Evening star., 1931-12-27
d. G.. Naval Reserve

With the approach Of the new year,
officers and men of the 1st Battalion,
United States Naval Reserve of the
District of Columbia, besides looking
ahead to the annual inspection, are
also beginning to ask questions as to
the port or ports of call for the coming
annual cruises, which again will be
taken on the destroyer Hamilton Of
the Atlantic Training Squadron
While no Official information has
been received at the local Reserve
headquarters as to the probable desti-
nation Of the Hamilton next Summer,
1t was said that the crews would like
to go some place other than Bermuda,
where they went last Summer. The
suggestion has been made that the ship
visit ports on the Southern Coast Of
the United States during the coming
Summer. They have made many
cruises to New England ports, and the
voyage to Bermuda last year was given
to relieve the routine, but the local
Reservists have not been to Southern
ports since the Eagle boat was re-
lieved here as training ship
1t Is understood that consideration Is
being given to sending the vessel to
Charleston Miami and Savannah, Ga,
and 1t was indicated that both officers
and men look favorably on this Sugges-
tion. Although the foreign cruise vas
enjoyed by all last year, it was said
that the men would like very much to
go to the Southern cities in the United
States this year. and perhaps take an
other foreign cruise the following year.
The regular Navy Inspection Board
now Is in New England conducting the
annual tests before various battalions
and divisions, and 1t Is expected that
the organization will come here before
many months. However, the local
officers have not received any word as
to the exact date. At any rate, prep
arations will begin in earnest after the
first Of the year with the idea of bring
ing the organization to a high state
Of training for the inspections Inten-
sive training in the emergency drills
will be started after January /, and
the officers will give much time to pre-
fecting themselves in working out
simple battle problems in which the
board will give the officers test this
year for the first time.
The battalion-will be given six weeks
notice prior to the date the board in
tends to inspect the organization, and
while this gives five drill nights for in
tensive work, Lieut.. Harold E. Richard
son, commanding officer Of the organi-
zation, Is desirious Of starting the train
ing before this in the hope that the
battalion will reach such a high state
Of perfection before the board arrives
that the organization will receive a
mark which will place not only the
battalion, but each of the divisions, at
the top Of the list among the other
organizations of the country when the
final comparison is made.
The organization will strive this year
to get at least one of the two trophies
donated by the Naval Reserve Officers
Association to be awarded each year
to the battalion and division, respec-
lively, which attain the highest fign e
Of merit as result of the inspections.
The organizations standing took a de-
cided jump last year, and it is the hope
to put it further toward the top this
year, even If the top is not actually
reached.
The local chapter Of the Naval Re-
serve Officers Association is making
preparations for the annual convention
Of the National body. which will be held
here some time next month. A ban
quet committee also has been appointed
TO arrange banquet for the local unit.
At the next meeting officers for the
ensuing year will be elected, and dele
gates and alternates to the National