Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-23

With the season for the annual
training cruises aboard the destroyer
Abel p. Upshur, assigned here as a
training ship, the officers and men of
the 1st Battalion, United States Naval
Reserve of the District of Columbia,
under the command of Lieut.. Samuel
w. StinemetZ, began last week to take
their weekly drills aboard that vessel.
While preparing for the cruises, at the
same time they are perfecting their
training for the annual inspection
board, composed OF Regular naval Of
ficers from the Navy Department, to
determine the progress in their train
ing since the last inspection.
The officers are making every effort
Ca show an unusual improvement this
year, and are following the sugges-
tons made by Lieut.. Comdr. r. s..
Field. inspector-instructor of the local
battalion and commander of the Up
shur, and detail of other officers,
who put the organization through a
rehearsal inspection several weeks ago.
This was done for the purpose of find
ing any defects and to acquaint the
officers and men with them so that
steps could be taken to correct them
before the board arrives on the scene.
The organization will have only a
few drill nights aboard the Upshur
leave in a short time for the Norfolk
Navy Yard for her annual drydocking
and overhaul preparatory to taking her
place this Summer with the Atlantic
Scouting Fleet destroyers, with mem
bers of the local and Baltimore, Md,
Reserves aboard While the force of
shipkeepers regularly assigned to the
vessel have done considerable work.
particularly on machinery, which will
lessen the amount which the navy yard
civilian force will be called upon to do,
it is probable that the vessel will re-
main at the yard about month, re-
turning here just prior to beginning the
annual cruises.
1t is probable, however, that she will
be here for the annual inspections so
that the board will be able to test the
training of the local officers and men in
answering emergency drill calls on the
ship, such as fire, abandon ship and
battle quarters. While this is drilled
into them constantly in the class room
instruction during the Winter months,
It was pointed out that it is the prac-
tical training aboard the vessel which
counts and helps them to make better
showing to the regular officers during
the rigid tests which they are required
to pass through.
It is not probable that a new COM
mander of the organization will be
named until after the annual inspec-
tions. Lieut. Comdr. Finney Bascom
Smith, who brought the local Reserve to
its present high state of training, has
left the city, which made 1t necessary
for him to reliuquish the command. But
his work is being carried on without
change by Lieut.. Stinemetz, who is act
ing in command, by reason of seniority.
He was formerly executive officer of the
battalion. Lieut.. Harold Richardson,
commander of the first feet division,
is next in rank, and the duties of execu-
tive officer have developed upon him,
in addition to his division duties, as it
has been decided not to make any
proximity Of the annual inspection
period.
The Bureau of Navigation reports
that the establishment of satisfactory
standards of petty officers rates has
been attempted in the Reserve. To
bring this about, close scrutiny has
been given to drill attendance and
cruise reports. The marks assigned
thereon showing the manner in which
training duty has been performed have
been given weight by the bureau In the
selection of men for chief petty officer
rates.
Reports of examinations, in accord
ance with the provision of the Bureau
Of Navigation manual, have been re-
quired. These examinations, it was
said, are identical with those Of ths
regular service and are required for the
advancement in rate of all enlisted per-
sonnet Preferential treatment, in ac-
cordance with Navy practice, has been
accorded continuouS-Seryice men Of the
Reserve as distinguished from broken
service men, with beneficial results
Long and meritorious service in chief
petty oflcer rates has been recognized