Evening star., 1937-06-06
IS D. G.. Naval Reservists
Go to u. S. Naval Academy
Local Seaman Makes Highest Mark Among
All Competitors Throughout United
States,

n YOT only has the 1st Battalion,
United States Naval Reserve
" In the District OF Columbia,
4 distinguished itself again this
year by capturing IS of the IS
appointments allowed the Naval
Reserve each year to the United
States Naval Academy, but an en-
listed man has brought distinction to
the local outfit by getting the highest
the competitive examinations for the
coveted selections.
David M. Armstrong, q son OF Lieut.
and Mrs. W. B. Armstrong of Cabin
John Park, Nd, an apprentice sea-
man, made = mark Of 38 out OF 4
possible 40. He, together with the
others, will enter the academy with
the new fourth class on July !. 1t was
the second year in succession an ap-
prentice seaman has headed the COM
petitive list OF candidates.
Armstrong graduated from Western
High School In June, 1885, and en-
listed as an apprentice seaman In
the local battalion In April, 1896, and
last Summer made an annual train
ing cruise to Guantanamo Bay. Cuba,
aboard the U. s. Destroyer Tarbell.
Since his enlistment he has been
awarded q gold medal by the Colum-
bian Preparatory School for having
attained the highest mark in examina-
tions.
His father. Lieut.. Armstrong, is .
civilian employe of the Navy Depart
ment, but is q member OF the Reserve,
being assistant chief engineer on the
STAN OF the local battalion commander.
He Is member Of the Volunteer Re-
serve.
The other members Of the battalion
who will enter the academy in July
are. all apprentice seamen: Randall T.
Boyd. David P. Pollaty, Joseph c. Zir-
kle. jr.: Conrad N. Nelson, John w.
Beatty. John G. Messer, William L.
Healy, James NJ Worth. Edward F.
Holm, Robert T. Hayler, Hunter Rein
berg, Ellwood A. CODY, c. P. Cooke, and
J. F. White, jr.
The battalion commander said
young men OF the city desiring to
enter the academy through the Re-
serve, should enlist Immediately, so
their papers could be completed be-
fore July l, as they have to serve one
year In the Reserve until the time of
entrance into the academy II they
are successful in the examinations.
There are many details in connection
with the enlistment, such as physical
examinations and other lists, and to
insure compliance with the regula-
tions, men should visit the battalion
headquarters as soon as possible to
make arrangements.
Once enlisted in the organization
they do not have to submit their
formal applications for permission to
take the examinations until October
/, but the interim forms the basis of
study OF their capabilities by the
commanding oficers Of the feet di-
visions to which they are assigned.
Each man has to attend ~ drills
during the year. 1t is not necessary
for the candidates to make an annual
training cruise.
Special consideration is given to
military fitness in determining pro-
motions in the battalion, but, In ad-
dition, the candidates must have at
tended at least 80 drills during the
armory training period and must have
made at least one training cruise. 1t
takes considerable time to conduct
the examinations, As the divergence
OF specialties in the naval service
makes 1t impossible for the board
members to conduct group exami-
nations. Every man has to be ex-
amined in the speciality In which he
has elected to follow while in the
naval service
There has been q noticeable in