The Marine Corps Reserve is recruited, organized, administered, and trained under the same laws as the Naval Reserve. The classification of its personnel is similar, but somewhat less detailed. We have some minor classifications not required by the Navy.
Primarily, the Marine Corps Reserve is composed of active and inactive personnel. The Organized Reserve constitutes its active component and consists of 17 infantry battalions, 1 artillery battalion, 2 aviation service squadrons, and 10 scouting squadrons. These organizations are located on both coasts of the United States, in the Gulf states, and in the Great Lakes region.
The inactive Reserve is composed of two classes. The first of these is the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, to which are assigned all former enlisted men of the regular Marine Corps having 16 or 20 years' service, and a further quota of former regulars, both officers and men, having not less than 4 years' service.
The second inactive component is known as the Volunteer Reserve and is composed of officers and enlisted men subdivided into four classes as follows:
General Service Unit.—Primarily able-bodied, Young, and active personnel, available for combat service.
Limited Service Unit.—Personnel which, by reason of age or special qualifications, are not available for assignment to duty in the field.
Aviation Unit.—Which is, as the name implies, composed of specialists having a technical knowledge of aircraft or who are employed by commercial aviation.
Platoon Leaders Unit.—This unit consists of a special group of officer type college men who are trained for commission in the Marine Corps Reserve.
The aggregate strength of the Marine Corps Reserve, including all classes, is approximately 850 officers and 14,000 enlisted men.
It is probable that reserve personnel know far more about the life of the regular service than we do about the Reserve. However, a small but growing number of regular officers and enlisted men are beginning to have first-hand knowledge of the Reserve by their assignment as inspector-instructors of the various battalions and duty on the boards of observers which attend the annual encampments of reserve units to report on their general efficiency.
A study of the duties and mission of the Marine Corps indicates that its reserve branch is of far more significance and importance to it than are the Reserves of either the land or naval forces, because in time of national emergency there is no time nor opportunity for the Marine Corps Reserve to be given additional training prior to probable participation in combat. The duties assigned the regular Marine Corps in time of war are of such pressing and urgent nature, and require so many men, that we probably would be unable to fulfil our mission without augmentation by the Reserve.
An outstanding characteristic of the reservist is his morale, enthusiasm, and devotion to the service, in which respect he perhaps excels even the regular marine. Officers frequently spend more than the pay received for drills, in various projects for the improvement of their units, such as the purchase of guidons, pennants, drill trophies, furniture, pictures and decorations for their armory, and in one particular case, an ambulance for the medical detachment. On occasions men have been known to spend more on transportation to attend drills than their pay amounted to for such service.
The Organized Reserve
Initially, before a battalion of the Marine Corps Reserve is authorized and established anywhere, it is necessary for the community concerned not only to apply for the battalion but also to provide, free of charge to the Marine Corps, adequate armory space including company rooms, storerooms, drill halls, and small-bore gallery ranges, and to promise to heat and light the building furnished.
The armories furnished leave much to be desired in many cases. In those states, such as New York, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan, where provision is made for Naval Militia, and where our men have the double obligation of service to their state as militiamen and service to the government as federal reservists, we are well cared for. Splendid armories have been constructed which provide every facility and where, in addition, the men receive emoluments as Naval Militia.
In other places this situation does not exist. Instead, the Reserves occupy armories in condemned schools, the garrets of old office buildings, storage rooms in post-office buildings, the basement in a city hall, an old court-house building, and in one case, the old hulk of a merchant ship constructed during the World War.
At Texas City, Texas, the company located there has constructed its own armory. The town is public spirited and its good citizens donated a plot of land and gave funds for the purchase of building material. The armory was constructed by the company, working in the late afternoons and on Sundays and holidays.
Drills and Training
The period for drills and training for reservists is far less than is generally realized. A recruit of the regular service receives as much training in a month as a reservist gets in a year. Armory training Is divided into two categories: (1) Basic training for recruits; and (2) more advanced and progressive training for those men who have satisfactorily completed the basic training. Practically all drills .are conducted at night and take place under widely varying conditions.
The purpose of our training is to enable the men, first but not most important, to make a presentable appearance in street parades, and second, the most important, to fit them as far as possible for duty in the field, including the ability to use their weapons skillfully, knowledge of how to take cover and how to advance without undue losses, digging light field entrenchments, march discipline, and a practical, though limited, knowledge of first aid and camp sanitation, care of the feet, and maintenance of good health.
The outstanding characteristic of the regular marine is skill with the weapons with which he is armed, and it is realized that for the reservist, whose drill time is so limited, as much attention as possible must be paid to this important feature. Small-bore rifle ranges are provided, as far as practicable, at every armory. There is much variety in the types of these ranges. In some cases standard apparatus is available; in others the ingenuity of the battalion has developed necessary adjustments in equipment, salvaged to some extent from refuse dumps.
The most unusual indoor rifle gallery is on the old hulk, the U.S.S. Newton at Jersey City, New Jersey. Here the ship's funnel has been installed between decks in a horizontal position, with targets at one end and a shooting platform at the other.
The men devote considerable additional time to marksmanship outside the regularly scheduled drill periods. All battalions have been encouraged to enter teams and individual shots in small-bore competitions conducted by the National Rifle Association.
The armory training, in addition to the requirement that all members of the organization qualify with the small-bore rifle before firing service ammunition, also contemplates instruction in the various duties of the individual, the squad, the platoon, and the company, so far as the limited facilities permit—primarily close order drills and the rehearsal of extended order formations, so that during the summer training period attention may be given exclusively to marksmanship, extended order, scouting, patrolling, and similar instruction.
Summer training is conducted under varying conditions, desirable and undesirable. We prefer to train our Reserves at one of our large stations, such as the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia, the Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California, or at Parris Island, South Carolina, where opportunity is afforded reservists to mingle and associate with regular personnel. The reservists also prefer to be trained at these stations.
Field training is carried out along the following lines: At reveille, setting-up exercises with arms, followed by breakfast. To promote smartness in close order drills and in street parades, provision is made for troop inspection and parade before beginning other work. Following parade, during the morning of the first 6 days of camp, marksmanship instruction with the service rifle is provided on the range. In the afternoon there is further instruction and demonstrations with other types of infantry weapons. During the second week, field training is emphasized. This includes scouting and patrolling, security measures on the march and in camp, extended order, attack and defense, marches, and at least one overnight halt in bivouac. Time is provided for athletic contests and no ceremonies are held in the afternoon except on the last day of camp when various trophies are awarded to organizations and individuals, and when opportunity is given to high ranking officers and distinguished persons to review the troops.
Effort is made to avoid several of the handicaps that are normal during encampments. The most obnoxious is messman duty as a fixed job for a limited number of young men whose only recreation period is their two weeks at camp. Instead details are made daily so that all perform this necessary duty and recognize its importance. Similarly, instruction in guard duty is limited to a period of three hours every night when one company of each battalion takes the guard and each man performs a tour of one hour's duty on post. During the remainder of the day no regular guard is maintained. In its place a limited number of experienced old-timers are detailed as watchmen to safeguard the camp and protect it against fire and theft.
The artillery battalion is the only one trained at a regular station of the U. S. Army, and if it were possible to do more for reserve battalions than regular marine corps units do when their guests arrive, the fine artillery troops at Fort Hoyle, Maryland, would do it. They furnish guns and instructors, and provide every facility that their post affords for the comfort, welfare, and training of our men.
It is hard to realize the very difficult conditions under which the reservist normally carries on. At the armory, when you see a company formed for drill in our familiar uniform, composed of fine young men of the type usually found in the regular service, one does not realize that for most of their time all are strenuously engaged in making their living by long hours of toil, many of them married with families to support. The time devoted to drill and field training is nearly always made available by considerable personal denial and sacrifice. It is strange, therefore, when the time for field training arrives, that so many attend with enthusiasm and loyalty. This precious two weeks is their only vacation period during the year. What a temptation it offers to seek rest and relaxation with their families from the vicissitudes of life! When instead they give up this pleasant opportunity and go to camp, where they drill and sweat like "Her Majesty's Jollies," 7 hours a day, the service they render is beyond praise.
Aviation
Ten years have elapsed since the establishment of the aviation branch of the Marine Corps Reserve, and during this period the number of qualified pilots has increased from 21 to 175, with more than 20 student pilots now under instruction. Of the original reserve officers who were qualified as pilots in 1928, only 6 now remain and only 3 of these are flying officers. However, there is no dearth of old-timers, as a number of famous flyers have been commissioned and assigned to Marine Corps Reserve Aviation in recent years.
In almost every case at reserve aviation bases there are naval reserve squadrons as well as marine corps reserve squadrons. The landing fields are broad and level; there are adequate hangars for the airplanes; shops for their repair, quarters and clubs for the officers and enlisted personnel; fully equipped sick bays, and every other facility that is necessary for the accommodation of the flying personnel.
Attached to every reserve aviation base are ample veteran enlisted personnel, drawn from the 16- and 20-year men, who have spent most of their active enlisted service as aviation machinists, instrument repairmen, etc.
Reserve squadrons are also fortunate in having pilots with wide experience and training. Most of them are graduates of the Aviation Flight Training School at Pensacola, Florida, after which instruction they have been retained on active flight training in reserve squadrons for a further period of 3 years. To all intents and purposes, these officers are as experienced and well trained as regular officers. A number of these pilots are engaged by the aviation industry, either in the shops of commercial transport lines or as captains or co-pilots of the great transport ships regularly engaged in traffic from coast to coast, to the West Indies, to South America, and to transpacific ports.
Enlisted men of the reserve squadrons are, we might say, of two classes: the first, those whose regular business has to do with the maintenance, construction, and repair of aircraft; and the second, an extremely high type of intelligent, well-educated personnel who intend to make aviation their life work and who enlist in the Aviation Reserve to obtain this instruction without cost to themselves—a cost which, if obtained commercially from flying schools, would be prohibitive. As a result, the training and skill of reserve aviation personnel is superior.
At Kansas City, Miami, and Oakland, personnel is largely recruited from airplane mechanics who are specialists in engine overhaul, airplane upkeep, and instrument maintenance. At Seattle and Long Beach the reserve squadrons look to local aircraft factories for their men, and at Detroit, Mich., many are recruited from automobile plants. In other localities the personnel is drawn from local industries, selecting those with high school or college education.
When reserve aviation squadrons are undergoing annual inspection, anyone who has the opportunity to attend will be afforded a most interesting and thrilling afternoon. Initially they form as infantry, are presented to the inspecting officer, who examines rifles and equipment, after which they take up the more serious business of flying. Ships on the line are soon warming up and pilots stand by. When they take the air you may expect to see everything that can be done with an airplane; formation flying, acrobatics, picking up messages, bombing, and communication by radio.
Not only are the reserve aviation squadrons skilled in their own specialty, but they are remarkably smart and efficient in close order drill and the manual of arms. They compare most favorably With the best drilled marine corps reserve battalions in this respect. At Squantum, Mass., the instructor has made the work so interesting that many of the men have asked for extra volunteer periods without Pay in order to perfect their drill. They have developed one of the finest drill teams in New England, and as a result the squadron normally wins all competitive drills in which they participate.
The Fleet Marine Corps Reserve
The veteran personnel in the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve are invaluable in time of national emergency, for filling key positions and for supervision of training in marksmanship, close order and extended order drills, and other instruction for combat, as well as providing experienced key men for administrative duties.
At the present time former officers and enlisted men of the regular Marine Corps who have had four or more years of regular service are still carried in the Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve, and will be until such time as appropriations are made for their annual retainer pay, which at present is not available. It is estimated that this class of so-called "Assigned Men" will eventually reach a strength of 8,000 men, all of whom are young and readily available for service.
Volunteer Reserve
Personnel of the Volunteer Reserve are scattered throughout the United States and our American foreign possessions, without any restrictions as to their place of abode. Their assignment in the Marine Corps Reserve is dependent upon their place of residence. In the United States, Hawaii, the Philippines, and Panama, the territory is divided into reserve districts which correspond geographically with the long-established and well-known naval districts. The Volunteer and Fleet Reserve personnel in each district come under the control of the Reserve District Commander whose headquarters is at designated marine barracks normally located nearest to, or most convenient to, the headquarters of the corresponding naval district.
Contact with volunteer reservists is normally by mail through the Reserve District Commander to the latest given address of the reservist in question. These addresses are kept up to date as far as possible, and failure to make contact or failure to answer official correspondence is cause for disenrollment or discharge from the Marine Corps Reserve.
Opportunity for active service of officers of the Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve is rather limited, in view of the restrictions imposed by appropriations. It is not practicable to assign volunteer officers to active duty oftener than once in 4 years. No appropriations are provided for the assignment of enlisted men in this class to active duty.
The officer personnel of the Volunteer Reserve comprise a most colorful and talented group. Nearly all professions, except medicine and the ministry, are represented. They include journalists, authors, members of Congress, publishers, sports writers, motion-picture directors, aviation authorities, football coaches, newsreel photographers, mayors, police inspectors, cartoonists, small arms experts and rifle shots, judges, lawyers, civil and electrical engineers, and architects. There are also a number of former officers of the regular Marine Corps who have severed their connections with the regular military service.
The normal activities of volunteer reserve officers are limited by practically no military restrictions. They are required to take a physical examination only once in 4 years. Enlisted volunteer reservists are examined only when they re-enlist.
It may be a distinct surprise to the naval service to learn that volunteer reserve officers are required to make out their own fitness reports! These reports provide for a statement of what occupation or profession is followed and in what capacity; the number of employees under the direct charge of the person concerned; what schools and colleges have been attended, for how many years, and what degree has been received; what military training has been received or courses pursued during the calendar year covered by the report; what military reading, courses, and subjects have been covered; what articles, books, or speeches on military subjects have been written; and what correspondence courses have been completed. There is also an entry requiring the officer to state his physical condition and any serious sickness or injuries he has had. He is asked to state his activities in local community and civic affairs and what contacts he has had with military and naval organizations. He is also asked his preference for duty in time of national emergency; what his special qualifications are for such duty; his knowledge of foreign languages and his proficiency therein; what distinctions, medals, and honors have been awarded him, by whom, and when; and finally a statement of all prior military service on active duty. These data complete the reservist's part of the efficiency report. Further provision is made for the reporting senior, when he has knowledge, to express his opinion of the reservist's intelligence, judgment, initiative, force, leadership, tact, co-operation, loyalty, and other matters having to do strictly with the military service.
The reports submitted by volunteer reserve officers contain a surprising and valuable amount of information. They are quite frank in their statements and, to the great surprise of officers who review these reports, their remarks are not always favorable to themselves. In one instance a reserve officer reported his health as "only fair, due to a recent operation for hernia." Sometimes the comments are humorous in character. For example, in one case, in answer to the question "What contacts have you had with military and naval organizations?" reply was made, "None whatever except the usual handshaking contests that always occur when the American Legion or similar bodies gather." In some cases relating to veteran personnel who have seen active service in combat, the answers are almost indignant. To the requirement, "State all prior military service, active duty only," reply was made, "See my record with the Second Regular American Division."
Platoon Leaders
In recent years a vitally important group of young men have been enrolled in the Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve. This group is composed primarily of undergraduates from selected colleges and universities who are men of officer caliber. When enlisted for training and on application to proper authority, they are assigned to the Eastern and Western Platoon Leaders Classes where they are intensively trained each summer for a period of 6 weeks by designated regular officers of the Marine Corps. Normally, young men so selected are recruited from the sophomore classes. Their first period of training is carried out on completion of their second year in college, and a further period of training is given them on completion of their third year of college work. Upon the successful completion of these two periods of training, and if found physically qualified, they are commissioned in the Marine Corps Reserve after receiving their degree from college.
The procurement of platoon leaders is accomplished as follows: Detailed plans are made in the late fall or early winter for carrying out the recruiting plan at the various colleges and universities. Selected officers are detailed to carry out the recruiting. They make contact with the President of the Institution, the Dean of Men, the Athletic Director, and other appropriate functionaries, arrange for a time to make contact with prospective candidates, and after contact has been made and sufficient time has elapsed to enable those who are underage to secure the consent of their parents, the recruiting officer returns and makes the required enlistments. With him on his final visit is a medical officer who conducts the examinations. Having been regularly enlisted as a Private in the Marine Corps Reserve, each member of the Platoon Leaders Class is appointed a private first class. Later, each is assigned for training at Quantico, Virginia, or San Diego, California, depending on the usual residence of the man concerned.
In addition to college men, opportunity is offered Marine Corps Reserve Battalions to furnish quotas to the Platoon Leaders Class. No qualified reservist has ever been denied opportunity to attend this training because of limitation of quotas.
The course of instruction is intensive, is based on practical experience, and is prepared under the supervision of the Commandant, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia. It includes Drill and Command, Nomenclature of Infantry Weapons, Marksmanship, First Aid and Hygiene, Technique of Landing Operations, Scouting and Patrolling, Combat Principles, Field Fortifications, Military Topography, Communications, and Musketry.
Due to the intelligence and caliber of this high type of personnel and the intensive training imparted to them, they learn very rapidly. At the end of the training period it is difficult to identify them from men of the regular service.
As a follow-up to this system, further provision is made for the training of an advanced class for a third year's instruction. These men carry out a 4-week refresher course, after which they are commissioned and perform active duty with regular units of the Fleet Marine Force at Quantico, Virginia.
The plan for instruction of Platoon Leaders is also utilized to provide a certain limited number of outstanding Platoon Leaders for commission in the regular Marine Corps. Each year 5 per cent of those who have completed 2 years' instruction, whose average marks are 90 per cent or better, are recommended for regular commission. Those who receive the appointment are commissioned into the regular Marine Corps without further mental examination.
Conclusion
It only remains to say that the Marine Corps is deeply indebted to its younger brother, the Marine Corps Reserve; that every regular should take every opportunity to become better acquainted with this lusty and growing youngster, and use every means in his power to facilitate his progress and help him over the numerous rough places in his effort to perfect himself for service in time of national emergency.