Evening star., 1937-07-25

Noiioi'ioii' anu carries on tne duties
they learn for the two weeks thev are
away on their annual training cruise.
1t also helps to maintain the morale Of
the organizations at top-notch at all
times, AS, it was pointed out. the men
enlist in the Naval Reserve because of
the opportunities for cruising.
In connection with the annual IN
spection report, 1t was said the three
divisions also showed decided improve
ment in standing during the year.
For the results obtained in the last
inspection. the local Reservists Civ
considerable credit to their inspectors
instructor, Lieut.. Comdr Charles B.
McVay, Sd, U. S. N.
The Swimming class OF the local
Reserve battalion is making progress
under the direction of Lieut.. w. B.
Atkinson. 1t is the purpose Of this
class to give the men training and in
struction in first aid in the water and
IN life saving, with view to each man
in the battalion becoming Instructor
in life saving and qualifying for the
Red Cross Life Saving Medal.
The battalion expects to send fun
quota Of men on the annual cruises
this year The ID Fleet Division, which
will be the first to go. will be on
training duty at sea from August IA
to 27. The destroyer which takes
them will go to st. Thomas for the
mid-crulse liberty period The two
other divisions will go from September
to II. These two divisions will cruise
in the North Atlantic. While they will
90 TO an American port for the liberty
period, it was pointed out that thew
will have the advantage Of much cooler
weather than is expected to be expe-
rlenced by the officers and men who 60
on the first cruise.
large number OF recruits are be-
ing attracted to the battalion at this
time, but it is not known how many
VIII be taken on the annual cruises.
1t has been the policy of the battalion
heads for some time to require II
weeks of probationary training be-
fore even permitting the applicants
to enlist in the organization.
All three Of the divisions will en-
bark on the training ships at the
Washington Navy Yard. The names
Of the destroyers which Will take the
personnel on the practice cruises have
not yet been announced. but they will
be assigned from the Atlantic Train
ing Squadron.
Because of the increased activity
OF the unit in participating in local
functions. Lieut.. James E. Sullivan.
commanding the battalion, has for
mulated plans for the establishment
OF a special detail which will be al
ways ready for such assignments.
There also Will be a special color
guard detailed for such functions and
special ceremonies.
The Navy Department announced
the annual two weeks training cruise
OF some Of the divisions of the Fleet
Naval Reserve now is being conducted
py destroyers and battleshlps, and, in
the case Of certain inland units by
special vessels stationed on the Great
Lakes. This training Will continue
throughout the Summer in order to
give each Of the l49 divisions an
opportunity to cruise for two weeks.
Ihe last Congress initiated a train
ing program for the Merchant Marine
Naval Reserve by appropriating funds
to cruise 100 officers and I2o men,
The details Of this program are still
being worked out. and. based on this
years experience. the department
nopes that IN succeeding years a
larger number can be trained