Evening star., 1940-12-22
Virginia Will Begin
EnIistments Soon
For Protective Force
Alexandra, Winchester
And BerryviIIe Will
Organize Companies
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 21.-Vir-
ginia's home protective force, the
military organization that will re-
place the National Guard when 1t
is inducted into Federal Service Feb
ruary 3, will begin enlistments next
month in an effort to fill the mem
bership of As companies of 60 men
each
Alexandria, Winchester and Ber-
ryville are among the communities
in which companies are expected to
be formed. Those three companies
would comprise one of II proposed
battalions.
Brig. Gen. E. E. Goodwin, direc-
tor. in announcing the progress of
steps to set up the organization, said
the actual date on which the en-
listment procedure starts will de-
pend upon the appointment of off,
GERS. These will be named by the
Governor upon recommendation of
his military advisers. Every pre-
caution will be taken to guard
against the wrong type of personnel
for the various positions, Gen.
Goodwin said.
List of 800 Names.
He reported that the State already
had on hand list of at least 300
names from which to select the 165
officers. These were suggested by
the National Guard upon request
Of the Governor. A number of vol
unteers also are included in the
group.
When the protective force is set
up, it will consist of eight battalions
of four companies each and three
battalions of three companies each.
At the head of each battalion will
be lieutenant colonel.
Because of protection to equip
ment, a part of which will be fur
nished by the Federal Government,
companies will be located only in
those communities which have ade-
quate armory facilities, as proved
by their ability to accommodate
National Guard units. There are "a
of these buildings in 81 different
localities.
1921 Rifles Requested.
Requisition already has been made
to the Federal Government. Gen.
Goodwin reported, for 2,291 Enfield
rifles. These will be of 80 caliber,
1917 model.
No provision will be made for uni
forms. Gen. Goodwin suggested,
however, that the State adopt a
standard type of uniform and that
each community clothe its men.
In making his announcement the
director said that he considered the
first phase of his work completed.
The next phase is to obtain the per-
sonnel and to organize it.
Members of the home protective
force must serve without pay and
allowance for drills. The term of
enlistment will be for one year.
Age limits will be from 18 to As for
enlisted personnel and 18 to 64 for
officers.
Enlistment blanks and all neces-
sary forms now are being prepared
at the adjutant generals Office.
Applicants must apply at armories
or directly to officers as soon as the
selection of officer personnel has
been made.
The State protective force will be
subject to call of the Governor.
To clear up some misunderstand-
Ing on the part of the public, Gen.
Goodwin explained that the State
protective force will take the place
of the National Guard, while the
home guard will be organized by
the different localities and will be
subject only to local call. The lat
ter organization, he said, will have
no age limit and no equipment.