Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-07
District National Guard

Very isfactory-Headquarte and
Service Company, 121st Engineers,
Satisfactory - Ouartermaster Corps
Detachment, 1896; Medical Department
Detachment, 121st Engineers, 63.l5;
Company B. l2lst Engineers, $3.50.
Unsatisfactory - Battery B, 260th
Coast Artillery, 1892: Company F, 12ist
Engineers, 57.14; Company A, l2lst
gineers, 5254: Battery c, 260th Coast
Artillery, 51.85; Company c, 121st En-
gineers, 51.61; Battery A, 260th Coast
Artillery, so.
It was announced that organizations
not listed did not have a drill during
the period covered by the report.
The non commissioned officers school
of the Division Headquarters Units,
which has been in session since last
March. concluded its term with ex-
aminations last Tuesday night. All but
five of the non-commiSSicned officers of
the attachments participated in the
examinations and there also were q
large number OF privates, who are seek
ing cheWons.
Eight subjects we're covered by the
examination: Military policy of the
United States, organization of the
Army, the National Guard, courtesy and
discipline, military law, map reading,
duties of division headquarters detach-
ments and military correspondence.
The papers will be corrected and
graded by the company officers and
then submitted to Maj. E. H. Grove for
final approval. In addition to the grades
attained as result of the examinations,
1t was said, candidates will be rated by
attendance at drill and at the non-com-
missioned officers school, range qualifl-
cation and general efficiency rating.
Other factors which will be considered
are participation and support In or
Samzatlon activities other than mill
tary, extra services volunteered and
record of military service to date.
1t was pointed out also that inasmuch
as range qualification is one of the fac
tors TO be considered in the grading,
pupils who have not completed record
pistol firing are urged to do so at the
earliest practicable date. All men de-
string to complete the course should
report to Lieut.. Hammer next Tuesday
night, Immediately after drill.
The Goldbrick. service paper Of the
headquarters Detachment, will suspend
publication during July and August.
Due to complaints of residents of the
nearby Government Hotels and also to
lack of suitable accommodations for the
ever-increasing number of spectators at
the weekly boxing bouts, they will be
held in the future at the Coast Artillerv
Armory, Water and o streets southwest
Pvt. James w. Sparrow, Company A.
i2lst Engineers, has been honorably
discharged to permit him to enlist in
the United States Army.
vi
1erred from the reserve to the active
list of the Medical Detachment. I2ist
Engineers.
The War Department has found
1ault with the practice of some Guard
organizations putting off their rife
practlce until they reach field training
camps. Despite the construction and
maintenance of ranges at home sta
tons, says the Militia Bureau, under a
liberal Militia Bureau policy consid-
cradle firing is still conducted at field
training camps. It Is believed. the re-
port continues, that is can be ma
ter1ally reduced and perhaps eliminated
through greater use Of the home ranges.
It is contended by some that the
difficulty experienced in getting per-
sonnel out for practice at home station
ranges renders such practice impos-
Sible. On the other hand, satisfactory
range flr1nS at home stations is being
accomplished in number Of instances,
with resulting benefit to the troops in
their held training. The solution gen.
orally rests upon the initiative of each
unit commander. The split drill, prop
erly used, the Militia Bureau SAYS. is
one logical means toward a solution of
the problem.
Field training only should be held
during the field training period, it was
pointed out, and this work should not
be 1nterfered with by separation of
units for firing on the ranges.
The Militia Bureau says that a
number Of States are overlooking an
excellent means for creating COMPETE
ton and stimulating interest In marks
manship instruction-the national tro-
ply for excellence in craftsmanship.
Each State has in its possession one
such trophy to be awarded annually.
In 1924 the national trophy was
awarded in only 4 States, the num-
Der increasing to 10 in 1925 and drop
ping to IN 1925. Believing the re-
quirement that go per cent Of the
fore a unit is eligible to compete for
the trophy was too high, this was re-
duced in 1927 to 80 per cent This
was considered, it was said, within the
reach of all units in each State,
although subsequent results for that
year did not bear out this view, the
trophy being awarded only in 8 States
and the District of Columbia. Com
pany e, 121st Engineers, commanded
by Capt. Clarence S. Shields, captured
1t in that year.
The Militia Bureau is Of the opinion,
however, that failure to award the
trophy was not due to the 80 per cent
requirement still being too high, but
rather to a tendency to overlook the
award under stress of other training.
To correct this, the Militia Bureau sug-
gests, each State should publish an an
nual announcement of the competition
for the national trophy. requiring all
units to compete. This, it was said,
would also have the effect of encour-
againg more firing at home stations
where ranges are available. It is be-
lieved the national trophy should be
awarded at an appropriate ceremony,
which would serve to enhance It's value
and cause the other units to make
greater efforts to participate In future
awards.