Evening star., 1935-10-27

SeINcS no uSeluI purpose, DuC ADDS TO
the responsibilities and incidental
paper work Of the battalion or division
commander. In the event that the
battalion or division commander
should desire to turn into stock any
such excess items, it was pointed out,
1t will not be necessary to obtain prior
authority from the Bureau of NaHga-
ton in order to do so.
"In order to effect an exchange Of
information and to promote better
harmony between Navy and State
/ offlcials, says letter from the chief
OF the Bureau Of Navigation, it is sug-
gested that closer liaison should be
maintained by the commandants Of
the districts with the various adj
| jutants general of States maintaining
Naval Militia organization. For the
information of the commandants. the
bureaus policy in this respect is stated
as follows:
! 'The bureau is pleased to have
Naval Reserve organizations become
members of the Naval Militias Of the
various states in accordance with ex-
isting laws governing the relationship
between the Naval Malta and the
Naval Reserve.
THE bureau is not disposed to
lend favor or encouragement to the
formation Of Naval Militia organiza
tions outside of existing organiza-
tions Of the Naval Reserve, such
Naval Militia organizations being in
excess OF any naval needs.
Each naval district should effect
as close Haion with the authorities
OF those States maintaining Naval
Militia organizations as is consistent
with maintaining intact absolute Fed
eral control of all Naval Reserve or
ganiZations.
I'm order that State authorities
may have opportunity to make such
recommendations as they may see
fit, they should be advised as to any
contemplated changes in the status
Of officers attached to Naval Reserve
organizations which are also organi-
cations Of the Naval Militia. such as
appointments, transfers, promotions
or detachment.
There should be a mutual ex-
change of information between the
| commandments of naval districts and
State authorities in regard to the
funds made available for the support
Of Naval Reserve and Naval Militia
activities in the various States having
such organizations"
As result of a study OF the
reports Of the Naval Reserve Inspec-
ton Board, the Navy Department has
made known some Of the common de-
fectS found by the inspection officers,
with a view to having the Reserve
commanders make a close check on
them prior to the next annual in
spections.
Among the things noted are:
Personnel inspection: Non-regula-
ton shoes, non-regulation under
shirts. rating badges not worn in
accordance with requirements, hats
not properly worn. watch marks not
Sewed on by machine. Many watch
marks are sewed on by hand. so
/ that they wrinkle when scrubbed,
others are attached by only a single
row Of stitching either in the middle
OF the tape or along one edge. All
give the wearer a on-seagoing ap-
pearance. Incorrect tape on cuffs,
dirty uniforms, particularly dirty tape
on watch marks; collars and cuffs,
belts with Irish pennants and verdi
/ girls or blanco on metal fittings.
Manual of arms: Lack of precision;
officers in file closers do not go through
manual with divisions; officers not
proficient in sword manual as laid
down in regulations; bayonets sticking
either in scabbard or en- rifle at fix
bayonetS."
! Infantry: Lack OF precision in
movements; guides start full step too
soon after turns, causing divisions to
/! straggle; cadence too slow or too fast.
Signals: The signal men are IN
many cases not proficient in flag se-
maphore and blinker signaling, nor
conversant with proper procedure.
Much more time should be devoted to
| lIllS SuUJSCI.
| Remarks applicable to all general
drills: Too much material at general
drills is either imaginary or repre-
sented by little pieces Of wood with
names printed on them, when many
times the exercise Of little imagi.
nation or initiative would have result
ed in either actual material or an
/ aR
ought not to be necessary to represent
a bucket Of sand by wooden billet at
fire drills. Too much noise. Men not
instructed in their duties. When gen.
eral drills are battalion evolutions.
there are usually large numbers of
officers and men unemployed and de-
irving no benefit from the drill. Drills
adversely affected by the noise Of di-
visions that are standing by or by
the chatter of civilian spectators.
Fire drill: No gunner's mates stand
ing by flood cocks. No arrangements
made for closing ports and doors in
the vicinity of fire.
Collision: No snoring party detailed
or when detailed not instructed in
duties. Men not instructed in proper
preservation of water-tight integrity.
Dogs on doors and ports not set up
properly. Not enough familiarity with
drainage systems and general damage
control duties.
Abandon ship: No muster lists;
boat officer not familiar with capacity
of boat. Boatswain's mates and cox.
swain not familiar with method Of get.
ting boats or life RATS into water:
boats overloaded. No allowance made
for weight of materials provided. No
means provided for signaling at night.