Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-10
y. c.. Naval Reserve

battalion is conducting each drill night
examinations of enlisted men who have
been recommended for promotion to the
next higher ratings. A number OF men
are awaiting call before the board and
It is expected that many Of them will
be successful in passing the required
tests and viii have one of the cherished
crows" on their arms before the next
cruise period arrives.
Recommendations have been made to
the Navy Department by board of reg
ular naval officers that certain steps be
taken by the department to improve the
efficiency of the Reserve as whole.
Among these are the following:
That all Reserve officers take cor
respondence course.
That steps be taken to give the naval
Reservist more balanced training, in
spectionS having shown to the board
that the majority of the divisions have
made but little progress in naval knowl-
edge but are well advanced in the strict
ly military side Of their training.
That division commanders lacking
the assistance of State-paid employe
or of a shipkeeper be allowed the serv-
ices of Reservist on active duty for the
purpose of assisting in paper work and
other duties in connection with the
organization and training of the Naval
| Reserve.
That necessary changes in Naval Re-
serve regulations be made that will per-
NIT the enlistment in petty off1cer rat
ingS of men whose previous experience
or civil occupation justified such action,
even though limitation of funds would
require reduction in the size of divi-
| Sions.
That, owing to the present excessive
| turnover, and large number of recruits
| whose education and civil occupation
do not aid them in learning duties that
| would be required upon mobilizatio
consideration be given to developing
some plan for cruising ReserviSts which
would be more productive Of results
| than the present system. If turnover
were materially reduced and divisions
were composed of more skilled type
of individual, the board would be less
inclined to recommend change.
That headquarters divisions be abol-
| ished.
That two-division battalions be dis
continued as battalions.
That no units be part of q battalion
unless those units are in the same city.
For those divisions, the majority of
whose men cannot cruise during the
Summer months, facilities shall be pro-
vided for cruising during other months
Of the year.
That all divisions of battalion cruise
| on the same class of vessel.
That aviation headquarters divisions
be abolished.
That where there are but two divi-
sions in an air squadron, the senior
division commander also be the squad
| ron commander.
That aviation divisions be filled to
their peace-time allowed strength before
additional divisions are organized in a
given locality.
Commenting on the recommendation
that all officers be required to take
correspondence course, the Bureau of
Navigation said at the present time it
| conducts such course IN navigation
Accounts has one for supply officers.
| is hoped to extend correspondence
courses to other professional subjects.
However, it was said that suf1cient
clerical assistance is not as yet avail
able for this purpose. The basic law
governing the Naval Reserve does not
appear to contemplate compulsory train
ing other than that prescribed for the
feet class, consisting of Is days of
training duty and the specified weekly
| drills. The correspondence courses
mentioned above are open to all oflcers
and an increasing number of officers
Is said TO be enrolling in them. How
/ ever, the bureau expressed the belief
that 1t was contrary to the spirit II not
| to the letter of the law to compel off,
| GERS to take these courses In order to
retain their standing in the Naval
Reserve.