Evening star., 1932-09-11
D. c.. Naval Reserve

Members of the I'd Fleet Division Of
the local Reserve battalion, under COM
mand of Lieut.. John F. Moore, made
week end trip on the converted motor
launch which has been assigned to the
local unit for training purposes. The
boat was taken down the Potomac,
where the men were given instruction
in Seamanship and the operation and
handling Of boats with power.
1t is expected that considerable
training will be obtained by the divi-
sion personnel during the remainder OF
the Summer and the Fall, before eli
matte conditions make It necessary to
lay the boat up for the Winter.
The Board of Inspection Of the Navy
Department has recommended more
general application OF a procedure
found in some of the organizations,
whereby the regular Navy Inspector
instructors use Navy enlisted personnel
on recruiting and other shore duty to
aid them in the instruction of the Re-
serve. The board found, it reported,
that the majority of the inspector in
structors of feet units nave been of
considerable assistance n training the
Reserve, some giving freely Of their
time to conduct special classes, in addi-
ton to attending regularly on drill
nights
It was announced tina: a change has
been made in the detail Of inspector
instructors to utilize the services of Of
flcers stationed In closer proximity to
feet units to be inspected. This, it was
explained, should result in a consider
able saving of travel and permit more
frequent visits of inspection to be made.
The board added that it is expected
that in the ensuing year visits of in
observation-disclosures, which involve any
considerable amount of travel, will have
to be radically curtailed. In order to
better acquaint inspector instructors
with the desires of the bureau in con-
nection with their duties with the feet
Reserve, instructions for their general
guidance will be sent out In the near
future.
The naval districts which stood first
in the various factors were reported as
follows: Cruise attendance, 4th Naval
District; inspection attendance, 9Th
Naval District; general appearance, 18th
Naval District; mobilization efficiency,
18th Naval District; drills and instruc-
ton, 9Th Naval District; turnover loss
per cent Sd Naval District; average
drill attendance, 9Th Naval District.
The board had high praise for the
aviation branch of the Reserve. The
. report said that it was gratified at the
marked improvement shown in morale,
interest displayed, the organization and
degree Of skill exhibited in military fly
ing, and the high order of instruction
impaired to aviation personnel. Several
squadrons displayed considerable In
genuity in exercises and radio commu-
nication and in gunnery and bombing.
The board expressed the opinion that
the improvements were the result OF
eQuipping the Reserve squadrons with
service-type airplanes.
The instruction m 'thods for enlisted
personnel were declfa ed to have been
particularly good ano i was noted that
at each base the enlisted personnel were
actually at work connected with the
overhaul of aircraft or engines.
The inspectors reported that they
were most favorably impressed with the
maintenance of aircraft and the ma
terisl upkeep of the bases in all locali-
ties, and were pleased with the evi-
dences of cooperation from most Of the
communities In the way Of concessions,
space for hangers, etc.
The inspectors also expressed the
opinion that those officers Of the fleet
and volunteer aviation Reserve. which
available funds have permitted to be
trained, are ready for mobilization du-
ties now The board was impressed with
the high type and efficiency Of both off,
GERS and men and feels that the naval
aviation Reserve is a very efficient or
ganization. 1t added. however, that its
strength is far below the requirements
of the department and recommended
rnat strong efforts should be made to
nring 1t up to the limit of the program.
me Board of Inspection recon-
nended that letters OF commendatlon
from the Secretary Of the Navy be sent
to the following officers, commanding
organizations having the highest hnal
merit for the year in their respective
classes:
Lieut.. Comdr. H A. Sullivan, COM
manding the 10th Division, Fall River,
Mass: Lieut.. H F. Dobbs, command
ing the 1st Battalion, Atlanta, Ga;
Lieut.. S. G.. Colwell, commanding the
1st Division, Squadron VN-2RDl'
Suuantum, Mass; Lieut.. E. l.. Jonah
sen, commanding Squadron VN-10RD9
Great Lakes, Ill; Lieut.. M. r. Greer
commanding the Naval Reserve AVA
ton Base, Squantum, Mass; Lieut.
Comdr. A. S. Marley, jr., commanding
the Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Greai
Lakes, III.
1t also recommended that letters OF
ccmmendation from the chief Of the
Bureau of Navigation, Navy Depart
ment, be sent to the following officers
Lieut.. H l. Sheriff, commanding the
4th Division, Richmond, Va, the fee
division having the second highest fina
merit; Lieut.. Comdr. c. S. Leonard
commanding the goth Division, 5tf
Battalion, Bridgeport, Conn, the fee
division having the third highest fina
merritt Lieut.. Comdr. j. M. Gill com
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