Evening star., 1941-02-09
Naval Reserve
Starts Preparing
For Annual Tests
Two Local Divisions
Inuugurute Training
For Visit Of Bourd

For Visit of Boord
The two divisions of the District
United States Naval Reserve which
still remain in an inactive status
made preparations last week for
the annual inspection.
While the local battalion reached
first place in efficiency among the
battalions of the country last year,
the top-notch division of the To-
cal outfit has already been called
to duty. However, the two remain
ing divisions received very high
marks and helped materially to
bring up the marks for the whole
battalion which resulted in its OBJ
tanning first place.
While no official word has been
received from the Navy Department
that the inspection board would be
sent around this year, there is a
belief that the department might
want to continue its check of dlv1-
sions throughout the country which
have not yet been called to active
duty. At least, it was explained,
there may be the purpose of aScer-
tanning that they are keeping up
their efficiency records and not
standing by in the hope that they
will be soon called into the service.
The question of the annual IN
spectionS also raises the question
In the minds of many of the local
reServiStS as to whether there will
be any cruises this year for those
members of the Reserve who still are
on the inactive list. But it is pos
sible that the Navy may find some
duty for them at sea before the
time for the cruise rolls around.
Members of the Organized Reserve
are required to take one annual
cruise a year in order to maintain
efficiency.
Furthermore, the work done on
the annual cruises counts in the final
figures on the annual inspection.
The reports from the regular officers
aboard the cruising ship are studied
by the Inspection Board in connec-
ton with the marks they give each
division as a result of their direct
observations during the regular
armory inspection.
Although the Navy is changing the
status of a number of Reserve divi-
sionS throughout the country, the
local divisions, it is understood re-
main in the status of destroyer crews.
Some of these divisions are being
changed into harbor defense dlvl-
sionS. and they are being given Spe-
cial instructions along this line, be-
fore being called into the service.
Local reserviSts expressed the
hope that they will be kept in the
destroyer class, and be sent to one
of this type of ships as was done
with the Sd Division which now IS
operating the Destroyer j. Fred Tai
bot in the Caribbean. However, in
the event of need the divisions may
be broken up and the men sent to
ships of other types, wherever the
Navy needs them.
The transfer of the status Of some
of the divisions to that Of harbor
defense, it was indicated, probably
means that they will be trained to
handle the motor patrol boats, in
GLIDING the newly developed high
speed torpedo boats which 1t is
planned to use for off-Shore patrol.
Most of the men have been trained
in their local areas in plotting and
are thoroughly familiar with the
waters, having operated their train
ing vessels in them. But, 1t was
explained, assignment to this duty
does not mean for the reservists the
mere operation of a motor boat, but
that these vessels will act in f1otillas,
which involves high skill at ma
neuvering and in other exercises in
volving the efficient use of the YES
sels in time of an engagement.
Naval Reserve officers, while on
active duty, are barred from serving
private firms or corporations in a
consultant capacity, where the firms
are selling supplies to the Govern
ment. 1t was pointed out that a
statute prohibits the use of any
funds appropriated by Congress to
any Navy or Marine Corps officer
on the active list. employed by any
person or company furnishing naval
supplies or war materials to the
Government. Furthermore, it was
said, the appropriations cannot be
used to pay retired officers who Tor
themselves or others are engaged in
selling or negotiating to sell sup
plies to the Navy. The Judge Ad-
vocate General of the Navy has
ruled that these statutes also apply
to Naval Reserve officers on active
duty. 1t seems apparent, he said,
from a review of the statutes that
if a Reserve officer, while employed
on active duty, should contempo-
raneously be employed in any ca
pacity by person or company fur
nishing supplies or war materials
to the Government, that naval ap-
preparation would not be available
for his pay and such employment
is held to be unlawful within the
meaning of the statutes.
Promotion of Naval Reserve Off
GERS above the rank Of lieutenant
Gunior grade) will be held up for
the time being, the Navy Depart
ment announced because of the fact
that new regulations are being
formulated, both for those on the
active and inactive lists, during the
current emergency. Promotions,
however, will be permitted to COM
mander and captain, where the rec
concentrations have been made by
selection boards.