Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-24

In an euort 70 avoid CONFUSION
during the induction period of the
Guard, the War Department has
issued instructions that all of the
units are to maintain their status
quo so far as strength and number
of officers is concerned, at least until
the troops are well settled in their
training IL the field.
While it was explained at the local
brigade headquarters that new tables
of organization had been issued by
the War Department which would
have made some changes in the units
here, subsequent instructions have
been received to disregard these
tables and leave the organizations
remain as they are, at least for the
present.
Although no reasons have been
given for the new orders, it is be-
lieved to be due to the desire to avoid
any confusion in the organizations,
many of which are now in the proc
ess of recruiting their strength, both
active and inactive, so that when
they 60 in the field they will have
enough personnel to reach the So
called peace strength.
Some of the local units are said
to be below the maintenance
strength AS matter of fact, 1t
was said, some have even been I'M
able to bring in enough men to fill
the vacancies created by the increase
allowed the Guard last year. Re-
cruiting efforts will be kept up prac-
tically until the time that the organ
ization is ordered to take to the field
to begin its training at Fort George
G. Meade, for most of the units, and
in Alabama for the 260th Regiment
of Coast Artillery. There are still
said to be some choice vacancies in
a number of the units, involving
much better pay than the new en-
listed man, without training, gets.
These jobs are for specialists who. in
many cases. are fitted for promo
ton Immediately upon enlistment
because their civilian employment
has provided the groundwork.
The Guard units are declared to be
showed under now in the rush to
complete reams of paper work which
must be performed in connection
with the details of getting ready to
move into the field and to provide
the necessary equipment before de-
parture, insofar as it is possible to
do so.
Guard officials say they are still
without any definite orders as to
when to be prepared to mobilize and
prepare for field duty.
In connection with the physical
examinations, it was said that some
of the officers who already had been
indicted into service from the local
brigade had been found physically
disqualified upon examination and
were rejected. In the case of one of
them, it was said that he had been
sent to Walter Reed Hospital for
correction of the defects, and If,
upon further examination, it is
found that the physical weakness
had been corrected, he would be
taken into the service.
1t was explained that when the
mobilization order is issued for all
of the units, the officers will be given
thorough physical examinations be-
fore they go into the field.
Capt. Cooper B. Rhodes has been
recommended by Brig. Gen. Albert l..
Cox as student at the next course
to be given for National Guard Off
GERS at the Command and General
Staff School at Fort Leavenworth,
KanS.
He has been recommended for
special instruction in GIL work,
which, it was explained, includes
personnel problems and policies and
morale.
Corpl. William B. MCGUIRE, Head
quarters Detachment, 29th Division,
has been ordered to report to Col.
John w. Oehmann, president of an
officers examining board, for ex-
animation for commission as Sec
ond lieutenant in the Ordnance De-
partment.
Second 1t. Wilbur T. Townsend,
Finance Department, and attached
to the State Pool, Headquarters De-
tachment, Special Troops, 29th Di-
vision, has been ordered to report to
the same board for examination for
promotion to the rank of second
lieutenant in the Finance Depart
ment.
Capt. William H. Beard, Medical
Detachment, Special Troops, Goth
Division, has been ordered to the
School of Aviation Medicine, at
Langley Field, Va, as a student for
the practical course. The school will
end its sessions on December IL
next.
The following have been honor
ably discharged because of depend
ent relatives: Pvt. Albert w. Wall
dechidt, band, 260th Coast Artillery;
Pvt. George Linthicum, Headquar.
tiers Battery, 260th Coast Artillery;
Pvts. Henry A. Miller and William
E. Ryan, Battery H, 260th Coast
Artillery; Pvt. (First Class George
H. Pettitt and Pvt. William Neal,
Headquarters Company, 10Th Divi-
sion; Pvt. First Class John F.
Oertel and Pvt. John H. Slavin, IT,,
104th Ordnance Company.
Because Of. removal from the city
the following have been honorably