Evening star., 1938-01-02
NAVAL UNIT HERE
MAKES 193SPLANS
Communication Division De.
termines to Stay at
Top of List,

Top OF List.
With the silver cup which they won
as national champions Of the radio
communication divisions of the United
states Naval Reserve for a constant
reminder Of their accomplishments Of
lhe past year. the local communica-
ton division has set up an impressive
program for the current year to re-
tain the trophy. Members have been
reminded by their commander. in
q New Year communication. of what
they have done during 1887 against
the numerous other units throughout
the country, and called on them to
put forth every effort to keep the
championship here
He pointed out that the local divi.
sion enters 1888 better equipped to
retain first place on the roll of divi.
sions than ever before, and has asked
the undivided support of these volun-
teers to retain this position by doing
all OF three things: First, securing
more recruits for the organization:
second, getting more contacts over the
air during the drill periods, and,
third, getting better armory attend
ance
| Naval Reserve officers here are KEEN
ly interested in the matter OF whether
Congress will take up for consideration
the measure having for its purpose
the amendment of the Naval Reserve
Act OF 1925 to correct many defects
that have been found in actual opera
tlon OF the measure, and which, to
some extent, have retarded rather
than helped the operation of this i'm
portant component of the regular
establishment. Many Of the changes
have particular reference to the pro-
motion and retirement of officers, and
particularly retirement of older officers
SO that the younger officers will not
remain too long in the lower grades.
No Change Wanted Now.
While forced retirement Of Naval
Reserve officers. who have become too
old for the particular grades which
they hold, is generally supported in
principle by them, nevertheless it has
been contended that Congress should
not give any consideration to such a
| provision at this time. Rather, 1t was
added, attention should be given to
building up a strong and adequate
reserve of experienced officers which
would be ready for immediate and
efficient service afloat should an emcr-
gency develop. When this is doe,
and the force is considered adequate
and Well-prepAred. then, it is con-
tended. consideration might be given
to training the younger. .ofHcers--fsr
higher conTmapd and, when consid.~
cred fitted. then replacements could
! be considered
On the other hand, the younger Of
flcers point out they are growing older,
and are remaining in their present
status, and that by the time the force
is developed to the stage when age
| in-grade legislation is needed, they
will be forced out under it without
having had the opportunity Of getting
to higher rank.
The idea of putting of the age-in-
grade retirement provision, which of
course applies primarily to the fleet
reserve, where there is q single pro-
motion list, it is contended may Sc
riously impair the building up q highly
efficient reserve of the younger Off
GERS. Even now some of them are said
to be contemplating leaving the fleet
reserve, where their experience ana
knowledge is Of vast Importance in
keeping the enlisted personnel traincl
to the top notch.
1t has been pointed out that in the
selection of officers for higher ran:
in the reserve on an inactive-duj.
status should be placed on the Sc
lection boards. There is a group Of
reserve officers who contend tha.
even reserve officers, on an indefinite
active-duty status, should not form
personnel of boards appointed fOr
the selection of officers from lower
ranks to fill vacancies in the higher
grades. They contend officers on in
definite status are in better position
to act on such boards for the Sc
lection of reserve officers for promo
ton, because of the fact that the off,
GERS who are on extended-duty status
are practically in the same relation as
officers of the Regular Establish
ment who are appointed to serve on
such boards.
| Want Sea Cruise
Volunteer reserve officers are look
ing forward to legislation which will
give them at least one cruise at sea
|
der the present law they are not re-
quired to take any sea training. They
point out while they do not get the
annual cruises as provided for the
fleet reserve they should be given
some training aboard ship 50 as to be-
come indoctrinated with the pro-
cedure Of the fleet, with the view to
| getting sufficient training to be able
to get down to business promptly in
the event Of an emergency necessi-
tating their call into active service.
While provision is made from time
to time for these officers to take train
ing aboard ship, they not only do not
receive any pay but they are re-
quired to pay their transportation ex-
penses to and from the port Of en-
barkation and debarkation and arc
required to pay their expenses aboard
ship.
Officers Of the Navy Department
are giving consideration to the prob
lem of eliminating from the reeerve
those members who are connected with
industries or Government activities
where their services could not be
spared for service with the feet in
time Of an emergency. These in
cluded Federal employees. workers in
the navy yards and munitions plants.
In number Of cases many divisions
now recruited up to full strength
would be seriously depleted upon mo-
bilization because of the fact that
the officers and men would be re-
quired in their civilian occupations.
The question has been raised as to
the value to the Government Of ex-
pending large sums Of money in