Evening star., 1934-06-03
ADMIRAL DEFREES
|NSPECTSRESE
Commandant Presents COL
ors to Second Fleet
Division.

week, Rear Admiral ]. r. Defrees, U.
S. NJ, commandant Of the Wash
ington Navy Yard, and In charge Of
isfaction Of the showing made.
The organizations were compelled
to 60 through their inspection details
with difficulty, owing to the cramped
conditions in the drill hall, which is
nothing more than lean-to con-
structed alongside Of brick building.
Because of this condition, the three
divisions Of the organization are COM
PEELED to drill on separate evenings
each week, and 1t Is only on such occa-
sions as the admirars inspection and
1.-The annual inspection before the Navy
Department Board that the three d.
visions are brought together. 1t is
absolutely impossible to execute battal-
ion maneuvers in the drill hall. Only
one division can use the floor at a
time, and in the meantime other divi-
sions have to go elsewhere in the
building.
Following the inspection by Admiral
Defrees a division competition was
held, with the following percentages
being received; lst Division, 1852; I'd
Division. 1855; Sd Division, 72.3. The
I'd Division, having captured the
highest score, was declared winner,
and was awarded the "colors," which
were formally presented to the division
| by Admiral Defrees. Lieut.. J. B.
Cleland, jr.. U. S. N. r.. commands
| the I'd Division, which will be known
as the Color Division" until the next
competition.
These division competitions were
started some months ago to stir up
! rivalry among the various divisions.
1t has resulted in increased interest
in the drill work, as the divisions
value the honor Of carrying the colors
in parades and other exercises.
| is centered in the coming examina-
tions of enlisted men seeking promo
ton to the next higher ratings. A
board consisting Of Lieut.. Comdr. w.
F.. Lockhart, chief engineer of the
battalion; Lieut.. (Junior Grade) H.
D. Taliaferro and Ensign J. F. Re
plogle has been appointed to examine
! the enlisted personnel. The board
will convene for its first session on
| June IL.
1t was announced at the local bat
talon that a relatively small number
Of advancements In rating have been
made during the past two years, due
| primarily to the failure Of the en-
listed personnel to complete the Bu-
reau Of Navigation training course in
, the next higher rating. This, it was
| explained. has not been due entirely
to the men, for the courses have not
in all cases been available for them.
Courses in practically every rating
now have been supplied and dis
! tributed. A number of men, it was
said, have practically completed the
courses assigned them. In addition
to this requirement, man must COM
ply with the following before he is
| eligible for advancement: Must have
served one year in present grade, two
| years for chief petty officers; must
| have performed at least IA days ac-
| tive or training duty in present grade,
must have performed a minimum of
SO drills or periods of equivalent duty
or instruction during the year imme-
diately preceding. In the case Of
chief petty officers they must have at
tended So drills each year for the pre-
ceding two years. All must pass the
required professional examination
prescribed for enlisted men of the
Navy Of similar grade.
| 1t is probable that the men who 60
up for examination this year will face
stiff marking in the answers to the
questions propounded to them by the
board. The Navy Department has
found some fault throughout the Re-
serve of the country with the high
markings on examinations of enlisted
i men, but until recently it was un-
| able to make check Of these marks
However, the Inspection Board now
| conducts recent examinations when
making inspections of the various or
ganizationS, and the markings on
these papers are compared with the
marks given the men on their promo
| ton examinations
With the limitation on personnel in
the Fleet Reserve due to appropri-
ations, it is the departments desire
that only the very best personnel be
| promoted, particularly personnel which
! can handle its ratings in time of a
national emergency if they were sent
to the fleet.
! With detailed training courses being
| supplied by the Navy Department, it
was pointed out that If the men apply
themselves whole-heartedly to the
study required there will be little diff
| Guilty in obtaining high enough marks
| to pass the examinations for promo
ton.
Joseph L. Hutchins, aviation ma
chinist'S mate, first class, Aviation
Division, having moved out of the city.
has been ordered transferred from the
Fleet to the Volunteer Reserve.
Edwin H. McDufie, seaman, second
class, has been ordered transferred
from the Volunteers to the Fleet Re
serve and assigned to the Aviation
Division.
Joseph M. Basso, apprentice seaman,
has been ordered transferred from the
Volunteer to the Fleet Reserve and as
signed to the 1st Division.
! Owing to removal from the city,
Harold w. Rusk, seaman, second class,
! lst Division, has been ordered trans
ferred from the Volunteer Reserve to
the Fleet.
Richard G. Simmons, fireman, third
class, and James M. Cathcart, jr, sea-
man, second class, have been ordered
transferred from the Volunteer to the
Fleet Reserve and assigned to the
Sd Division.
Howard K. Goodrich, seaman, Sec
ond class for radioman, 16 Arundel
avenue, Hyattsville, Md, has enlisted
| in the Naval Communication Reserve.
Oliver T. Coffin, fireman, third class,
| has re-enlisted in the Sd Fleet Divi-
sion.
Leroy D. Fox. 94l2 Ninth street north
east, has enlisted as an apprentice
seaman and has been assigned to the
Sd Fleet Division for duty.