Evening star., 1937-01-24

OF Columbia, was announced
last week by Lieut.. James z. Sullivan,
commander Of the local division, as
the winner in the competition for the
best all-around division In the local
battalion for the past six months. The
division is commanded by Lieut.. F. s.
Kirk.
Lieut.. Sullivan pointed out that
while the final marks of the three
divisions were close, the winning di-
vision was definitely out ahead of all
the others. As q result OF the flnd-
ings of the inspectors, the division will
be awarded the honor Of carrying the
battalion colors for the next six
months. It had been hoped that the
division could parade its superiority
to the people Of Washington during
the inaugural parade. but the deci-
sion Of the inaugural authorities to
bar the local units for the parade
definitely halted this.
The award was made as a result Of
two inspections conducted during the
holiday period by officers of the
Regular Navy and Lieut.. Sullivan.
The three divisions were put through
the same stringent tests that they
face each year before an inspection
board composed of regular officers from
the Navy Department. AS matter Of
fact the December tests served as
preliminary examination for the big
one which will be held in April, and
faults found at that time will be
called to the attention Of the division
commanders so that they can take
immediate steps to have them cor
rected prior to April. At that time,
Lieut.. Sullivan hopes to have his bat
talon in such fine condition that the
inspection will not be able to find
anything wrong. They hope to win
one or both OF the trophies awarded
each year to the battalion and divi-
SION, respectively, which have the
highest figure OF merit as shown by
the result OF the inspections.
Lieut.. Sullivan reported. that the
winning division at the present time
Is the holder Of the Admirals Cup for
superior drill attendance for last year,
ing the other divisions in attendance.
1t was high mobilization efficiency and
low turnover which put the division
on top, according to the battalion
commander.
While the divisions are at high
state Of efficiency now, it was ex-
planned, they will not be allowed to
Iop ha tv-of fy.fy
now will be quite intensive to prepare
them to meet the regular officers from
the department. There is only about
a week in drill nights between now
and the time at present scheduled for
the inspectors to arrive, and every
moment will be made to count in the
program to put the local divisions and
battalion out ahead of the other units
throughout the country.
In addition to the usual training
and classroom instruction, it is prob
able that a couple of nights just prior
to the inspection will be devoted to an
other check-up Of the divisions to
ascertain whether they have made cor
rections in any faults found in the
December tests. Lieut.. Sullivan indi-
Gated that he did not want to leave
anything left undone. and the way to
keep the personnel on its toes would
be to have constant tests and checks
until the time set for the inspection.
During the interim the divisions,
good weather permitting, will have the
opportunity to get practical instruc-
ton in their naval duties aboard the
U. S. destroyer Leary, which is at the
Washington Navy Yard for their use
as a drill ship. However, it will not
be here during the inspection, and the
usual emergency tests will have to
be made with makeshift apparatus in
the armory, which Stimulates shipboard
conditions so far as it is practicable.
The lst Fleet Division started its
drill training on the Leary last week
with emergency drills, such as fire,
collision, abandon ship and general
quarters. The program also included
q man-overboard drill. with the crew
actually lowering the lifeboat SO as to
familiari1e themselves with all the
details. 1t was pointed out that much
more progress may be made in the
instruction under actual conditions
than by hours spent in class room.
The recruit school also will hold its
drills regularly on the Leary until
further notice, according to Lieut..
Sullivan.
While the Reservists contend that
the ship came to Washington at a
bad time, because Of the possibility of
inclement weather which will pre-
vent full use as q drill ship. they
are working in the hope that by the
time Of the 1888 inspections they will
have a destroyer or other vessel as
signed here for their exclusive use.
Such an assignment. it was pointed
out by the officers, will materially in
crease the morale Of the local sailor
men, who want a ship not only for
drill purposes but one which they can
take out for q cruise down the Poto-
mac each week end and get in some
practical instruction to illustrate the
classroom instruction which they re-
ceive weekly in the course Of the
armory training program.
The Leary, which has been assigned
here for training purposes on tempo
rary duty. has the regular assign
ment of visiting all Reserve organiza-
tions on the Chesapeake Bay and its
tributaries for this purpose. The 10
cal Reservists have tried to have 1t
assigned here either during the Spring
or Fall months, when they could get
the most use out of it, but it was in
dicated that the program prevents this,
as the vessel has to spend parts OF
the Spring and Autumn and all OF the
Summer months with her division in
taking Naval Reservists on their an
nual two weeks training cruises,
which they are required by law to take.
Out of this period also she must have
a period in the navy yard for overhaul
and preparation for the arduous Sum-
ner cruising