Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-06
( Enlisted Guurdsmen Denied
Commissions Because of Age
Army Rule Of 81 Years Top Limit
For Second Lieutenonts Is Rigid

age IeSLr1CClO0S Will PRECLUDE
number of otherwise eligible enlisted
men in the National Guard from
obtaining commissions. This has
been brought to the attention Of the
officials at brigade headquarters
when men who have been in the
Guard for years and who occupy
outstanding positions in civil life
have applied for authority to take
examinations for promotion to Sec
ond lieutenancies in the National
Guard of the United States.
In one case, in order to make
test the local headquarters sent re-
quest for a waiver Of the age limit
in the case Of the applicant. The
War Department responded that the
age limits would be fixed and there
would be no waiver in any case. It
was pointed out that this will only
serve to deny the Army the services
In commissioned grades Of men Of
mature age and who perhaps would
make better officers than very young
men who get commissions.
The age-in-grade provisions are
said to be the cause of denying
commissions to these men, and the
prohibition against appointing men
to commissioned rank except in the
first step of second lieutenant. In
other branches, such as the Naval
Reserve, it was pointed out, If men
are desired by the Navy Department
to serve in the commissioned grades,
they can be taken in at higher rank,
which would place them in the right
rank for their ages.
The commissions in the National
Guard of the United States are for
enlisted men of the organized
Guard. When commissioned in the
former they remain as enlisted men
until there is a mobilization, when
their commissions Immediately be-
come active and they are assigned
places as officers.
While it is expected to be several
months before the local militia Is
called into the service, probably for
training duty at Fort George G.
Meade, Md, nevertheless brigade
headquarters is making a study OF
the commissions in the National
Guard of the United States to as
certain just how far the enlisted
ranks will be reduced by the pro-
motion of these men. Efforts are
being made to recruit sufficient men
to take the places of those who will
be commissioned by the mobiliZa-
ton.
While there is need for warrant
officers in the division headquarters
here, so that many details of this
important part of the division can
be completed before the militia is
called into the service, the Guard
officials have found that they cannot
get these details now. 1t was said
that, while the tables of organiza-
ton call for men of this rating
there is no provision for appointing
them to the peacetime units. How
ever. they may be appointed as soon
as the Guard is modified for serv-
ice. even the approaching year
training service.
-Four officers of the 260th Coast
Artillery Regiment here have been
ordered to Fort Monroe, Va, to at
tend the Coast Artillery School.
They are Capt. Lee j. Ruiz. Battery
A: Capt. James H. Heller, Head
quarters Battery: First 1t. Howell
A. Nash, Headquarters Battery. and
First 1t Julian A. Walker. Battery
F. The course at the school is
scheduled to end on December 9.
The old National Hotel during its
more than 100 years as the center
of political activity in the early days
Of Washington has never expert
enced such commotion as is going
on now. In addition to being the
headquarters for the local draft &C.
tivities. officers of the Guard serv-
ing on this detail also are getting
the units and equipment ready fol