Evening star., 1937-07-25
Naval Reserve Battalion
Shows Improved Efficiency
Annual Report Said to Indicate Local Unit
Made Long Jump Over Others in
Country.

relative efficiency as COM
~ pared with other units
~ throughout the country was
made by the lst Battalion, United
States Naval Reserves in the District
of Columbia, this year, according to
report OF the Board Of Inspection
1t is now in sixth place
Ever since the battalion was given
| thorough reorganization in 1888 II
has been developing Its training and
class room instruction to high point
with a determination to reach the tor
place, for which a trophy is awarded
each year by the Navy Department.
The honors this year are said to be
the highest ever obtained since its
organization subsequent to the World
War. Thirty-six battalions in various
parts of the country competed
The standing reached this year is
considered all the more remarkable
because of the lack OF adequate train
ing facilities. Even while going ahead
under unsatisfactory conditions, the
Reservists have found time to push
their campaign to obtain suitable
quarters for their training, but their
efforts have proved Of no avail. They
have had plans drawn for a new
armory and have sought to have funds
allocated from the various Government
agencies for a building only, as the
site is available within the limits of
the Navy Yard reservation. The Re-
servists intend to press their movement
TO obtain better training facilities be-
cause of the fact that while crowded
now, with possible increases to be al
lowed by Congress in the divisions
there will be imperative need for more
space. There is not room now in the
building for the drilling Of an entire
battalion, which is serious handicap
during the Winter months when it is
mpracticable to conduct such drills in
the open on the reservation.
The training launch here also is SO
inadequate that men cannot be allotted
sufficient time for training. and the
limited facilities also prevent a we'll
| rounded training routine even while
the vessel is under way. 1t is one of
! the Navy type launches, on which q
| cabin has been built, and cannot be
| used to give much instruction in sea-
manship.
Officers are awaiting with much IN
| terest the report of the recent policy
! conference held here between regular
and Naval Reserve officers from various
parts OF the country. One of the most
important subjects scheduled to be
taken up at that conference was that
| of providing adequate training vessels
1t is the hope of the local ReServists
the department and the Reserve officers
will find some means Of filling this i'm
portant lack in the facilities. Officers
here favor type of boat about 100 feet
IN length. such as Is used in the Coast
Guard and number OF which were
turned over to the Navy some time ago
While this type of vessel. it was said, is
most desirable, the local pen would not
be averse to having destroyer as
signed here, as was done up TO the
beginning of the depression when the
governmental economy wave forced
withdrawal of the ship because OF the
expense of upkeep and operation. While
considerable expense is involved ir
putting such vessel in commission for
| training purposes, because Of the neces.
| sity Of keeping a skelton crew Of ship
keepers aboard at all times to main
tain the vessel, nevertheless the officers
point out that it is money we'll spent
The men give their time without com
pensation on the week end cruises. and
the Government gets the benefit Of this
training, which will be available to II
in time Of national emergency
| Officers point out that this constant