Evening star., 1942-01-18
D, T., Naval Reserve
Instruction Officers
Training Newcomers
Specialist Taught
To HondIe Arms,
Moneuver Units

The first of the newly commits
stoned officers, who are without any
prior military or naval experience,
reported to the instruction officers
at United States Naval Reserve
Headquarters in the Washington
Navy Yard last week. They were
started on their course which will
give them some indoctrination in
naval practices and procedure.
These officers have been taken in
as specialists because their civilian
work has fitted them for some par
ticular task in which the Navy can
use their services. They are not in
tended to be available for general
service in a sea-going capacity, but
officers at the department realize
they must have some knowledge Of
naval activities. in order that they
might carry on their work more
efficiently.
First, they were given some in
struction in handling rifles. Later,
they will be taught the manual Of
arms as we'll as how to disassemble
q piece and put it together again.
Then they will study infantry drill
and the handling of units in forma-
ton. It is likely that they will bs
given a period to observe the train
ing of the enlisted men who report
for drill each Thursday night, and
then they will go on to handle
nlatoons and companies in move
ment.
Taught Navy FOrmalities.
It was, found that many of the
new officers we're in need Of train
ing in the formalities of dealing
with officers above and below them
in rank and enlisted men.
The commissioning of reserve
officers as specialists may experience
a lull for a time, reserve circles
believe, particularly in the lntelh-
gence corps, because OF recent con-
gressional criticism.
There is possibility that new
Reserve group may be authorized,
which will accept men who must
have some disabilities waived, such
as age or physical ailments, which,
however, will not disqualify them
for certain types of naval work. 1t
is proposed to establish a group to
handle the guard duty around naval
stations and other establishments,
and thus relieve men from the COM
bat units now performing these
duties. Into this group would be
taken former veterans and others,
and they would be enlisted and COM
missioned, depending upon their ex-
perience and qualifications.
Candidates Still Flocking.
Men are still f1ocking to the Re-
serve in great numbers, judging from
the figures just compiled by local
Reserve headquarters. 1t was said
that since December until last
Wednesday 8,048 men had applied to
the local Reserve for either commits
sions or enlistment. Officers In
charge of interviewing are working
long hours each day. Not few, 1t
was said, who apply for commissions
but are denied because of some lack
IN their qualifications are accepting
enlistment, so anxious are they tc
get into the Naval Reserve service IN
some capacity. But there are still
many vacancies to be filled.
The Naval Academy division, COM
posed of young reservists who are
seeking appointment to the Nava
Academy, through the medium Of
the ranks of the Reserve. are start
ing ON the last stage Of their work
Oficers are checking the records Of
the men who drill each week at the
local school and attend local prepar-
atory schools to see that there Is nc
last-minute hitch. 1t was indicated
that competitive examinations which
will determine the selection Of can
didates will be held in May.
About that time also, it was ex.
planned, the local Reserve head
quarters will be accepting applica'
tions for other men with high schoo
sducations for instruction and train.
ng for the class which will enter th'
academy on July /, 1943. These mer
will be sent to the training station
for eight weeks active duty shortl!
after the first of next July, and theI
will be placed on the inactive list 81
that they may attend schools to pre-
pare them for the educational test
they must take to gain one OF th<
100 vacancies granted each year.