Evening star., 1952-08-29
Only Navy Is Forced
To Denote Officers,
Service Survey Show,
By John A. Giles

The Army, Air Force and Marine
Corps will not have to denote any
oficers-as will the Maybe
cause of a congressional ceiling on
ranks, a survey showed today.
However, temporary officer pro-
motions, especially in the lower
grades, will be slowed down and in
some cases halted during the bal
ance of the calendar year in all
services.
Demotions Due in Navy.
The Navy announced earlier this
week a substantial number of
lieutenants would have to revert
to the rank of lieutenant, junior
grade. Off1ciels figured today that
some 8.738 lieutenants who re-
ceived that rank in the 1851 fiscal
year faced such demotions, but
they still could not say the pre-
else number to be affected.
No demotions in any grades will
be ordered until it is established
there are strengths after
April I. The restrictions do not
become effective until then. Re-
leases to inactive duty likewise
will be held up. Nor does the Navy
plan to promote officers before
April /, If there is any chance it
will have to reduce them later.
An amendment to the Military
Appropriations Act by Representa-
tive Davis, Republican, of Wis
'consin, based the grade or rank
percentages on average military
strength throughout the fiscal
year. Each rank was given a GER
tain percentage and. for the most
part, the higher ranks are not
affected.
Army Comments on Rider.
However. the Army said the
Davis rider reduced "the number
of officers authorized in the higher
grades (generaD below the mini
mum actual requirements of the
Army and retards the temporary
promotion of many highly quail
fed and deserving Army officers
who were selected for promotion
over a year ago.
"The amendment will not
Inecessitate the reduction of any
Army officers since sufficient
vacancies are being created by the
return of officers of the Reserve
Icomponents to civilian life" the
Army added.
The Air Force foresaw no de-
motions but, at the same time, il
will permit no more temporary
promotions this calendar year ex.
cept a few colonels to general Of
ficer grades. The temporary
promotions will be brought about
by accumulative vacancies anc
attrition.
The Marine Corps said it woulc
not be necessary to denote any
officers "but officer promotion.
will be slowed down through June
30. 1883"
It added that "by using a con-
servative promotion plan, the
corps is in the fortunate position
of actually having vacancies in
nearly all grades but that of ma
jor and will not be freed to reduce
officers in rank Of release Reserve
officers"
All Services to Appeal.
All services plan a concerted
appeal to Congress in January
for amendment Of the provision.
National guardsmen not in Fed
eral service and reservists not on
active duty are not affected.
The Navy said the law would
have no effect upon promotions to
the grade of rear admiral. It was
in the higher ranks that Congress
intended to place limits.
There will be no substantial
number of promotions from COM
mander to Navy captain this cal
endar year, and some retired cap
tains will have to be released.
That is the case also in the ranks
of commander and lieutenant
commander.
The Navy has on duty 26,099
lieutenants, 76.5 per cent of them
reservists. It said in instituting
the possible rank reductions, the
same percentage would apply to
Reserves and Regulars. There are
15,072 lieutenants. Junior grade, on
q ctiva dyIfu