Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02
DC. NAVAL RESERVES

Examination of the attendance rec
ordS in the headquarters of the United
States Naval Reserve for the District of
Columbia, it was said, shows a conSid-
cradle falling off in the attendance Of
the units since the cruise, and it was
indicated that steps would be taken to
have the derelict men come more regu-
larry to their drills Strict record is
kept on this attendance, and in con-
sidering men for recommendation for
promotion during the annual cruises
their drill attendance record is taken
into account, as it is the desire of the
officers responsible for the efficiency of
the organization to keep in the promo
ton line only those men who show
sufficient interest in their duties to
come to their drills regularly and keep
up with the ever-advancing naval
training.
II was pointed out also that men
fortunate enough to be assigned to the
Fleet Reserve divisions are in danger Of
losing this detail and face transfer to
the Volunteer Reserve units. without
Pay and where drills are not required.
if they show continuous absences from
drill It was pointed out that the divi-
sions must be kept full most of the
time in order that the training work
Ndgl DC AIGu GI1HCttkSiy-
However, there have been indications
from the Navy Department that the
local organization is not alone in show
ing a falling off in attendance. Other
organizations throughout the country
have experienced it, but they have tried
the subterfuge Of transferring promis-
cuously men from the Volunteer to the
Fleet Reserve in order to show high
rating.
It was this practice which met with
the condemnation of the Navy Depart
nent, for a circular letter has been
sent out saying that this practice will
rot be tolerated. as only the Navy De-
partment can authorize these transfers.
Therefore, in order to correct the small
attendance evil the battalion COM
manders will have to get permission
from the department here before in
cTeasing their ranks by transfers from
the volunteers It was pointed out,
however. that this practice has not been
INDUCED in by the local Reserve.
Divisions of the local Reserve also
have fallen of in numbers, due to ex-
piration of enliStments, transfers to the
volunteers for failure to attend drills
and for other reasons, with the result
that there are vacancies in the fleet
divisions of nearly 80 men. Although
nothing has been done about the mat
ter as yet, it is probable that the local
officers soon will institute a recruiting
campaign for the purpose of filling up
the ranks, and also will seek authority
from the Navy Department to transfer
to the feet divisions eligible men from
the volunteers.
Recruits for the local Reserve are not
plentiful. as the officers have laid down
stringent rules as to the type of men
that will be taken into the Fleet Reserve
Only the highest type of young men of
the city are wanted and they must be
men who are interested and who do not
join the organization simply for the
reason of taking the annual cruises
aboard the training ship the United
States destroyer Abel P. Upshur. The
local Reserve battalion has had many
applicants for these vacancies. but
many have been refused enlistment be-
cause they could not meet the very
high requirements
1t was announced the Bureau of
Navigation of the Navy Department has
made study of the number of Seamen,
second class, for aviation duty and
their degree of qualification, to the end
that the funds for 1929 will be so allo-
Gated as to provide the advanced train
ing at the naval air station at Pensa-
cola, Fla, Of 80 seamen, second class,
and OF 81 in primary training from the
various districts, to bring about the best
average Of squadron commissioned Off
Ger strength
Appropriations have been made for
the training Of 81 privates, first class,
United States Marine Corps Reserve,
as student aviation pilots for commits
sion as second lieutenant, Marine Corps
Reserve. Selections of Marine Corps
KqcPTVa students uEill he od fao
ground schools now qualifying for sea-
men, second class, and may be made on
the merits of the student without re-
gard to his residence
The advanced flight training consists
OF go days training duty, with pay and
allowances, where the student is given
approximately 100 hours flying in ad-
vanced type Seaplanes, ground and
aerial machine-gun work, bombing ex-
~ercises and naVigational flights. Dur
ing this period the student is examined
professionally for commission as en-
sign in the volunteers, from which he
may be transferred to the fleet branch.
provided he establishes his residence in
the vicinity of Reserve aviation squad
rcn or division and that there is a
vacancy in such organization to which
he may be assigned He also must be
recommended for such assignment by
the commandant of the naval district
Strict physical requirements are laid
down. In addition to the ordinary
physical examination, all student avia-
tors, before being ordered to primary
hight training, must have passed a
flight physical examination within six
mcrthS Of the date that they report
Tor flight training. Requests for waiv-
ers Of physical defects for student avia-
tors will in no case be granted.
All student aviators must be enlisted
as seamen, second class, and remain in
that rating until they receive their
commissions as enSigns. However, stu
dents will not be enlisted until the pre-
lminary ground training is partially
completed