Evening star., 1933-11-12

Plans are being formulated for In
augurating an extensive recruiting cam
paign by the 1st Battalion, United States
Naval Reserve of the District of Co
lumbia, it was announced last week.
The purpose, it was explained, is to
build up the feet unit to full strength
and to maintain a ground of trained
volunteer Reserves who will compete for
places in the feet battalion.
The requirements for enlistment IN
the Reserves it was pointed out, are
that the applicant must be citizen of
the United States; must be between the
ages of Is and % years for first enlist
ment, in case of re-enlistment the age
limit may be increased to 35 years;
must pass q physical examination; must
have papers showing his parental con-
sent. If under 81 years of age.
First enlistments are made in the rat
ings of seaman, second class, or IRE
man, third class. If the applicant has
served previously in the Regular Navy
he may be enlisted in his last rating
held in the regular establishment, upon
approval of the Navy Department.
Men are enlisted for a recruit class
which starts every three months. The
next class for the feet battalion will be
started on December / and for the avia
ton division on the same date. The
men in this class are given course OF
instruction in the fundamental require
ments of a seaman for period Of three
months. During this time, these re-
cruits are carefully observed and graded
for their qualifications for the fleet bat
talon. If they do not qualify they stay
in a volunteer status until such time as
they can qualify, or request discharge.
Those who qualify become members
of tie feet battalion, which is composed
of three divisions. Each division is
nucleus of a crew for some vessel in
time of mobilization. Drill is held in
the armory once a week from to ego
O'Clock pm, curing which time practical
and theoretical instruction is given on
subjects pertaining to the life and du-
ties of a man aboard ship. An oppor-
tunity exists for an ambitious man to
study and learn a trade as well as to
obtain advancement to petty officer or
commissioned officer In the Reserves.
Week end cruises are made by the feet
divisions on 50-foot launch when the
weather permits. These cruises are
made down the Potomac River and in
clude practical Seamanship, navigation
and swimming in warm weather. Lib
erty is usually granted at some town or
resort on the POtomac. FOurteen-Qay
training cruises are usually made on de-
stroyers once a year, with pay. These
pre- made during the Summer months
and the ship usually visits some port of
interest for liberty, as New York, BoS-
ton, or Havana
A modified target practice is fred by
the Reserve gun crews on these trips.
Not only do these feet Reserves receive
retainer pay for drill attendance but
they become an active part of the Regu-
lar Navy in their ratings in time of
mobilization.
The aviation division drills on Satur-
days and Sundays and cruises at Cape
May, N. j., each Summer. Training
consists of practical shop training in
aviation engines, carpentry, metal work
and ordnance equipment, as well as
operation, repairs and maintenance Of
eight airplanes and their equipment.
Enlisted men of the division also receive
annual training in aerial machine gun
merry, firing from planes in flight at
targets towed through the air by other
planes.
The Navy Department has authorized
the enlistment of Lloyd A. Ingram as
pharmacists mate, second class, in the
fleet Naval Reserve for assignment to