Evening star., 1938-01-23
CRUISING DATES
EXPECTED SOON
Naval Reservists Await An.
nouncement of Ships
for Training.

" 0b'VISs
Annual cruise dates for the three
| divisions composing the 1st Battalion.
United States Naval Reserves in the
District Of Columbia, are expected to
be announced from the Navy Depart
ment within short time
| While it is probable the units will
be taken to sea aboard destroyers,
there is possibility they might be
given another cruise aboard a battle.
ship. Several years ago they were
taken aboard the Wyoming, Of the
Atlantic Training Squadron.
While the local divisions are or
ganized and trained primarily to form
the nucleus of destroyer crew in the
event OF trouble, as are number Of
other divisions throughout the coun-
try, nevertheless, there is belief in
the Navy Department even the men
should have regular periods of battle
ship training. This is on the theory
that in time of war it might be
necessary to transfer these trained
men from the smaller ships to COM
| PiNNt t3lN vi Vic ldlkCI
vessels of the feet, and in order that
they may be familiar with the routine
and duties aboard these vessels they
should be trained in adance
| Furthermore, it was pointed out,
when they go on battleship cruises
they not only have contact with men
of the Regular establishment. but they
establish contacts with men of the
other Reserve units in their general
area. In the case of destroyer cruises,
only one division is taken at time
aboard a destroyer, and the rest Of
the crew is composed of Regulars,
but when battleship is assigned TO
take the Reserve on a training cruise.
usually 10 or more divisions are taken.
During the last battleship cruise the
divisions from Baltimore, Norfolk and
Richmond were taken.
| While the ReservistS are not given
an opportunity to suggest their cruise
dates or the places to which the ships
Will take them for their mid-crlise
liberty ports. many of them, never
theless, are hopeful that this year all
three divisions will be taken to some
foreign port. The cruises have to be
arranged by the Navy Department in
connection with the routine employ.
ment schedules mapped out for the
various vessels ordered for this duty.
Although the work on this coast is
usually done by the ships of the At
lantic Training Squadron, the Re.
serve cruises have to be fitted in with
those provided for the r. o. T. c. units
and in the case batleships are to be
used, with the cruises Of the midship-
men at the United States Nava'
Academy.
Cramped Quarters.
| Although seriously cramped in theil
present quarters it is understood Local
Naval Reserve officers do not plan al
this time to make any further move
to have funds provided for new
building.
They take the position the navy yare
, authorities, under whose direction the
local reserve operates, are fully cog
nizant of the conditions. and know
nothing can be done unless Congress
provides the funds. No Recommended
ton to alleviate the conditions has
been made in the naval estimates fol-
the current year The reserve officer:
feel, it is understood, that the Navy
Department will make recommends.
ton for funds when it believes tina
the proper time has arrived.
With an inspection approaching
officers believe that the board Of regu,
lar naval officers. after viewing the
work Of the local battalion and exam.
lining the armory might have sone
comment to make in their repor
which might stir the department Il
action in behalf of the local reservists
Tentative plans for new buildint
have been drawn under the direction
Of the reserve officers who have mad,
known just what they desire in new
building which will provide them with
facilities for getting the full measure
of training. These plans have beer
approved by the commandant Of th'
proyal Of the Navy Department, bui
that is where the matter stands al
this time The proposed building moi
only would provide adequate quarter
and training facilities, but for tht
Marine Corps Reserve Regiment
which is housed in quarters as bae
if not worse than those used BY tn,
feet reservists.
Annual Inspection.
Despite the lack of proper space and
facilities. the reservists are ready II
carry out their annual inspection ane
expect to show the board from thu
Navy Department that. even with tn,
facilities at hand. they have improved
their naval technique during the yeal
and they hope that the board will b.
impressed with the Importance Of pro
viding the local battalion with al
adequate building.
| At this time naval authorities ar
concentrating their efforts on gettini
sufficient funds not only to increas'
the size of the fleet, but also for per
sonnel with which to man the vesseli
already afloat, and any consideration
for the reserve needs must give wal
to this greater problem.
While the reserves do get q two
week cruise each year aboard SOM
vessel of the active fleet, most of thel
training is received during the /!
months and two weeks which the
spend in their armory without ever
training ship to be used for cruisin,
purposes in between cruises
AS was pointed out by high nava
official, an expansion program. cover
ing a period of years, has been pre-
pared for the naval establishment I
contains section for expansion O
the Naval Reserve, but it was pointe,
out that it should be remembered tha
in the event funds are insufficient il
any year to carry out the entir
program, then the Naval Reserv
program must lag with the others, tn
belief being expressed that any in
| crease in funds which Congress nigh
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