Posted by Ron Carlson on September 18, 2008, 9:51 am
OK, I have a question.
I have recently been doing a lot of research for various individuals asking for information on the names of Armed Guard shipmates. In looking through Armed Guard crew lists I notice that the vast majority of the enlisted men and officers are designated as US Naval Reserve (USNR) not as regular Navy (USN). This seems to be widespread and common rather than being just a few isolated examples. Why is this?
Two possibilities come to mind. Perhaps those intending to make the Navy their careers, and especially if they had been in the Navy prior to the war, were considered regular Navy. Those who enlisted or were drafted into the Navy "for the duration" were considered Naval Reserve. If this theory is correct then presumably crew lists of ships in the fleet likewise would show most men designated USNR and only a relatively few (primarily more senior personnel) designated USN. I have not done any research on crew lists of ships in the fleet.
Or could it have been that Armed Guard personnel, for whatever reasons, were (perhaps arbitrarily) designated USNR while personnel assigned to the fleet were designated USN? In that case the crew lists for ships in the fleet would show most crew members designated USN, unlike the Armed Guard crew lists.
Does anyone know, or remember from personal experience, why Armed Guard sailors and officers were usually designated USNR?
Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Re: US Naval Reserve
Posted by Bob Tassinari on September 26, 2008, 3:20 am, in reply to "US Naval Reserve"
I joined the USN in September of 1942 and wanted USN. Unfortunately my eyes were deemed not up to snuff due to the fact that I had been a welder and somehow I had a temporary eye weakness. I was offered the chance to delay enlistment for six months to see what would happen but I wanted in so I was USNR. The Navy sent me to signal school so so much for my eye problem.
Re: US Naval Reserve
Posted by Roy Brown on September 19, 2008, 11:17 am, in reply to "US Naval Reserve"
I enlisted in the US Navy at age 17 in 1943. The enlistment, as I understood it, was for the"duration of the war plus six months. Whether that was correct, or just what my 17 year old mind understood, I cannot say! The enlistment was in the US Naval Reserves. Also, it may have designated : V-6 USNR. I'm just not sure. My mind is beginning to get a bit "hazy" about some stuff so long ago. (Of course all you "young" guys don't understand that!!! It is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day here in Richmond, Indiana. My wife and I have memories of 1936 when we had a summer that broke all records for HEAT. The temperature was 100 degrees or higher for MANY, Many days that summer.....THEN the following winter was ferocious! Huge amount of snow and very, very cold. We're sort of concerned that it may happen this coming winter because we had a rather hot summer. (However, it was NOT 100 degrees or more). Fall is our favorite season and it's coming on quickly. Leaves are starting to "turn" and there's a "feel" of fall in the air. We had vicious straight line winds here a couple of days ago...probably from "Big Ike". It surpassed anything we have ever seen. We are used to tornadoes around here but this was straight line wind at hurricane velocity!! Even here in Richmond we had a lot of damage to several buildings, light poles, autos, power and cable lines, and very many trees broken and UPROOTED. Our daughter lives in Cincinnati and they were without power for about five days. (NOTHING to compare with the damage and suffering down south so we aren't whining about it). God Bless all. Roy Brown
Re: US Naval Reserve
Posted by Fran Kent on September 18, 2008, 1:36 pm, in reply to "US Naval Reserve"
I wouldn't make book on it, Ron, but I suspect that most of the USN (Regular Navy) people either enlisted before the war or under the age of 18. The latter (including me) were taken in for what was called a minority enlistment to expire on reaching the age of 21. If the minority enlistment expired before the war ended, these people were automaticaly extended as members of the reserve (USNR) for the duration of the war.
An enlistee aged 18 or older was given the option of enlisting in the Regular Navy, which meant serving on active duty for a minimum of six years. Few chose this, although my older brother did, having been told (inaccurately) that Regular Navy people were favored as regards promotion.
To be sure, there were people in the Naval Reserve who were called to active duty when war seemed imminent, among them a SM2 I served with in the Armed Guard. Some of these men had gone into the Fleet Reserve after a hitch with, or upon retirement from, the Regular Navy.About officers, I could offer some thoughts but they would consist mostly of speculation.
This is far from complete, and may not be altogether correct, but I hope it's helpful.
Re: US Naval Reserve
Posted by John Bemiss on June 2, 2011, 10:54 am, in reply to "Re: US Naval Reserve"
My father went to Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy one of the first classes when the academy started. From 1942 until the end of the war he served on Liberty ships and he was classified as USNR officer
Re: US Naval Reserve
Posted by Al Burnham on September 18, 2008, 6:40 pm, in reply to "Re: US Naval Reserve"
My enlistment papers has all the category boxes mentioned including Fran's Minority box. The First Enlistment box is XX. The Reserve has a XX. After Class its V6 for 2 years. I enlisted with my mother's written permission. I could have signed up for the regulars or reserve. The regulars was for 6 yrs. The reserve was for 2 yrs. During war or Nat. Emer. both could be extended 6 months after the war or Emer. ended. Thats why you will see V6 on some. I wanted to sign on in the regulars for six yrs. My Aunt who I was staying with talked me into signing up in the Reserves and if I liked it I could always sign on for another six yrs. as all active service counted the same. I,m glad that she did. Not that I disliked the service as I,m glad I got the experience and was able to serve my country in time of need. Al
A Post Script
Posted by Fran Kent on September 18, 2008, 2:29 pm, in reply to "Re: US Naval Reserve"
Ron: I expect you would find that personnel on ships of the fleet would closely resemble that of the A.G. in terms of USN and USNR. You are correct in assuming that many senior people were regulars but, on the other hand, many reservists rose rapidly, not so much because they were brighter but because the Navy's expansion outpaced the availability of qualified Regular Navy personnel.