Evening star., 1934-02-18
NAVAL RESERV|ST
CRUISE DATES SET
Local Divisions to Train on
Destroyers Badger and
Babbitt.

The three fleet divisions composing
the 1st Battalion, United States Ma
val Reserves of the Distpict of Co
lumbia will cruise at the same time
this coming Summer, according to
tentative plans announced by the Bu-
reau of Operations, Navy Department.
The local reservistS will board two de-
stroyers here, and will proceed TO sea
for training, upon completion of which
they will be set ashore at Philadel-
pkia to return here by train.
The tentative dates are from August
25 to September 7. Two of the di-
visions will cruise aboard the U. S.
destroyer Badger and one aboard the
destroyer Babbitt. AS the notice has
Just been received by local Reserve
Headquarters, it was said that it has
not been decided how the divisions
will be placed on the ships. However,
the Babbitt after taking aboard one
division here, will proceed to Rich
mond to take aboard a Reserve dl-
vision in that city for the cruise.
The plans just made are dependent
upon the vessels being free for Re-
serve cruising at that time. Last year,
after elaborate plans We're made for
cruising all of the divisions in the
East, and even while few of them
were at sea, it was necessary to aban-
don the cruises because of the Cuban
troubles necessitating the presence OF
the ships there.
The local reservists heard this news
with much pleasure as they have not
been to sea for two years, and would
like very much to have their sea
training Two years ago the cruises
were suspended as an economy move,
and last year, as pointed out, they
were halted after the start because
OF the troubles in Cuba.
Owing to the fact that the plans
are tentative, the notice received here
does not give any information as to
the proposed itinerary, but they prob
ably will cruise in the Atlantic Ocean
IN the vicinity of New York, and
probably will 80 in there Tor the mid
cruise liberty
Further good news was received by
the local reServistS during the week
In the announcement that the U. S.
destroyer Ellis, flagship of Destroyer
Squadron 10, which arrived at the
washington Navy Yard during the
week, will remain here until at least
March for the purpose of training
Reserves of the local battalion While
the ship will not take the reservists
ON any cruises, she will be available
on drill nights for the use of the Off
GERS and men for drill purposes. They
will be able to familiarize themselves
again with the various battle stations
and other duties on the ship, which
will better fit them for duty when
they go out on the annual cruise next
Summer.
The squadron commander is Capt.
r. A. White, who was member of
the Reserve Inspection Board for sew
eral years and who also was an OBJ
server al the annual inspection Of
the Reserve here, which was held last
Monday night. The vessel is COM
manded by Lieut.. Comdr. c. A. Grif-
fifth, who also attended the local in
spection.
It is the hope of the local reservists
that the vessel will be permitted to
remain here as long as possible, so
that they may get in lot of training
work aboard ship. They have not had
any since the destroyer Hamilton of
the Atlantic Training Squadron was
Withdrawn more than a year ago to
go to the West Coast, and suose-
quently to Cuba for duty.
Practically all of the training which
the local reservists have had during
this period has been on makeshift ap-
paratuS in the armory. However,
they have simulated shipboard condi-
tons there as much as possible by
building a bridge, fire control system,
and installing signal apparatus.
In addition to this large machine
shop has been installed, and the eel
lar OF the armory has been renovated.
A small boiler is being set up there,
and there are communication systems
between the bridge and the cellar,
which is being fitted up as a fire en-
gine room. With these installations,
It is expected that the reservistS will
be able TO obtain better training than
at any time before.
The local battalion was put through
its annual inspection last Monday
night before a board composed of
- ..
Comdr. o. o. KeSSing and Lieut.. S. S,
Bunting, also of the regular establish
ment, on duty at the Navy Depart
ment.
While the tests we're stringent in
every detail, the board completed its
work on considerably less time than
has been the practice in the past.
Instead Of putting each division
through every detail of the inspection,
the units were taken for various
phases of the inspection. For in
stance, one division put on the fire
control and battle problem. another
was required to put on the Infantry
drill, and another showed its knowl-
edge of Seamanship. The board ap
parently was of the opinion that the
results Of the training could be shown
by having each division take some
different phase of the work.
This system also was followed in
the written examinations. Instead of
giving an examination to each petty
officer, certain men were selected and
on their marks depended the ultimate
mark given the entire division for its
training.
Subsequent to the inspection, it was
said that members of the board had
said that the battalion had shown
considerable improvement over last
year At that time they received such
an unfavorable report that there was
o shake-up in the officer personnel,
and the new personnel has been work
ing hard during the year to build up
a battalion with a high standard of
efficiency. OF course, the ultimate
result will not be known for several
weeks, after the board has met and
the various members have checked the
notes which they made at the time
of the inspection.
In addition to the officers men
toned, there also were at the inSpec-
ton as observers Capt. j. A. Scho-
field on duty at the Navy Depart
ment and formerly in command of the
local battalion, and Lieut.. A. L. Pleas
ant, aid to Capt. White, as well as a