Evening star., 1942-08-30
Strict Regulations
Causing Loss Of
Trained 5eamen
Naval Reserve Officers
Said TO Reject Mony;;
WAVES EnIistments

Because young Naval Reserve ad-
ministrative officers are said to be
100 strict in accepting trained men,
1t was charged last week, many such
men are lost who are needed in
the Navy.
In one case last week a former
Naval Reservist, chief machinist's
mate, who had served in the Navy
in the last war, and who had been
on active duty on training ships
here, applied for return to the re-
serve as a commissioned chief ma
chinist. 1t was said he was told
that men of the last war were not
up to the modern developments. He
later applied for admission into the
Coast Guard and was accepted
Other similar cases were cited.
There are many trained Navy men
anxious to get into the service, but
the strict reading of the naval per-
sonnel regulations by the inter-
viewing personnel appears to be
hampering. Directing officers many
times do not get to review any of
these cases, because the files are
stopped. Many of these cases, it
is believed, would be settled favor
able to the applicants, on appeal,
and it is probable that interview
ing officers might be instructed to
give some leeway in borderline
| cases.
The case of the motorboatm tmen is
another example OF begging down
of the efforts to get sufficient men
| to man the small craft which the
Navy is turning out for patrol and
| other duties. For months the Navy
insisted on its regulations requiring
a college degree for such men.
But it was finally impressed with
| the fact that the best motorboat-
men were those who were engaged in
their water occupations and had not
had time to seek college degree,
and those with college degrees knew
nothing about the tasks of operat-
ing and plotting motorboats. Now
any one who has had any experience
with motorboats of more than Is
feet in length, and can pass the
physical tests, may be appointed.
WAVES Enlistments.
The local procurement office of
the Reserve expects to begin the en-
listments of WAVES about Septem-
ber 10, although it was said that no
specific instructions have been re-
ceived. This was explained by the
fact that the office is engaged in
commissioning officers who will
direct the new women's force of the
Naval Reserve. In addition to pro-
curing the officers Immediately
needed, they are recruiting women
for the class V-9, which is the
women's midshipmen group. These
are enlisted as seamen apprentice
which billet they fill for a month
when they are made Reserve mid
shipmen. and sent to take college
course of three months, upon the
successful completion of which they
are commissioned ensigns and as
, signed to regular duties.
Those accepted for the first
groups must have college degrees
. although those to be taken in the
enlisted branch do not have to meet
this educational requirement. Not
a few of those who take the aptitude
tests are falling down, and there i.
! still opportunity for others.
Those to be taken in the enlisted
branch are expected to be rated II
. the yeoman branch. In this grouI
will be stenographers, typlstS, nit
clerks, telephone operators ane
. others, and they will be eligible
I for transfer to naval activities any
where within the continental United
States.
S Commissions are open for younl
e men who can qualify for the ava
a ton volunteer special class. Thl
e is a group which will be assigned II
: air service activities ashore ant
n afioat to receive reports of aviator
= and make them up for higher au
n thority. The requirements for thl
also are a college degree. This fore
some months ago was opened t.
!, those without a college degree, bu
l" was later closed. and it is barrel
possible If enough college men ar
or not obtained that it may be neces
,r sary again to relax the require
l. ments.
III With the large number of school,
"a which are now being operated b
the Navy for the indoctrination an
ID instruction of the large groups c
ar Naval Reservists being commissions
l. in the service, the Navy is lookin
for men who have had some teach
ing experience in addition to havin
their college degrees. Those VIII
ay can teach in any subject are beir
yh urged to make application at tt
local procurement Office.