Evening star., 1936-03-01
Passage of New Reserve r.
Measure Held Doubtful
Bill Would Increase Government Bureaus
Here at Time When Reduction
Is Sought.

I'm providing new legislation, it is
recommended that the basic features
Of the act of 1925 be retained and that
the act be modified or supplemented
only in those respects which experience
has shown to be desirable"
Lieut.. w. B. Armstrong, U. s. N. R.,
has reported at the local battalion
for duty and has been assigned
as instructor Of the various electrical
classes. He is one of the electrical
experts attached to the Bureau Of En-
gineering, Navy Department. and local
officers have expressed themselves as
being very fortunate in having an OH
Ger Of Lieut.. Armstrong; experience as
instructor of the enlisted personnel.
Fleet divisions comprising the LIST
Battalion here were put through a
formal inspection last week, which
closely paralleled the annual inspecI
ton as prescribed by the Naval Reserve
Inspection Board. An inspection party
headed by Lieut.. Comdr Mark H.
Crouter, NJ S. NJ, officer in charge of
Naval Reserve affairs in this area, care
fully inspected each division, paying
particular attention to the general ap-
pearance of the individual men and
their military bearing. Each division
was also required to perform manual
Of arms drill with the various officers
nf tho lixyicinpc foLiy,n nh
In view of the short drill period,
which lasted only an hour and half,
the divisions were examined in other
drills called for by the inspection board
was given an infantry drill. The Sec
ond Fleet Division was assigned the
battle problem. This drill, officers say,
is one of the most important phases of
Reserve training as it stimulates actual
battle practice. One portion of the
drill hall assigned to Naval Reserve use
is fitted out as the forward deck of a
destroyer with dummy guns, bridge
and a fire control station. AS much Of
the equipment as is carried on regu-
lar destroyer of the line is duplicated
for the training of the men.
The Sd Fleet Division was required
to carry out a fire drill. In this drill
each man is assigned fire station to
which he reports with all the neces-
sary gear and fire fighting equipment.
The I'd Fleet Division performed the
collision drill, with each reporting to
his station with the prescribed gear.
A collision mat is also used in this
drill. The 1st Fleet Division carried
out the abandon ship drill. In this
drill the men are required to fall in
abreast of their designated life boats
as marked out on the deck of the
drill hall with articles of equipment
such as water food, life belts. naviga-
tional instruments. fire arms and
other essential gear.
After these various drills were ex-
ecuted, the divisions reported for class
room instruction and received exam
ination in first aid by the battalion
medical officer. Various rated men
were examined in knotting and splic-
ing. The electricians, machinists and
water tenders were given lectures in
their ratings. Selected petty officers
were given examinations by Comdr.
Crouter to determine their proficiency
in their respective ratings. These
petty officer examinations are most
important as the inspection board has
instituted the policy of selecting GER
tain men from the ranks and giving
them written tests in their special
line. and the mark received by this
individual determines the mark for
the whole group, and either raises or
lowers the total battalion mark.
This preliminary inspection marks
the third in a series being held by
the Washington battalion in prepara-
ton for the annual inspection which
is to be conducted by the Regular oftl-
GERS on April 49, The three divisions
of the battalion are working at a high
pitch to polish off their drills and in
structions so as to appear at the best
advantage possible before the 1nspec-
ton Board After each practice in
spection, the division officers are given
reports on their respective divisions
directing attention to items which
need improving. Individual men are
also listed in these reports.
Following these practice inspections
the officers of the division are required
to work on mooring board problems
and also navigational problems.