Evening star., 1933-10-15
PHYLLIS WheatIev Y W. G. A.
DC. Naval Reserve

Admiral Hugh Rodman, United States
Navy, gave an informal talk on Naval
Traditions and Customs in the Reserve
Armory in the Washington Navy Yard
last Thursday night to which all naval
Reserve officers in this area were in
vited
Following the address. there was
meeting of the Reserve Officers Associa-
ton.
1t is the purpose of Lieut.. Condr. F.
w. Benson, United States Navy, inspec-
tor-instructor of the loeal Reserve bat
talon and in charge of Reserve affairs
| here under the direction of Rear Ad-
miral H v. Butler, commandant OF the
| Washington Navy Yard, to arrange a
series of talks this Winter by outstand-
ing officers on duty in Washington, with
a view to giving to the Reserves, par
ticularly the members Of the volunteers
who are not required to attend regular
drills, an opportunity to learn some
thing about the Navy.
Comdr Benson is continuing his ef-
forts to encourage the volunteers to at
tend these meetings and to take some
interest in the Reserve. Many Of these
officers are specialists who have been
use in time Of ane mergency, and few,
If any of them, know anything about
the naval discipline or its workings.
Heretofore these officers have been
carried on the local rolls and no effort
has been made to give them any train
ing in naval procedure. 1t was pointed
out that they would have to learn such
practices If they were called into the
service and it would take them some
time to settle down in their work.
Comdr. Benson believes that this indoc-
trination should be done now, and to
that end he is trying to contact every
Reserve officer in this area. He believes
that If he can have a personal inter-
view with each officer, he can make
them see the importance of attending
lectures which are to be arranged and
that these will benefit both the indi-
vidual officer and the naval establish
ment.
While only comp raratively few Off
GERS answered the QUESTIONABLE which
he sent out in his first effort to contact
these officers and to discuss with them
the best way of bringing them together,
it was pointed out that since he sent
out his last letter number have called
, at the armory and, after discussion with
Comdr. Benson, have indicated their
interest in the proposed lectures.
The officers who received the second
letter were directed to show reasons why
their commissions in the Reserve should
not be revoked. It was a direct result
of this letter that number of the OFF
GERS called at the local armory.
It is believed that as result Of
Comdr. Benson's work that periodic
meetings will be arranged for the vol
unteer Reserve officers, and they will
be taught some of the things which
they should know in the event they are
called into service.
Unusual interest is being displayed by
the enlisted personnel in the local Re-
serve this year in the opportunity to
gain an appointment to the United
States Naval Academy from the Re-
serve. Seven enlisted men have made
application and to date II of them
have been approved by the Navy De-
| partment.
Each year 25 enlisted men are al
lowed to be appointed from the Reserve
to the academy, but up until few years
ago the department found It difficult to
get the quota filled from the Reserve
throughout the country. However. this
| year the local Reservists are almost
| filling the whole list. However, the eX-
| aminations for appointment are COM
! petitive and 1t may not be that all OF
/ the local young men will receive the ap-
pointments Although no reports have
! been received it is possible that other
Reserve units in the country may have