Evening star., 1939-08-20

derstood, th!S
''''' year will be held
1t. Jennings. in the fall. In
view of the fact that the inspections
have to be held in the inadequate
armory, much attention is given by
the inspectors to the close-order
drills. The divisions, because Of
their large size, have only a very
limited space for executing the varl-
Gus movements required by the
board and are anxious to improve on
this feature.
officers and men are hoping that
the approaching inspection will be
the last. There has been some dis
cussion of abandoning them in favor
of the cruise reports in determining
the efficiency of these seagoing
organizations.
The local battalion will put on
formal review Tuesday night in
honor of 1t. A. J. Benz, United
States Navy, who has just been de-
tailed here as the officer in charge
of Naval Reserve affairs in the Dis
trict. The three divisions and the
staff will be paraded for the newly
assigned officer, who is expected to
conduct formal inspection. Under
his guidance the battalion will be
prepared for its annual appearance
before the Inspection Board
The U. S. battleship Askansas Is
scheduled to leave an as vet un-
named East Coast port on Septem-
Der 9 for a two weeks cruise and
will have aboard a number of the
members of the local Reserve bat
talon who were unable to make the
annual cruises aboard a destroyer.
1t was said the ship will make SUBJ
stantially the same itinerary as that
covered by the destroyers which car
ried the local Reservists.
The swimming classes are said to
be making headway. Under the di-
rection of 1t. E. B. Constantine, jr.,
weekly instruction is held at the
swimming pool at the receiving sta
b4oll Ill lIlC " lOll NAVY dlu,
BY the end of September it is hoped
to have all members of the battalion
qualified for swimming.
Because of the large increase in
the amount of paper work at tbs
local battalion incidental to the for
nation of special division of men
seeking appointments to the United
States Naval Academy, through the
Reserve, the Navy Department has
authorized the addition of two yeo-
ment, first class. for the local outfit.
/ This division is expected to total
$50 men. While the successful cam
didates have actually been notified
and have reported to the academy
for assignment to classes it was said
that the Navy Department has not
yet notified the local battalion off,
clals as to the number who went
from the local organization.
Records Of enlisted men OF the
local battalion are being closely
checked to determine those who will
be entitled to receive the new Naval
Reserve medals for Reserve service.
1t is expected to have the list of
ellgibles ready by the 1st of Octo-
ber, when, it is understood, the first
OF the medals will be available. One
OF the major requirements of eligi-
bility is tina. man must have served
10 years as a member of the Reserve.
1t. Jennings has called upon the
commanders of each of the three
divisions for recommendations for
candidates for the Veterans of
Foreign Wars medal. Il is donated
by the local veterans organization
to be awarded each year TO the
outstanding enlisted man who has
contributed most to the success of
the battalion during the last year.
| 1t. Comdr. Charles B. McVay,
United States Navy, is credited by
the officers Of the local Naval Re-
serve command as the officer who
did more than any one else to bring
the local outfit to its present high
state Of efficiency when he was in
structor. has been named naval aide
to Francis B. Sayre, recently ap-
pointed high commissioner of the
Philippine Islands.
A number of the leading petty
officers attached to the local oi-
visions have accepted appointments
as mates in the Sea Scouts to aid
in the training of the boys in this
group. The Sea Scouts have been
given authority to use the local
armory on drill nights to carry on
their training work, the training
facilities of the local Reservists hav-
ing been made available for this
purpose. The work is under the
direction of Boatswain H. r. Moa-
seau, U. S. N, retired.
The 18th Naval District has been
awarded the trophy for having the
outstanding Naval Communications
Reserve group in its area This is
the second consecutive year that
this unit has won the trophy.