Evening star., 1941-11-23
Ranks and Ratings
Quiz Planned for
Naval Reservists
New Training Program
To Follow Stress on
Infantry Drill

InIOntIy OIIII
Members of the specialist division
of the District Naval Reserve are
facing a quiz session to determine
just what they know about the
ranks and ratings of the personnel
in the Navy. Many of them already
have been through specialist
school, and, according to some OF
the officers. have been boasting of
their knowledge. when again placed
under instruction at the local
armory. The session is expected to
show Just how well they profited
at the schools.
The men do not have real oppor-
tunity to become familiar with the
ranks and ratings it was said, and
do not get much practice in dis
tinguishing the markings on the
uniforms because very few OF the
thousands of officers and men on
duty in the Washington area wear
uniforms when on duty. This ap-
plies largely to the Navy Depart
ment. as the men on duty at the
Washington Navy Yard and the
Naval Air Station at Anacostia are
required to wear the uniform.
The quiz session will be conducted
by 1t c. A. Meyer.
instruction Plan Changed.
A change in the instruction plan
for these Reservists, who have been
given a rather steady workout in
infantry drill and landing force
will be started this week. According
to the officers, they have done so
we'll in this training that they are
in shape to make a fine showing
in the event that they are called
upon to participate in any parade
or public ceremonies. A consider
able amount of the development is
attributed to the aid given ia the
instruction by those in the Naval
Academy division, who have been
assigned to the specialist division
as apprentice petty officers.
All of them came into the division
after an eight weeks course at the
Naval Training Station at the Naval
Operating Base at Hampton Roads,
Va. and were able to fill IN as
petty officers for the others who
had been taken directly into the
service from civilian life because
Of some special qualification which
made it possible for the Navy to
use their services, without the prece-
dent of military training.
The divisions will devote practl-
cally all of their time to armory
instruction. Next Thursday 1t. H
Arthur Lamar. commander OF the
training activities. will give a lee
ture on some feature of naval work,
and Ensign P. H. Bradley will give
the Naval Academy Division instruc-
ton in signaling. including the use
Of signal flags, semaphore and Morse
code.
Openings for Engineers.
Local Reserve headquarters re-
ported there is a great demand IN
the Naval Reserve now for young
men with mechanical training for
service in the ground crews OF the
air forces and that young men with
an education as aeronauticel engi-
neers are desired. Even those who
are studying along this line who
are now in college can obtain pro-
bationary appointments as enslgns
in the Naval Reserve. They will be
taken while they are in their thirc
and fourth year in college. The fact
that they are probationary enslgns
in the Naval Reserve will protect
them from the Selective Service
Act, so they will be able to finish
their engineering courses. On grad
uation from the schools, they vii
then be issued commissions in tht
Naval Reserve, and ordered to active
iuty in naval activities ashore anc
afloat
In this connection a board o.
officers will convene here about Feb
ruary l to select naval aviators ir
the United States Naval Reserve
and United States Marine Corp!
Reserve for transfer to the line o.
the regular Navy. Selections will b.
made from a list of recommended
applicants.
Those whose applications are ap'
proved will be appointed in ths
regular establishment in the sam,
grades which they occupy in tn,
Naval or Marine Corps Reserves
Applicants should submit their ap
plications through the commanding
officers under whom they are serv
. ing. or through the commandant o
i. the naval district in which thei
records are carried. The applica
tions must be in the Navy Depart
ment by January !.
In order to be eligible, al
applicant must be less than 2
years of age on June 80, 1912
must have had not less than i
l months of continuous active servic
by that date and must be capabl
| Of meeting the moral, physica
, mental and professional require
ments demanded by the Navy.