Evening star., 1942-06-28
Naval Reserve
Applications Have.
Fallen 0HHere
Lowering Educational
Requirements Moy Be
Found Necessary

There was a distinct falling off
In the number of applicants for
commissions in the Naval Reserve
here last week, according to those
in charge OF the procurement Of
fees. which is causing some concern.
Officers were unable to definitely
say what was the cause. Some be-
heved it might have been due to
the gasoline rationing, which pre-
vented young men from coming here
from nearby communities, while
others believed that it might be
due to the fact that the saturation
point has been reached in the avail
able manpower plus the high edu-
cational requirements which have
been held up in the most part for
Naval Reserve appointments.
If the situation continues. it was
said, it might be necessary to lower
the educational requirements. 1t
was said only recently the Navy
has had to cut down the educational
requirements for those to be trained
for aviators. The first requirement
was a college degree, back in the
defense preparatory stage, then 1t
was reduced to the two years of
college and, finally, only few weeks
ago. the limit was placed at high
school education.
Many of the men with a high
school education and even some col
lege training could not pass the
physical requirements for aviators,
but would have Sufflcient physique
to be able to obtain commissions
for other branches of the service.
College Men Sought.
The procurement Office is search
ing local colleges for men who are
in their last two years for appoint
ment as probational ensigns in the
Reserve. During this period they
would be allowed to remain at school
to obtain degrees, with a permanent
appointment in the Reserve Corps
as soon as they graduated. The
enrolment of such officers is being
mapped out to provide continuous
reservoir from which men will be
drawn each year.
It was explained if the conditions
became increasingly more serious, 1t
might be even necessary to draw
them before their courses are COM
pleted It was said in the event
that the educational requirements
are lowered there are undoubtedly
hundreds of men who would leave
schools and colleges voluntarily in
order to get into the service. Only
the requirements for commissions
Is keeping them from the service
and in the schools at the present
time, it was added.
Procurement Offices said the Navy
Is in need of highly qualified buSl-
nessmen for assignment particularly
at the shore establishments for ad-
ministrative duties. They would be
commissioned in accordance with
their age, education and experience
in the business world. The age
range is between 81 and AZ years.
Trained Men Needed.
Trained men also are being sought.
These include those with boat eX-
perience. who have their own ves-
sells and have piloted them in waters
in the vicinity of their homes and
who have a working knowledge of
offshore navigation. Men with mill
tary experience also are being
sought, but it was said that for the
most part they must have college
degrees.
Men with shipping experience.
who can speak several foreign Ian
guages, as we'll as people who have
lived in foreign lands for long
time and are familiar with partlcu-
lar areas are needed. Another
shortage is in the number OF sur
geons end dentists.
For people who have been in the
naval Or naval reserve service before,
and who have had responsible bill
let's. even those in the last war,
might have their age limits waived
under certain conditions.
1t is expected a new class OF re-
serve officers will be formed here
about August l, when one OF the
divisions now training completes us
course. These classes are made up
Of officers who have entered the
service from civil life, because OF
special training, but who have had
no indoctrination into naval etl-
quette and procedure, as well as
some shipboard work.
In the formation of the new
classes, It was indicated there might
De a change in the commanding
omcer o1 the local unit, who Is
handling the local work in connec-
ton with his regular assignment.
IL was said probably one OF the
cmcers on duty at the Washington
avy Yard might be assigned e