Evening star., 1936-12-06
Naval Reserve Units Here.
acing Stiff Inspection
Tests to Determine Division to Carry
Battalion Colors in Inaugural
Parade
Parade.

NE Of the stiffest inspections
which has ever confronted
the 1st Battalion, United
States Naval Reserves, in the
District will face that organization
during the latter part Of this month,
according to Lieut.. James e. Sullivan,
commander. 1t Is even predicted that
1t will be more searching than tests
conducted annually by the naval in
spection board, which goes through
all Of its tests during couple Of hours
on one evening. The inspection
planned will be held December Is
and 20.
hile the tests are planned to
select the best of the three divisions
in all branches Of naval activity, it will
be for the purpose of determining what
organization will have the honor Of
carrying the regimental colors and
standard during the inaugural parade
which Is expected to be held in
January. The honor Of carrying the
colors is much sought after by each
division and there is keen rivalry
among the three contingents for this
signal honor, more so this year than
since the plan was established, be-
cause of the fact that it is inaugural
year.
In addition to indicating to the
inspecting officers what division is the
best here, it will serve to bring out
any defects. Special attention will be
called to any of these, If found, with
view to having the division or divi-
sions showing them making a special
effort to correct them before the time
the inspecting officers arrive shortly
after the first Of the new year.
The officers and men Of the staff
and divisions will be marked in the
same strict manner that they are by
the regular naval officers, who also
make inspections Of the Reserve units
throughout the country and establish
a figure of merit for each organization
as the basis of making certain awards
and letters of commendation by the
Navy Department at the conclusion of
the inspection year.
The I'd and Sd Fleet Divisions on
December is will be put through a
general quarters drill and battle
problem, Stimulating actual battle con.
ditions as far as it is possible under
conditions in the inadequate armory
here. The same night the 1st Fleet Di-
vision will have fire. collision and
abandon-ship drill and knotting and
splicing. The engineering force will be
required to participate in practical
work in the engine room in the base
ment of the armory. The enlisted
men, both petty officers and nom
rated men, will be required to take a
written examination. Thirty men
will be selected, and the examinations
will be based on assignments which
they have covered in the Bureau OF
Navigation training courses, which are
taught in the schools operated in
connection with the battalion armory
training. The quartermaster gang
and signalmen will be put through
series of blinker and flag hoist drills.
Certain officers will be selected at
random to participate in navigation
problems and mooring board tests. AL
though no regular drill is scheduled
for Christmas week, the organiza-
ton will not get relief for the holi-
days. They have been called to as
semble on the night Of December 20
for the second part of the inspection.
Every officer and man will be required
to attend this drill, as a personnel in
spection will be conducted and tests
for all three divisions will be held in
infantry drill. The lst Division then
will be given its battle and general