Evening star., 1942-03-22
Officers Drill Unit
Increases in Local
Naval Reserve
Some Criticism Of
Condition Of Unformsi;
Procurement Activities

The officers drill division of the
local Naval Reserve battalion is in
creasing in size, and it is expected
that it will grow as newly made Of
ficers are sent to it to receive some
naval indoctrination. Although some
officers have been sent to take the
training course, it was said any Of
ficer who desires to volunteer will
be welcomed.
Drills are held Thursday from
7:45 to $50 o'clock.
There has been some criticism OF
the unslovenly appearance on the
streets in uniform of some Naval
Reserve officers who have entered
the service. since the declaration of
war, and who have not been under
the strict uniform requirements
which are maintained aboard ship.
Officers aboard ship are held to
strict accounting in their appear
ance at all times, and must keep up
stl4ct example for tie enlisted
personnel who are checked both
aboard ship and when going on
shore leave.
Personal appearance is closely
watched by the local grill masters.
Regular inspections are held and
the deficiencies are called to the
attention of the offending officers
in the same manner as those in the
enlisted divisions at the organlza-
ton headquarters when the latter
iy,cnaotiooc
The officers are taught when. and
where to use certain peculiarly nau-
tical terms. Also they are given in
struction in handling the rifle and
in the various infantry movements,
SO that if called to sea duty they
would be able to handle division
of men aboard ship If at any time
they are assigned to that duty.
Later they will be given instruc-
ton in watch standing. and will
be taught navigation as well as
other shipboard duties.
Sworn for New Duty.
1t. Comdr. o. j. Gullickson, U. S.
NJ. retired. director of local Naval
Reserve activities, who recently was
selected for promotion to that rank,
was sworn in early in the week.
All of the officers procurement ac-
tivities of the naval air service
which formerly we're conducted at
the Naval Reserve Air Station at
Anacostia, D. c., have been trans
ferred to the new officer procure
ment division from the Washington
Navy Yard to 1920 G. street NV.
The only exceptions are the young
applicants for enlistment as avia-
tion cadets for training to become
Naval Reserve officer aviators.
Hundreds of men are applying
daily for appointment to commits
sions in various ranks of the Naval
Reserve. Each is interviewed by the
corps of officers. There are many
reflections. either because of the
lack of an educational background
sufficient to gain a commission or
because of apparent inaptitude for
the sea or for naval officers duties.
Not a few are rejected for physical
reasons, even though qualified
otherwise. most because of eye de-
ficiencieS.
The Navy is working on a pro-
curement program to commission
$4,000 Naval Reserve officers by the
end of the current calendar year.
Many of these will be specialists,
that is men whose educational back
ground and even civilian work ex-
perience has fitted them for duties
in the naval service, particularly in
administrative jobs where they re-
lieve. after a period of training,
trained personnel whose services are
much needed aboard the surface
ships and in the air.
A new class now being sought is
known as deck volunteer proba-
tionary.' the candidates for which
are to be sought from young men
in the senior and Junior years of
colleges, and who are engaged in
taking business administrative and
accounting courses. The age limits
for this group is from 10 to rs, and
the applicants must be unmarried.
But although given a probationary
commission they will be allowed to
finish their college course before
being called into the service.