Evening star., 1939-06-18
Naval Reservists
Center Attention
On Gunnery Work
New Instructor
May Give Sailors
Special Training

sNSV suSAs0 s0SsOs
May Give Sailors
Special Training
With a regular naval officer, who
only a few months ago came fresh
from duty as gunnery officer aboard
the United States battleship Mis-
issippi, assigned here as their in
ctor-instructor, members of the
lst Battalion District Naval Re-
serves are looking forward to getting
some intensive training which will
fit them for a high mark in target
practice when they take their an
nual cruise next month aboard three
destroyers Of the Atlantic Training
Squadron.
Comdr. Leonard Doughty, who has
recently been in charge of the Naval
Ordnance School at the Washington
Navy Yard, will also be able to give
the local men some first-hand in
struction on naval ordnance. But,
for the time being, the guns crews
want some information on how to
handle themselves at sea with the
big destroyer guns.
The local Reservists inaugurated
the new system of target practice for
the Reserves last year, and it is ex-
pected that the same system will be
tried again this year, in view of the
fact that they did so well. They
will shoot at moving target drawn
by tug, as is done in the Regular
establishment, will give them a bet
ter opportunity to see their work, for
the targets can be brought aboard
the firing ship at the end of the run
of the range Prior to last year, the
Reserves fired special gunnery
course, which was held not to be
effective, and really did not show
just what they could do with the big
guns. Instead of firing at moving
target, a small fixed target was
anchored on the range, and instead
of being required to hit it, the Re-
servists fired in its vicinity, if they
could, and a shot within a certain
T.. L,
there was no way for them to know
whether they made a direct hit or
not, but this is provided for in the
new system, and it was pointed out
that it has served to raise the in
terest of the Reservists in this part
of their naval training
There are but two more drill
nights before the entire battalion of
three divisions embarks on its an
nual tour of duty at sea, and one of
these, next Tuesday night, is to be
devoted to a parade and review in
honor of the new instructor.
Naval Reserve officers, eligible for
promotion, in the future will find
the road a little harder in comply
ing with the strict naval require
ments, in that they will be required
to take written tests in all subjects,
rather than have satisfactory COM
pletion of certain correspondence
courses considered by the examin-
ing board in lieu of the written
tests.
The present rules provide that the
satisfactory completion in present
grade of Naval Reserve correspond
ence courses in certain subjects,
within two years prior to date of
examination, with a mark of not
less than 34, out of unit of 40.
may be accepted by the examining
board In establishing the candidates
qualifications. without further ques-
tions on those subjects.
However, the president of the
Naval Examining Board said that at
the present time. having in mind
the desire for increased efficiency
OF the Naval Reserve, it is believed
that definite date should be set.
after which no Naval Reserve officer
on his examination for promotion
will be excused from taking eXami-
nation in any subject because of
the fact that he completed the Naval
Reserve correspondence course in
that subject. This was followed by
a recommendation of the Naval
Reserve Policy Board that specific
instructions concerning acceptance
OF correspondence course in lieu of
professional examinations for pro-
motion be not included in the new
regulations governing the Reserve,
and that such instructions be pro-
mulgated, and, further, that with
suitable instructions for transitions
on policy, correspondence courses be
not accepted in lieu of professional
examinations for promotion.
Therefore, the Navy Department
has ordered the former practice
Cancelled. However, in order to per-
NIT officers now enrolled in courses
a reasonable opportunity to take
advantage of the former policy. such
officers who qualify professionally
for promotion and commence their
examinations prior to January /.
1910, may, if approved by the Naval
Examining Board, be exempted
from examinations.
Work is being pushed on the new
training vessel which has been as
signed here for the local battalion
and while it is doubted whether it
will be ready for a cruise before the
battalion goes for its annual cruise
there IS also the probability that
they will not have time to use it if
it was. With a two-week cruise
facing them, it is doubtful if a crew
Of volunteers could be obtained for
weekend trip at this time but it
is hoped that the vessel will be ready
for the July 4 holidays.
Although the Organized Reserve
OF three divisions will be on the high
seas at this time, heading for the
North Atlantic off the New England
coast, the members of the Naval
Communications Reserve Division
will use the vessel if it is ready.
Being volunteer unit, it is not
eligible as division to take part in
the annual cruise, except for select
few who are taken along to assist
In handling the radio traffic and for
special shipboard instruction in this