Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
D. c.. Naval Reserve

the 18th Division, Sd Battalion, Os-
wego, N. Y, the division having the
second highest final merit; Lieut.. w.
G. Wroe, commanding the LIST Division,
1st Battalion, Atlanta, Ga, the division
having the third highest final merit;
Lieut.. Comdr. c. s. Leonard, command
ing the goth Division, 5th battalion,
Bridgeport, Conn, the divisioil having
the fourth highest final merit; Ensign
H. T. Doughty, commanding the Attn
Division, 18th Battalion, st. Paul, Mimi,
the division having the fifth final
merit; Lieut.. Comdr. II. r. Harris, COM
manding the 18th Battalion, st. Paul,
Mimi. the battalion having the second
highest final merit, and Lieut.. Comdr.
F.. B. Connell, commanding Squadron
VN-14RD12, Oakland, Calf, the
squadron having the second highest
final merit.
During the year the board reported
il inspected 148 fleet divisions, "a head
quarters divisions, 20 aviation divisions
and 10 aviation headquarters divisions,
visiting 81 cities while doing so.
No change this year was made in the
factors making up the multiple 1ol
Fleet Divisions, the board reported
These, it was explained, consist OF two
categories, one dealing with perform
ances during the year and the other
with the performance OF the unit or
inspection night. Factors under the
first category, with their weights are
Number cruising as unit, 10; turnover
the second category are: Inspection
attendance, s.; general appearance, 10;
drills and instruction, Is; mobillzauor
efficiency, rs.
The factors considered in marking
aviation squadrons, with their weights
are: Inspection attendance, 5; general
appearance, Is; flying efficiency, in
Guiding to some extent proficiency IN
radio communications, gunnery and
bombing. 80; instruction, 80; average
drill attendance, 20. 1t was not con-
sidered proper, the board reported, To
consider maintenance and upkeep OF
material as factor in the relative Ell
cheney of squadrons, since this factor
Is the direct responsibility Of the base
commanders. However, q mark was as
signed to each Naval Reserve aviation
base. This mark is a combination OF
marks assigned to the upkeep and clean
illness of aircraft, maintenance, upkeep
and general appearance OF the base and
the general appearance OF the base per-
sonnet.
This year the standings were based
on the squadron performance. In the
cases of separate divisions, Philadelphia,
Anacostia, Hampton Roads and St
Louis. standings have been based on
marks of the single divisions in the
same manner as if they were squadrons.
The board was of the opinion that
the Naval Reserve Fleet Divisions have
continued the general improvement
noted last year. The military drills re-
main about the same. Greater progress
has been made in Institutional methods
and imparting naval knowledge. AS
found last year. the board said, those
divisions which have been able to enlist
the interest and support OF the COM
munity were above the average in eff
cheney and morale. The most notable
nav Divisions, both of which have
shown outstanding improvement, the
board reported to the Navy Depart
ment.
The board reiterated its belief that
a very important part Of the division
officers duties is to place his organiza-
ton before the local public in IA
vorable light in order to acquire the
interest and support Of the community:
this will, in turn, develop pride and and
spirit in the Reserves, increase drill
and cruise attendance and attract a
higher quality Of personnel to the or
ganiZation.
The present plan of assigning de-
stroyer training squadron to the East
Coast for week end cruises. it Is be-
lieved. will prove very beneficial. The
other smaller vessels assigned to the
Naval Reserve unit are reported gener-
ally in very good condition. The eagle
boats, SO assigned, the board commented,
are considered excellent training YES
sells for week end cruises in that they
give training to the engineer forces that
cannot be had on sub chasers and motor
launches.