Evening star., 1937-11-21
47D.C. RESERv|STS
APPLY FOR TESTS
Enlisted Men Seek Appoint
ment to United States
Naval Academy.

Battalion, United States Naval Re-
serves in the District Of Columbia,
have indicated their intention of seek
ing appointment to the United States
Naval Academy from the Reserve. ac-
cording to an announcement by 1t.
James E Sullivan, battalion COM
mander Twelve of them are sons of
regular naval officers.
II other units throughout the coun-
try have as many applicants in pro-
portion as the local battalion, it was
pointed out, the competition for the
appointments will be the greatest in
the history of the Reserve.
There are IS appointments made
each year from the Reserve However,
local officers are hopeful Congress at
the coming regular session will pass an
amendment to the Naval Reserve Act
increasing the number of appointments
to 50. They point out there is greater
possibility it will be done this year
than ever before, because the Navy
Department is pressing Congress for
more officers. The fleet now is held to
be undermanned, and with new ships
constantly being placed in commits
sion there are not enough regular OFF,
GERS to give each its full complement.
The Naval Reserve Examining Board
has been revamped. 1t now consists
Of 1t. Comdr. w. c. Lockhart, chief
engineer Of the battalion, senior mem
Der; 1t. John M. Fewell and It. c. H.
Hh1
given number Of names Of enlisted
men recommended for promotion, and
the board will sit continuously on drill
nights in an effort to complete the
examinations as rapidly as possible, 50
that those qualified will be able to get
the increased pay which promotion
would give them.
1t. Sullivan issued orders there will
not be drill for the battalion during
Thanksgiving week.
The large number of volunteer Re-
serve officers who have been attending
the lectures given by naval experts is
attributed to the fact that the Navy
Department has issued orders that they
be given credit on their service records
for any duty performed beyond that
required of them. Under the present
set-up, it was explained, Reserve off,
GERS are not required to attend any
regular drills for formations.
1t. Comdr Charles B. McVay, U. S.
n. in charge of Reserve activities un-
der the commandant of the Washing
ton Navy Yard, is now preparing for
the third lecture in this series He will
discuss the customs and traditions of
the Navy.
Ensign ]. L. Miller, who commanded
the deck platoon of the Sd Fleet Divi-
sion, has been transferred to the volun-
teer list, because of the fact that his
civilian employment has necessitated
his removal to Philadelphia.
The way to train naval reserv1stS
Is to put them on ships, the naval re-
serve inspection board has decided,
and to that extent their recommended
tions have the support of the local
battalion. The board said the placing
Of destroyers and eagle boats for the
training Of the citizen sailors has been
this has been done great improvement
has been shown in the practical
knowledge Of the seagoing installa-
tions.
The board pointed out that the di-
vision which stood first in efficiency
as a result of the inspections last
year had destroyer, and said this
contributed markedly to the result.
The local reservists who made their
greatest stride toward the top of the
list last year have been fully cognizant
Of the need for vessel, and have
been taking every possible move to
convince the Navy Department that
their efficiency would be materially
advanced by the assignment of YES
sci here. They are not particularly
anxious to have destroyer. They
would be satisfied, it was asserted,
with one Of the 100-foot patrol boats
which have been turned over to the
Navy by the Coast Guard. This type
Of vessel, it was pointed out, would be
economical to operate, would provide
large range of training, and would
permit the reservists on weekend trips
to cover q considerable distance, DOS
sibly getting as far as the Chesapeake
Bay.
In view of the fact that the Navy
Department. along with other Gov
ernment bureaus, will be forced to
c,lrtail their expenditures during the
current year, local reservists pointed
out that was another argument for
the assignment Of smaller vessel,
which would be more economical to
operate.
While q destroyer now is at the
Washington Navy Yard to remain for
several weeks to provide q place for
tho men to drill on board, it was added
this does not provide sea going train
Ing. The only time they get this is
the two weeks during the summer
months. Furthermore, it was said
the assignment Of a ship here perm
Anentay would permit the reservists
TO select the time they could use it.
The three fleet divisions are in the
annual inspection.
Despite this intensive preparation
program which has been mapped out
the divisions will use the ship for drill
purposes Is long as she remains here.
Reservtsts indicated they would like
10 have the ship return here during
the spring months, II q vessel has
not been assigned here permanently
By that time.
oddcers explained the reason the
armory is preferred during this period
y that the Board Of Inspection con-
ducts its tests there and in order to
make good marks it Is necessary for
tho men to drill with the equipment
In the building which Stimulates that
aboard ship. with some variations to
meet the conditions here. II they
dr1u with the ship equipment and
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