer who agrees to relin-
quish his rank as officer and drop
to lower grade by that fact be-
trays either consciousness of I'M
fitness for commissioned rank or
lack of ambition which might well
bar him from the higher grade. Their
plant is that they have found
a certain snobbishness on the
part Of some of the Annapolis grad
yates toward the eX-enlisted man.
eff we were good enough during
the war we should be good enough
now" they say.
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