Evening star., 1939-01-15
Naval Reserve
Personnel Hoping
For New Armory

Special Act Of Congress
Believed Only Solution
Of Problem
While preparing for the annual
inspection which is only few weeks
away, the officers of the 1st Bat
talon, District Naval Reserve, have
become more deeply impressed with
the cramped conditions under which
they are required to build up an
efficient organization for the ex-
animation by a ooard of Regular
officers from the Navy Department.
With the large enrolment now in
the battalion, there is hardly enough
room to muster the entire battalion
to present to the board for its annual
| tests.
The men are hopeful that Con.
gress will provide the funds neces-
sary to construct new building not
only for the Organized Reservists
Of the Navy, but also for the Marine
Corps Reserve, which is housed In
quarters just about as bad. The
proposal has been made that COM
bined armory be constructed. Hav-
ing previously made efforts to have
the Public Works Administration
provide funds for the construction
Of such building, and having been
stopped at every turn, Reservists
say that their only chance Of getting
it now is to have Congress pass a
special bill.
The point has been stressed that
only funds for the construction Of
a building are needed, as land is
available within the Navy Yard
reservation, close to the Eleventh
Street Bridge; that it would be ideal
location for such a building for Re-
serve training, as when destroyers
are sent here for drill purposes they
could be tied up close to the armory.
so that the divisions would not lose
so much time as they are now re-
quired to do in marching from the
armory to the quay where the YES
sells are tied up when they come here
for this purpose. Also, it was added
that when a training ship Is sent
here permanently, it would be close
by and available for the weekly in
struction. Furthermore. it was as
serted that provision could be made
for small boats near the armory, and
these would be more accessible to
the officers and men of the division
than under the present conditions.
The inspection boards have called
attention to the armory needs
throughout the country, but it is
doubtful if the department will urge
the provision of Federal funds at
this time for a correction of this, so
1t appears that the individual units
will have to put forth their own
efforts to attempt to get the de-
flciency corrected.
Restrictions have been placed by
the Navy Department on men who
may be enlisted in the higher ratings
OF the Communications Reserve. If
prospective recruits have valid Fed
eral Communications Commission
licenses, they may be enlisted in
this branch of the Reserve, under
the following restrictions: Holders of
the first-class license, able to send
and receive 20 words per minute
in mixed code, may be enlisted as
chief radiomen; second-class license
20 words mixed code, radiomen, first
class; second-class license, 16 words,
radioman. second class; third-class
license. II words letter code, radio
man, third class: amateur, class A,
license, is words mixed code. radio
man, second class; amateur, class
A, II words letter code, radioman,
third class; class B, II words letter
code, radioman, third class; class
c, 13 words plain language, seaman,
first class. For those having no
license, but who can send and re-
ceive 10 words minute plain
language, seaman, second class, end
with no training, apprentice sea-
man.
All applicants must qualify physi-
cally. No first enlistments will be
made in the ratings of chief radio
man or first-class radioman without
prior approval of the Bureau Of Nav
igation of the Navy Department.
Prior to enlistment in any rating, the
applicant will be required to pass
the appropriate code speed test
as specified. Men with former Navy,
Naval Reserve or Coast Guard serv-
ice may be re-enlisted in the rating
last held, provided they were recon-
mended for re-enlistnlent on their
last discharge and pass the ap-
. propriate code-speed test specified
for a first enlistment.
5 Men of class 3, the Volunteer Re-
5 serve, will be advanced in rating
] subject to the following and the
5 recommendation of their command
ing officer: A minimum Of one years
r service in a lower rating; passing
: satisfactorily code test and suit
z able written examination; when they
= have satisfactorily demonstrated
their interest in the Naval Reserve
Seamen, first and second class, ano
! apprentice seamen may be advanced
in rating to radioman, third class
whenever found qualified. Ability
:, to send and receive in American
! Morse will not be required In any
: rating, it was said.
= Requirements for advance ir
rating heretofore have not included
a written examination. However
under the present plans, the result:
! of all written examinations must bs
v reported to the Bureau of Naviga.
: ton of the Navy Department.
: Officers of the Volunteer Naval Re.
serve who are employees of the Fed
eral Government are not entitled
: to military leave to perform Reserve
;, duties if these duties are similar Il
: those performed in their civilian
y ,.I- - IL.