ADDITIONAL R. O. T. C. UNITS The Naval R. O. T. C. units are undoubtedly the best source of Naval Reserve officer personnel. Legislation enacted in the first session of the present Congress authorized an increase in enrollment from 1,200 to 2,400. Under this authorization, the establishment of five new units is planned, and these estimates provide funds for their establishment and first year's operation. It is intended that this organization provide Reserve officer personnel for the Navy in time of emergency. The founding of these additional units is a very important step toward national security. Second only to the primary mission of supplying Reserve officers is the splendid medium which the Naval R. O. T. C. supplies for better acquainting the civilian population with the spirit and necessity of naval preparedness. Mr. UMSTEAD. Admiral, I believe the institutions in which there is now a Naval R. O. T. C. unit are Yale, Harvard, Northwestern, Georgia School of Technology, Washington, and California. Admiral ANDREWS. That is correct, sir. Mr. UMSTEAD. Have additional institutions been chosen yet? Mr. UMSTEAD. When will they be selected? Admiral ANDREWS. Very shortly, sir. Just as soon as this bill passed, or prior to the passage of the act, anticipating its passage to a certain degree, I corresponded with a good many presidents of universities, looking into what they have, what facilities they have to offer. Then I sent Captain Yates, of my Department, to visit these different universities to find out whether or not they wished R. O. T. C. units, whether or not their facilities are such that we could place a unit there, and whether or not the curriculum would be such that the student could get sufficient credits for taking these courses. All of that information is coming into my office, and as soon as we obtain it we will consider it carefully and present it to the Secretary of the Navy for a decision as to selection of these five universities. Mr. UMSTEAD. Do many institutions desire this R. O. T. C. unit? Admiral ANDREWS. Yes, sir; there are quite a number of them. TIME REQUIRED TO QUALIFY NAVAL RESERVE OFFICER Mr. PLUMLEY. Admiral Andrews, I notice you say here that additional officers and men are required for the conduct of a war. Then you say: It is not expected, however, that they can be trained for active service and turned out in any appreciable numbers in less than 4 months. Admiral ANDREWS. That is correct. Mr. PLUMLEY. You mean it takes 4 months to find out whether they are qualified for service? You do not mean it takes 4 months to make an officer? You do not mean you can make an officer in 4 months? Admiral ANDREWS. No; we do not. It requires that length of time for a minimum amount of instruction to make them useful on board ship. As a result of recent detailed studies remedial legislation for the organization and administration of an adequate Naval Reserve has been drafted. The Naval Reserve Act in 1925 was in general excellent legislation and its basic principles remain unchanged, but cer tain minor defects have become evident during the 10 years of Naval Reserve administration under its provisions. The revised legislation will be referred to the Congress, for enactment in such form as may be deemed appropriate, as soon as its conformity with the President's program can be ascertained through the Bureau of the Budget. CURTAILMENT OF NAVAL RESERVE ACTIVITIES AS RESULT OF ADMINISTRATION RESERVE Mr. THOM. Admiral, I notice in the list of funds administratively reserved an item of $600,000 under the Naval Reserve. From what things is that money withheld that you wanted to do for the Naval Reserve? Admiral ANDREWS. You mean that is the reserve fund which, by reason of the President's order, was held up? Mr. THOM. Yes. Admiral ANDREWS. We have curtailed the activities of the Naval Reserve to a great extent, which we thought and we still think are absolutely necessary. The training, for instance, of men both aboard ship and in aviation was greatly curtailed. It was very essential, but we had to cut it down. The $600,000 is the total of different items which we have cut in compliance with the President's order. A large percentage of this amount has been made in reduction in aviation training. Mr. THOM. Did we not last year for the first time give you some money to train merchant marine officers? Admiral ANDREWS. Yes, sir; you did. We have started that, and we have used that money. There are only a few merchantmen who have taken this training. We have used this small allowance with excellent results, not only reflected fine results to the Navy, but it has helped materially the merchant marine officers and men." DATA ON OFFICER PERSONNEL Mr. UMSTEAD. The following tables will be inserted in the record at this point: Number of officers, commissioned and warrant, in the Navy as of Sept. 30, 1937 Number of officers, commissioned and warrant, in the Navy as of Sept. 30, 1937-Continued 1 Above figures include 4 (Medical Corps), 1 (Dental Corps), and 1 chief pharmacist, paid from Veterans' Administration appropriation. |