Evening star., 1937-08-15
w YHILE one division OF the 1st
M Battalion, United States
" " Naval Reserves in the Dis
trict of Cnlnno hin IL xtAan.

\A/ Battalion, United States
v v Naval Reserves in the Dis
trict of Columbia, is steam
ing southwark aboard the U. S. de-
stroyer Badger. two other divisions
are getting their seabags and equip
ment in condition for a voyage in a
northern direction.
With the I'd Fleet Division aboard,
the destroyer left the Washington
Navy Yard yesterday, headed for st.
Thomas, Virgin Islands, where they
will have their midcruise liberty and
recreation period. but not before they
have been put through six days Of
strenuous exercises and drills, to say
nothing Of the attendance at schools,
to learn to increase their efficiency
as sailormen to handle this same type
Of ships should they be called into
active service in time OF a national
emergency.
The division, commanded by Lieut.
81. g. Winston s. Brown, assembled
in the Navy Yard Armory early yes
terday. After boarding the ship they
were assigned their messing and living
quarters and they were given an op-
portunity to study the watch, quar-
ter and station bill, which gave them
the details OF where they were ex-
pected to be for each drill and exer-
routine duties. Each OF the men were
assigned the duties Of their various
rates, and in these they will be thor
oughly drilled during the two-week
period they will be away, so that they
will have full knowledge Of the work
that will be expected OF them in time
Of national emergency
Each day will be full one There
will be watches to be stood and lee
lures and most important OF all will
be the preparations for target prac-
tice. one OF the big events OF the Sec
ond week OF the cruise. All during
the first week and part OF the second,
up until the time the ship goes on the
range, the gun crews will be drilled
necessarily at the guns, for the local
Reservists are out this year TO cap
ture one Of the coveted trophies. Tar
get practice results also count high
in the annual inspection marks, and
as the local units made such great
strides in their marks this year, they
are going TO try to bring them con-
siderable higher for the next annual
inspection through the results OF their
target practice this Summer.
The Badger is expected to arrive
at st. Thomas next Friday. But even
before the local Reservists are put
ashore for this midcruse recreation
period they will have had their fill
Of movies, for the ship loaded a num-
Der Of reels Of the largest shows, and
show will be given each night,
weather permitting. All men of watch
are permitted to attend these shows.
Ashore in ST. Thomas there will be
sports, sightseeing, swimming parties
and other entertainment.
During the target practice period the
Reserve division is expected to take
full charge OF the vessel, maneuvering
on the range to give the gunners the
best advantages possible. for in time
Of national emergency these Reserve
divisions will be expected to form
the nucleus Of crews Of the destroyers
now tied up and out Of commission in
the navy yards on the Atlantic ana
Pacific Coasts.
The I'd Division is scheduled to re-
turn here August 20, following which
there will be an interim of two weeks,
then the other divisions composing the
battalion will sail from the Navy Yard,
each aboard = destroyer. The names
Of the ships on which these two divi-
sions will cruise has not been an
nounced. But it is known that they
will head northward when they clear
the Chesapeake capes and will op-
crate in the waters OF the New Eng
land Coast, probably going into Bos-
ton. Mass, for the midcruise liberty
period
Members Of the battalion look for
ward to these training cruises with
pleasure. While the work Is neces-
sarily strenuous because so much has
to be crowded into the two-week
period, nevertheless it is change
from the civil occupations of the Off