Evening star., 1940-06-02

scores oPuITeo
By War Activities
Ask Appointments Is
Naval Reserve headquarters In the
Washington Navy Yard was literally
stormed last week by scores Of men
of all ages seeking commissions in
the United States Naval Reserve.
Omcers said that the sudden in
crease in applications was undoubt-
edly brought about by the increase
In military operations In Europe
coupled by the plans for increasing
the defense forces of the United
States in accordance with the pre-
paredness program Of the President.
Most Of those who applied, 1t was
said, had had little or no experience
with naval affairs or practices and
most Of them just wanted commits
sions in the Naval Reserve. All ap-
plicants were interviewed and their
applications taken and all will be
examined to ascertain whether any
of them have qualifications which
will make them available for use by
the Navy in time of national need.
The Navy is thoroughly scrutiniz-
ing all applications for the Naval
Reserve and is requiring applicants
to give a detailed history of their
birth, lives to date and their quail
f1cations. In addition to those quail
fled for service at sea, the Navy re-
quires specialists in many branches,
for duty at naval establishments on
the shore. But those seeking service
in the sea-going and air branches
are expected to have had some ex-
perience, as it will take considerable
time to fit them for service afloat.
Practically all of those who applied
for commissions are seeking them
in the Volunteer Reserve, as the
commissions in the organized di-
visions here are limited in number
and all of the billets are said to
be filled.
In addition to those assigned to
the active battalion there are a
number of volunteer officers who
are drilling weekly with the organi-
zation and if and when vacancies
occur they are filled by those Of
f1cers who have shown such interest
in their commissions as to volunteer
their time without pay on drill
nights. Those of the volunteer
branch are not required to drill
weekly, but in late months the Navy
Department has urged all of those
with commissions to take an active
part in the local Reserve units with
a view to fitting themselves for i'm
mediate service in time of need.
There have been some transfers re-
Gently from the volunteers to the
Organized Reserves, as officers from
the latter branch accepted active
duty under the Presidents limited
emergency proclamation. In addi-
ton some volunteer officers have
qualified for active duty and it is
expected that some Of those who
are now seeking commissions are de-
sirous of obtaining active duty. How
ever, unless they have had previous
experience it is not expected that
they will be called upon to fill
billets, at least not until after q
long period of training and indoc-
trination. However. the department
has not been able to obtain all of
the Reserve officers it now needs
for active duty with the fleet and
any Reserve officer desiring this
duty can have it. 1t was indicated.
Because of the statute which pre-
vents the department from calling
Reserve officers into the service
without their consent in time Of
peace, it must wait for volunteers.
If a full emergency is declared.
however, the department can order
the officers to duty without their
consent.
However, the need is for expert
enced officers and particularly those
who have been drilling regularly
with the organized branch and who
take the regular training cruises each
year. Those who have volunteered so
far, it was said, have been sent to
regular stations aboard ships of the
active fleet, where they have been as
signed to regular duties, relieving
officers of the regular establishment
for duty elsewhere Most of them
have been assigned to destroyers and
other ships engaged on neutrality
patrol duty.
The Communication Reserve on
GERS Association at q meeting last
week heard an address by Chief Tur-
ret Capt. H. M. Suggs, U. S. NJ,
a master diver, on deep-sea diving
He is head instructor at the Navy
Diving School at the Washington
Navy Yard.
The training ship of the local bat
talon made cruise down the Poto-
mac last week end with members of
the Sd Division aboard It was COM
manded by It. F. S. Kirk.
The Naval Reserve Radio Station
NED. at the Naval Reserve Armory
in the Washington Navy Yard. last
week completed eight years Of con-
tinuous service on the air without
missing drill.
Because of the preparedness ac-
tivities of the Navy, it was an
nounced by 1t. NJ Weinstock, COM
mander Of the Naval Communica-
tions Reserve Division, that there
would be no suspension of drills dur
ing the current summer. In addi.
ton to the regular weekly armory
drills at the Naval Reserve radio
station, 1t. Weinstock said 1t Is
hoped to utilize the training ship of
the Organized Reserve, and q sched-
ule for participation Of this division
will be arranged.
The radio equipment for the ship
is at the Washington Navy Yard and
it is expected that its installatio
will be completed within q few DAYS.
It will have both voice and code in