Evening star., 1940-07-21
Naval Reserve
Message Unit
Gets New Head
1t. J. H. Nicholson
Assumes Command Of
Communications Unit

SAuAAkC III CuIIlIlhllu AIAUllk IkiC
units of the District Naval Reserve.
1t. Morris Weinstock, who has been
in command of the Naval Reserve
Communications Division for about
two years, has volunteered for active
duty and has been called into the
service in connection with the plans
for mobilizing as many radio op-
orators as possible to man the
Navy's intricate communications
system.
The response to active duty call
by 1t. Weinstock has necessitated
the assumption again Of the COM
mand of the communications unit
here by 1t. j. H. Nicholson, who re-
linquished the command of the divi-
sion several years ago because Of the
pressure Of private business How
ever. even since he left the COM
mand, he has taken an active part
In the affairs of the local unit and
has watched the activities from the
sidelines as counselor.
1t. Nicholson said he wanted to
impress on the personnel the fol-
lowing: Attend drills every Thurs
day, be in uniform, bring code
speeds up to at least Is words per
minute, practice use of the type
writer and to study the communica-
ton instructions diligently.
1t. w. Croft Jennings, command
or of tha lnca1 ho ~ Roo onnn,pood
change in the training program
for the weekly Tuesday night drills.
Effective throughout July the pro-
gram will call for less emphasis upon
battle problems and more upon the
ever-present practical details of life
at sea. During the past month the
weekly drills have been arranged
so as to give each of the three
divisions battle problems every drill
night in order to give the division
commanding officers experience in
meeting new tactical situations and
the other officers and men experi-
ence in the teamwork required to
operate naval vessel as a battle
unit.
This emphasis on battle problems,
although extremely valuable. it was
explained by 1t. v. c. Royster.
necessitated a reduction in the
training periods allotted for gen.
eral instruction and training. Dur
ing recent months there has been
a high rate of turnover in both
the enlisted and officer personnel
as many of the most experience
men have volunteered for active
duty, both ashore and afloat with
the neutrality patrol AS a result,
1t was said, enlistments have been
heavy and a somewhat larger pro-
portion of enlisted personnel than
is usual are apprentice seamen.
For this reason the battalion officers
feel that, despite the value of the
battle problems, the unit as a whole
can prepare itself better for the
annual cruise in September by
shifting the training emphasis,
temporarily at least. y ''"i"f
Under the new schedule, more
time will be available for training
in the manual of arms, the emer.
gency drills such as fire and colli-
sion, lifeboat handling, first aid, and
instruction in naval customs and
the many varied subjects a knowl-
edge of which is important to a
modern man-o'-war man. Addi-
tional time will also be available
for advanced training of men in the
specialist branches. Depletion of
the ranks by the departure of ex-
perienced men for active duty has
created unusual opportunity for ad-
vancement, but all men seeking pet
ty oh1cer ratings are required to
pass strict, professional examina-
tions made up by the Navy Depart
ment. The shift in the training
progra mis- expected to materially
assist men in obtaining the training
necessary to pass these examina-
tions.
Whether this training program
will be continued through August
or whether the battalion will re-
sumo the emphasis on battle prob
lens as the cruise date approaches,
Is undecided.
Ohicers report vacancies exist in
all three divisions for promising
young men who are interested in
naval life. Men with special train
ing in civilian life, such as machin-
lists and electricians, are especially
desired but such experience is not
required. There are few vacancies
also In the officer personnel.
Under the present program of the
Navy Department for building up
reserves of naval officers for gen.
eral duty af1oat there are two ways
in which young men with no sea-
going experience can obtain re-
serve commissions as ensigns in
the line. Graduates of recognized
colleges. less than Is years of age
can obtain probationary commits
sions, if otherwise qualified. These
probationary ensigns, 1t was said
are required to study intensively
such subjects as navigation, seaman
ship and gunnery and pass a pro-
fessional examination within two
years from the date of appointment.
A system has also been developed
whereby young men with only two
years of college work may obtain
commissions by undertaking a
three-month training period, a
major portion of which is to be
spent at sea. Four hundred appli-
cants for these commissions sailed
from New York last week on the
U. s. battleship Wyoming. Appli-
cations for the training in WASH
ington area are being handled by
the Naval Reserve Office at the
Washington Navy Yord, OF which
Comdr. A. B. McCrary, U. s. NJ, is
in charge.
The training ship Of the local
battalion cruised down the Potomac
last week. manned by q crew from
the 3rd division, OF, which 1t. r. s.
Kirk is In command.
Smith, and s1S-month trustee, Mrs.
Mary Plumb; representatives to the
State Council sessions. H. M. Beall.