Evening star., 1939-01-08
Naval Reserve
Battalion 10 Have
Preliminary Test
Cheekup Of Details
Before Annual
Inspection Is PIunned


"a, to make q final check Of the
organization which is scheduled to
60 through its annual inspection
before q board of regular officers
from the Navy Department on the
night of February I.
1t. James E. Sullivan, commander
Of the battalion, has ordered the
preliminary review in order to note
any deficiencies which should be
given attention on the intervening
drill nights between that set for
the battalion inspection and the
time the departmental board arrives.
The enlisted personnel have been
given instructions to get their uni
forms in the best OF shape for the
tests, and these will be closely
checked at the review on the night
of January "a. Between the pre-
liminary review and the annual
tests there will be only one drill
period, and this will be devoted to
q final checkup on the drills which
the Inspection Board will call for.
On that night everything practically
will be gone over except the battle
1problem. There will be infantry
drill and the manuel of arms, first
aid instruction, handling of gunnery
casualties and engineering casual
ties, contact signals, and procedure.
1t. Sullivan is having prepared
history of the local battalion since
its organization subsequent to the
World War. It is to be an extensive
review of the progress the organi-
zation has made during the years
subsequent to 1920. The first COM
mander Of the postwar unit was
/. Comdr. A. B. Clements, who was
later succeeded by Comdr. j. A.
schofleld, now captain. who re-
linquished the command when he
was called to indefinite active duty
in the Naval Reserve Division Of the
Navy Department, where he is still
serving. He was succeeded by 1t.
Comdr. John Balch Blood, who in
turn was succeeded by 1t. Comdr.
r. Bascom Smith. Since that officer
was relieved of the command, it has
been commanded by leutenants,
these including, in sequence, Samuel
w. Stinemetz, Harold E. Richardson,
Beverly M. Coleman to 1t. Sullivan.
It has been the contention of
number Of officers that it should be
commanded by a lieutenant COM
rnander, as a division in the Navy
Is q lieutenant's command, and the
local battalion consists Of three di-
visions. However, under the single
seniority list for the Reserve officers
throughout the country, none Of the
officers who have been in command
have been high enough on the list
Of neutenants to reach the next
grade while they were in command
Of the organization.
Two officers have been selected
from this district to 60 to Charles
ton, s. c., for two weeks, beginning
tomorrow, for the area conferences
Of Reserve officers on the new regu-
lations which have been drafted
by the Navy Department to carry
into effect the new Naval Reserve
. Act which was passed by the last
session of Congress. They are 1t.
G. H. Williams, a general service
volunteer ofIlcer, and 1t. D. D. Cur
ley, commanding oticer Of the
Naval Reserve aviation base at Ana
costa, D. G.
They with others from the fifth,
seventh, eighth and ninth naval
districts will 60 over the draft and
make any suggestions for changes
which they believe are necessary
In the interest Of the Reserve. They
will select an officer to represent
them on the Policy Board which is
to be convened later at the Navy
Department here, and having repre-
sentative Reserve officers from all
parts Of the country as well as
officers Of the Regular establish
ment on duty at the Navy De-
partment in connection with the
training of the Reserves.
The Reserve officers are still scam
ming their lists of enlisted men with
q view to picking one who will be
called to indefinite duty for the
purpose of going to Charleston, s. c.,
In connection with the fitting out Of
the new training ship which Is to
be assigned to the local battalion.
The problem has become q difficult
one because many Of those Of the
petty officer group who are con-
sidered qualified to accept the call
to duty are unable to give the time
away from their civilian employ
ment.
It was pointed out that the man
must be well grounded in his naval
training, as while in the Charles
ton yard he will have practically
the same duties as an officer of
the regular establishment ordered
to ship about to go into COM
mission. He will have to check
inventories Of property to see that
all gear Is aboard, and in every
respect have the vessel ready to
proceed to sea as soon as the crew
arrives from here to take charge
on her cruise to the District Of
Columbia.
The Judge advocate general Of
the Navy has rendered an opinion
to the effect that the United States
Maritime Service, established by the
United States Maritime Commission
Is not In time of peace a naval
or military organization" within the
meaning Of the Naval Reserve Act
~of 1888 and members Of the United
States Maritime Service may legal
ly retain their membership therein
after appointment or enlistment in
the Naval Reserves. Under the law,
members Of the Reserve cannot be-
long to any other military or naval
Slganlzation while serving In the
Naval Reserve.
reserve omcers are showing IN
increased Interest in the correspond
ence courses provided in various
naval subjects In order that these
a S