Conference repair::reserve_forces

    The US Navy Reserve will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on
    March 3, 1990. On March 3, 1915, Congress, fearing spread of the
    war in Europe, authorized the Navy Department to organize the first
    federal Naval Reserve. Since that time, Naval Reservists have served
    in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and most recently in the
    Persian Gulf.
    
    Congress is expected to pass, and the President sign, a joint
    resolution praising the Naval Reserve.
    
    Local Naval Reserve commands will be coordinating anniversary
    celebrations in their respective areas.
    
    Mark
    RMC USNR
    

    This was formerly note 30.0.
    
    The US Navy Reserve IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) FY90 Muster has
    been changed from a physical (i.e., on site) muster to a phone/mail
    muster due to budget constraints.
    
    I'll keep you posted.
    
    Mark
    RMC USNR

    A recruiter who shall remain nameless at a Naval Reserve Center
    which shall also remain nameless recently tried to interest me in
    the Navy Reserve's IMA (Individual Mobilization Augmentee - aka
    Cat. B Reserve) program. It sounded like a great deal; ACDUTRA is
    manadatory but you can drill or nor drill at your discretion - sort
    of an IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) only with a extra perks.
    
    If you old salts out there are thinking, "Nah, that doesn't sound
    like the US Navy we know," then you are correct. I checked the Navy
    Reserve's IMA program out with a nameless Yeoman at the same nameless
    Reserve Center and it turns out to be a somewhat different program
    from the Cat. B Reserve described by the recruiter.
    
    For example, a non-obligor (a person who has fulfilled their initial
    military obligation and is a true "volunteer") like myself could
    only stay in an IMA status for 12 months before reverting to, you
    guessed it, SELRES status (i.e., the drilling reserve). It is designed
    for people who have a temporary (the key word is TEMPORARY) drilling
    conflict because of civilian employment, hardship, or whatever.
    The result is recruiters who are not meeting their quotas may try to
    put the make on IRR sailors and entice them into the program WITHOUT
    telling them that within a year they'll be drilling again (whether
    they want to or not).
    
    There's one other item....NRPC NOLA is cautioning IRR sailors about
    transferring to either Cat B. or SELRES status unless they really
    want to. Reason: the Navy Reserve has made transfer from the SELRES
    or Cat. B to the IRR much more difficult than in the past (now you
    have to clearly demonstrate that drilling is a hardship - they don't
    just take your word for it anymore). You used to be able to transfer in
    a heartbeat - no more.
    
    So, IRR sailors, think twice before you sign any paperwork to go back
    to drilling status. If you change your mind and want to return to the
    IRR, you may not be able to.
    
    BTW, My body fat % was 26% - 4% too high (nop transfer to Cat. B
    or SELRES for me). I'll be working to get it down by 1991/1992 when IRR
    extension/re-up time rolls around.
    
    Mark (who wants to be a lean, mean, fighting machine again)
    RMC USNR

    While I don't have a super extensive lucky bag, I do have an assortment
    of crows (mostly RM), some hash marks (red), and various other sundry
    uniform items (like ribbons).
    
    Let me know what you're looking for and I'll check at home in the
    lucky bag.
    
    Mark
    RMC USNR

    The Annual Retirement Point Records are out and just a reminder
    to all hands to *verify* all your points so that ou don't have any
    surprises come the 20 year mark in your careers.
    
    And remember....whatever else you do, *do not* stop drilling at
    20 years unless you have an NOE (Notice of Eligibility) from Uncle
    in your hands or at age 60 you will have a surprise (an unpleasant
    one unfortunately).
    
    Mark
    RMC USNR

    This month marks the 75th anniversary of the US Navy Reserve. During
    that 75 year span of time, reserve sailors have served in every war or 
    major conflict in which the United States has participated....from
    convoying merchantmen across the Atlantic in 1917 to the beaches of
    Beirut in 1984.
    
    Winston Churchill said it best, "To be a reservist is to be twice
    a citizen."
    
    Mark
    RMC USNR

    Congratulations!                                                 
    
    How about telling us of some notable events during those 75 years.
    
    Dave
    RAF Rgt.

Here are some of the highlights from the 75 year history of the US 
Navy Reserve....

     -	The history of the Naval Reserve really begins in 1888 with 
     	the formation of the Naval Militia (sort of a seagoing National 
     	Guard). Naval Miltiamen will later serve during the 
     	Spanish-American War of 1898.

     -	With the possibility of US involvement in a European War on 
     	the horizon, the Congress of the United States authorizes the Navy 
     	Department on March 3, 1915 to form a federal Naval Reserve from the 19 
     	state Naval Militias in existence at the time.

     -	By the end of WWI, 30,000 Naval Reserve officers and 300,000 
     	enlisted men (plus 12,000 women "Yeomanettes") - sixty percent of 
     	the total active duty strength of the US Navy - will have served 
     	their country.

     -	During WWI, four Naval Reservists will be awarded the Medal 
     	of Honor (equivalent to the V.C.) and 315 will be awarded the Navy 
     	Cross for extraordinary heroism in combat.

     -	The Navy's only ace of the war was a Naval Reserve aviator; 
     	the first Naval Aviator credited with sinking a U-boat was a Naval 
     	Reservist; the first Navy pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft was 
     	a Naval Reservist.

     -	The Navy Reserve continued to serve after WWI and by 1938, 
     	with yet another European war a distinct possibility, there were 
     	11,380 officers and enlisted men drilling with the Navy Reserve, 
     	another 19,500 in the Volunteer Reserve (no requirement to drill), 
     	and 600 in the Merchant Marine Reserve.

     -	The USS Ward (DD139), a destroyer manned mostly by 
     	Reservists, will fire the first shot at Pearl Harbor against a 
     	Japanese midget submarine attemtping to penetrate the harbor's 
     	defenses.

     -	Navy Reservists served throughout the Atlantic and Pacific 
     	Theatres during WWII. By V-J day, 75% of the 300,000 officers and 
     	2.5 million enlisted men and women on active duty were Naval 
     	Reservists.

     -	More than 130,000 Naval Reservists served during the Korean 
     	War - 25% of the total active duty strength of the Navy during that 
     	conflict. 75% of the 8,000 combat sorties flown in a typical month 
     	of air operations in Korea were flown by Naval Reservists.

     -	During the Berlin Crisis of 1961, forty Navy Reserve Fleet 
     	ships and crews were activated along with 18 Air Reserve squadrons.

     -	In 1968, six Naval Air Reserve squadrons and two Reserve 
     	Seabee battalions were activated for a one year tour of duty.

     -	The first Naval officer to be awarded the Medal of Honor 
     	during the Vietnam War was a Navy Reserve chaplain.

     -	Navy Reserve support to the active Navy during the 80's 
     	included fleet logistics, plane guard, and combat SAR support to 
     	Mediterranean operations (including those in Beirut and Gulf of Sidra) 
     	and minesweeping operations in the Persian Gulf.

     -	In the '90's, the Navy Reserve is programmed to have 50 Air 
     	Reserve squadrons and 50 ships in the Naval Reserve Fleet making it 
     	one of the largest Naval forces in the world.

Quite a history in only 75 years....

    
    Still working a reunion for US Naval School of Pre-Flight 27-65.  Have
    located three Classmates out of about forty.  One is a civilian, the
    other two are still active - both four-stripers.
    
    Anyway, are there any VP Reservists out here who drill at NAS SOWEY? 
    I'm looking for a P-3 driver by the name of Pete Carpentier.  If he's
    still doin' this stuff, he would be either a Commander of Captain. 
    Last I knew of him, he was in a VP Squadron (92?), but that was 1972.
    
    He is a Maine native and in '72 was still living there.  I think he did
    his Active Duty time at Brunswick.
    
    I have also posted this in the Navies file.
    
    	Thanks,
    
    		Bill Tarmey

    I am looking for any information from anyone from the VP community
    regarding the 2nd mech/flight engineer programs in the naval air
    reserve. I was a SAR at SoWey from 1976-1984 where I served as an AE
    with both HS74 (an SH3 helicopter squadron) and VP92, but had to leave
    the reserves due to family and career responsibilities.  Now that thing
    are better on the home and work front I would like to get back into the 
    reserves again.  This brings me to my questions.  It is my
    understanding that there is a need for flight engineers and second
    mechs in VP-92.  Does anyone know what the requirements are for this
    program I hold a 2nd class medical from the FAA but could pass a 1st
    class so I think my physical condition is acceptable.
    
    
        *AGE- is there an age limit like for pilots
        *TIME LEFT IN SERVICE - I would assume that uncle wants to get a
         return on his investments
        *RECRUITERS- I"ve spoken to seem to evade my questions about this 
    program so I guess I need to go to the source, you reservists currently 
    serving in naval air.
    
    
                                  Thanks,
    
                                        Jack
    
    

    
    Have you tried contacting HSL74 directly? Go right to the source....
    
    HSL-74 often deploys on weekends with my ship ( USS Valdez FF-1096) out
    of Newport. I have the duty this weekend, but since we're heading to
    Norfolk to meet the ship and ride it back to Newport, I doubt that
    they'll be aboard. Otherwise I'd try to get some names for you.
    
    My take would be to S. Weymouth directly to HSL-74....
    
    

      
    
    Thanks,
    
    
    Thats sounds like good advice,I don"t know why I did not think of that
    myself.  
    
      Just as an aside, in some other notes I"ve heard a number of comments
    about guys in the air and army reserve talking about billets closing
    and billets being frozen.  Is any of this going on in the naval
    reserve.  Also, any substance to the rumors that NAS SoWey will be
    closing. The fact that it is the only Reserve Naval Air Station in 
    the northeast should carry some weight.
    
                                         
    
                                                Thanks in advance,
    
                                                           Jack
    
    

    How long ago were you in VP92? I've been flying as a comm operator
    since '76. Joined the squadron in '74.
    
    There is almost always a need for qualigied flight engineers. The
    problem with getting SelRes type engineers is the 36 week FE school.
    Once the school is completed, the FE trainee has 18 months to complete
    the squadron level training program. Without the school, and throughout
    the FE training period, you could fly as second wrench. I don't believe
    a second mech is required to be in training for engineer. For better
    information, contact AEC Dick Norris. He runs the Safety/NATOPS office
    at VP-92, and is responsible for the FE training program
    (617-786-2764). If Dick is not available, talk to AW1 Dan Haddox, Aircrew
    Training Supervisor (617-786-2697).
    
    As for as age is concerned, an aircrewman can continue to fly right up
    to retirement age, so long as he can pass his annual flight physical and 
    remain NATOPS current (passing open/closed book exams and flight check 
    annually).
    
    Tomorrow, 6/23, is open house at SoWey. The squadron will be staffed.
    Come on Down!
    
    
    Dick

    
    
      Thanks for the information that answers the questions that I had.  I
    got out of VP-92 in March of 1984 and was assigned there for about two
    years. I can't recall the exact date. I can see how 36 weeks of
    training could be a little hard to swing, but considering the way
    things are going at DEC lately they might be happy to have me off the
    payroll for 36 weeks. Well, I dont't have to worry about that for a few
    months yetbecause I already went to medical, and was told to shed a few
    pounds(quite a few pounds).  Well thanks again, Dick, I'll look you up
    as soon as I reaffiliate.
    
    
                                           Thanks,
                                                
                                                Jack
    
                                         

    Jack
    
    As far as billets going away within the VP community, I haven't seen it
    yet.  My squadron was reduced from 10 P3As to 8 P3Bs but we didn't
    loose any crews.  There is a serious need in the P3 community for
    Selected Reserve flight engineers.  I was on the FY-90 reserve high
    year tenure board in February.  Every P3 FE before the board received a
    two year waiver regardless of rating, rate or TIS.  There are 2 Sel Res 
    FEs in my squadron with over 35 years of service each.
    
    The P3 FE school is at ResASWTraCen, NAS Willow Grove, Pa.  Look me up if 
    you get there.
    
    
    AVCM Tom McBride - VP64
                                        

    
    
    
Dick Aiken asked that I post this.
    
A dinner dance will be held at the K of C Hall in Holbrook, MA on the 
17th of November 1990. Cocktails at 1800 with dinner dance from 
1900-2400. Tickets are $15.00 per person. Wives, husbands, girl/boy 
friends, gusets are welcome. RSVP by 6 Nov 1990.

Checks should be payable to: VP-92 Officers' Fund, sent to:

	CDR. R.V.Kollman	-or-	LT. Neil A. Clark
	C/O VP-92 Officers' Fund	VP-92
	8 Old Mill Lane			NAS South Weymouth
	Nashus, NH 03060		02190-5092

	603/882-5567			617/786-2764

    
    Funny coincidence or a classifier with a twisted sense of humor?
    
    Attended a class at SoWey this weekend with a fellow student by the
    name of DOSS ...
    
    His rate:  MS
                                                                    

    I called New Orleans (NRPC) the other day as I never got an annual
    retirement point statement for my anniversary year ending May 90.
    I suggest anyone who is "retired" do the same.  Seems office A isn't
    necessarily talking to office B down there in fun city.  The office
    that keeps my records didn't have a copy of THEIR letter to me telling
    me my request for retirement was approved.  They didn't have my 1989
    retirement point statement, even though I did.  They didn't have any
    points for drills or acdutra credited after May 90 even though I didn't
    retire till October, etc. etc.
    
    Its fairly easy to square away, but better to fix a problem now if
    there is one than when you need the money and are swinging from a
    rocking chair....
    
    Dick

    
    
    1992 is the 50th Anniversary of the SEABEEs