Evening star., 1935-03-17

baCLauOn mere Will De gwen
their first taste Of battleship
training this year, and, 1t was
learned last week, it will be
foreign cruise. 1t also has been def
nitely determined that they will take
their annual training course at sea
on the battleship Wyoming of the
Atlantic training squadron, and the
tentative date has been fixed at Sep
tember 7 to begin the cruise.
Although 1t has not been decided
Just which Of two ports they will visit,
it was said that it will be either Hall
fax or the Bermuda Islands. How
ever, in view Of the fact that the time
has been set in September, it is con-
sidered more than likely that the bat
tleship will go to Bermuda waters,
where liberty will be given at Hanlil-
ton.
Both officers and men are looking
forward to the coming training cruise
with considerable interest, as 1t Is the
first time that the majority of them
will have had the opportunity to go
on battleShip. Some of the veter-
ans of the World War have seen this
duty, as have some of the enlisted
personnel who have taken advantage
Of the special non-pay training
cruises offered from time to time by
the Navy Department to the Re-
ServistS.
Ever since the feet training di-
visions were organized since the
World War the ReServists have taken
their training by individual divisions
on various types of ships, mostly
Eagle boats and destroyers. One di-
vision at a time has been sent out
from this area. However, under the
present plans, the entire battalion will
be taken out at one time this year on
the battleShip. Prior TO the World
War 1t was the general practice to
take the local naval militia battalion,
which then consisted of four divisions,
on a battleship at the same time. and
they made several cruises to foreign
ports.
While under the present plan Of
organization, it was said, each d.
vision forms the nucleus of a de-
stroyer crew, it is considered that they
have had considerable training at
this duty and they should be broad
ened out into battleship sailors, so
that during an expansion which
would necessarily follow any troubles
necessitating calling the Reserve into
service it might be necessary to send
some Of the ReServistS to battleship
duty. 1t is considered, it was pointed
out. that now is the time to train
them so that they will have full |
knowledge Of battlesi1ip duties should
they be called upon for active duty
aboard any Of them.
When the local reservistS go aboard
the Wyoming for duty. they will have
friend aboard in the person of Lieut..
Comdr. F. w. Benson. Comdr Ben
son, for several years, has been in
spector instructor of the local bat
talon. and orders recently announced
direct him to report to that ship for
duty as gunnery ofhcer.
During the annual cruise, the local
reservists will be required to fire their
annual target practice, and the train
ing they have received for this duty
was received largely under the general
direction Of the inspector
AS gunnery officer. he also will direct
the target firing Of the local men.
During Comdr. Benson's tour Of
duty here the reserve has been
thoroughly reorganiZed as to COM
missioned personnel. and its present
high state Of efficiency is attributed
by the reservists to the instructions
and guidance which he has given
them. Not only has he looked after
the training Of the feet reservistS, !
but he has assembled the volunteer
reserve officers at regular intervals
for periods Of instruction and lectures,
thus providing means for these off,
GERS to become indoctrinated. He also
has provided tours Of inspection for
them at various times to the Nays
facilities in and around Washington,
including the Washington Navy Yard,
Annapolis. the Naval Research Lab
oratory at Bellevue, D. c., and the
naval powder factory at Indian Head,
Md.
There were many expressions Of
regret at his leaving the local bat
talon, to which he has given so much
aid.
There is considerable interest being
stirred up among the feet divisions
at this time in the competition for
the award Of the Admirals Cup. This
trophy was donated to the reserve on
Navy day by certain reserve officers
who are employed in the United
States Shipping Board 1t was
formally presented on behalf of these
Assistant Secretary of the Navy De-
partment. The cup now is On dis
play at the Armory.
Lieut.. Sullivan, battalion COM
mander, said that 1t will be awarded
shortly after May ! to the feet d-
vision having the best drill attend
ance for the Armory drill year which
ends on May /. The selection will be
made on the basis of the drill figures,
which will be computed on a group
Of officers. headed by Lieut.. Sullivan.
and of which the three division COM
manders are members.
At the same time the Shipping
Board employees provided three gold
medals, one to be awarded to an en-
listed man in each division. The men
selected will be designated the most
valuable men in the division, and the
selection will be made on the basis
of drills, drill attendance, progress
made in the educational courses,
knowledge of the duties of their
ratings, ability as leaders and the
general value of the man to the d1-