Evening star., 1939-03-19
Creditab|e Marks
Awarded Local
Naval Reservists
Third Division Reported
To Be Leader in
Annual Inspection


All three Of the divisions which
make up the 1st Battalion, District
Naval Reserves, are reported to
have made a very creditable show
ing at the recent annual inspection
which was conducted by board of
Regular Navy officers, which still is
engaged In making inspections of
other units throughout the country.
While the local sailormen have re-
ceived the markings given them by
the inspectors, they will not hear
until well into the summer, when
the markings for all the organiza-
tions IN the country are in, what
their relative standing will be. Two
trophies are offered, one for the
best battalion in the country and
one for the division having the
highest figure of merit as a result
OF the inspections.
The inspectors found few minor
matters which they suggested for
correction, but this is understood
not to have materially lowered the
marks which were expected.
The inspectors were hampered
somewhat by the fact that the
armory is so small that 1t is diff
cult to put on the necessary drills
In proper manner or for the off,
GERS to fully inspect all details as
they would in an adequate structure.
The building is an old commercial
store, entirely unsuitable for the
purpose, and conditions have been
made considerably worse than under
ordinary conditions, because of the
great expansion Of the organization
during the past few years.
1t was reported that there were
approximately 400, men on the drill
floor on the night of the inspection.
whereas the building can only ac-
commodate comfortably a hundred
men.
While the precise marks made in
the various subjects, and in total.
by each of the three divisions are
being held as confidential, it was
said that the Sd Division made the
highest percentage as result of
the tests, with the 1st Division
standing second. From premlimi-
nary computation Of figures con-
tanned in the report, it was said, all
three divisions will only have to
attain a high drill attendance rec
ord during the next three months,
and II this is done they are bound
to obtain mark in mobilization
standing close to the top, If not the
top of the list.
The first-place standing given the
local battalion as a result of the
marks received on its annual cruise
last summer and the very high mark
maintained for sustained drill at
tendance, together with the rate
given them as result of the recent
inspection, is expected to give the
local sailors high general average
when all of the figures are computed
and compared with those of the
other units throughout the country.
This is said to be the first year
that the annual inspection has been
given secondary importance. in ac-
cordance with new policies laid
down by the Navy Department, the
greatest emphasis now being placed
on the annual cruises, the attend.
ance at cruises and the general at
tendance at armory drills through.
out the year. and these the local
organization is reported to have ex-
celled. 1t is understood that this
new policy of marking is meeting
with widespread approval among
the Reserve units throughout the
country. AS matter of fact, 1t was
indicated that many of the other
units in the United States are look
ing forward to further improve
ments in the markings of the Re-
serve units, which will give q better
picture of the performance which
might be expected of them should
they be called to the colors in time
of national emergency.
During the annual cruise the
rated men are assigned to duties
alongside the regulars and are
under the close scrutiny of the sea-
going officers attached to the ship
who report on each officer and man
at the end of the cruise. The sum
of these reports give complete
picture of the efficiency Of the unit,
such as would never be possible
under a long series of annual in
spections given in the buildings
which the organization use during
most of the year for training pur-
poses.
The inspectors found fault with
the armory which the local militia
men are using. but this is entirely
beyond their control, as what they
use is that provided for them by
the Navy Department. However,
the board Is said to have recognized
this fact and merely commented In
its report, the matter to be given
consideration by the Navy Depart
ment In making adequate provision
for quarters for the citizen sailors.
The board said that the building
was "old and leaky," something
which the Reservists have known
for years.
The three divisions are expected
to take their annual training at
sea this summer aboard three de.
| stroyers, each unit going to one ship,
instead of another battleship cruise
which was held last year. All Of
the members of the battalion heard
Of these proposed plans with much
interest, as they did also the report
that their midcruise liberty port
would be New York, where all would
be given an opportunity to visit the
World Fair.
Although there had been some
talk that they would like to be taken
on a foreign cruise, it is understood
that the World Fair plans will be
much to their liking, and 1t is ex.
pected that each of the three di.
visions will take all the men on their
rolls. New York has always been q
popular liberty port for the local
sailormen.
1t is probable that the three de.
I