COMPARISON OF OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY WITH THOSE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND JAPAN A9-10/00 (260717). NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, November 18, 1926. MY DEAR MR. BUTLER: In accordance with your request of July 17, 1926, the information contained in Document No. 13 has been brought down to date and is attached hereto. Sincerely yours, Hon. THOMAS S. BUTLER, Chairman Committee on Naval Affairs, CURTIS D. WILBUR. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. Table showing comparative personnel strengths Ece of Naval Intelligence, Navy Department. Information as of October 1, 1926. Japanese informa tion as of July 1, 1926] Regarding Dominion navies and India the figures relate to the following dates: Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, Mar. 31, 1926; South Africa, Aug. 31, 1926; India, as per R. I. M. estimates 1926-27. 116,041 recruits were enlisted in United States Navy; 6,862 recruits were enlisted in British Navy: Year ending Sept. 30, 1926. Percentage of officers and men afloat: United States, officers, 55%; men, 73. British Empire, officers, 35, men, 64.10. Japan, officers, 50; men, 60. British figures exclude those attached to harbor ships at be and abroad and are as of June 15, 1926. Japanese figures are estimated. Does not include 188 cadets undergoing training in battleships and battle cruisers. Does include 125 naval constructors and 75 civil engineers. Naval constructors and civil engineers do not hold commissions the British Navy but perform duties similar to those of naval constructors and civil engineers, United States Navy. Figures as of July 1, 1926. There were 675 officers and 6,100 men in Japanese naval aviation on Sept. 1,1926. Estimated. The Royal Air Force supplies a large proportion of personnel for naval aviation. The only strictly naval personnel in naval aviation consists of approximately 150 officers and 420 enlisted men which are not included in item (7) but are included under item (1); 677 officers and 3,798 men are employed in United States naval aviation exclusive of those for general service in aircraft carriers, tenders, etc. The figures shown for the Royal Air Force in item (7) are those attached to the coastal area headquarters for aircraft carriers, for flights abroad, etc. On Aug. 31, 1926, the total strength of the Royal Air Force was 3,447 officers, including 103 cadets, 28,560 airmen and 9,804 civilians and natives. Of these totals, 2,453 officers including 103 cadets, 20,809 airmen and 3,801 civilians were in home stations, such as Air Ministry, training stations, supply depots, manufacturing plants, etc., the duty performed being for both that portion of the air force detailed to fleet air arm and that portion serving in cooperation with the army and as a separate air force, a portion of this personnel should be considered in making a comparison. The total figures 4,154 was estimated to be comprised of 528 officers and 3,626 men all of whom are paid under British naval appropriations. In the United States and other navies similar duties are performed by regular officers and enlisted personnel except that an average of 100 civilians are employed under the United States Navy Department for yard craft, ferry service, barges, and lighters. French total includes 218 officers and 3,650 men in naval aviation. NOTE-The number of midshipmen under training is as follows: United States, 1,695; British Empire, 807 (includes 737 cadets and 70 engineering midshipmen); Japan, 774 (as of Oct. 1, 1925). Allocation civilians on mercantile or yard craft agreement for British Navy Percentage of sea transportation of fuel, stores, etc., for naval use which is done in merchant vessels or auxiliaries with mercantile marine crews: Oil fuel, 100 per cent in Government-owned auxiliaries with mercantile marine crews; nil in commercial tankers. Coal, 100 per cent in commercial vessels. Stores, 20 per cent in Government-owned auxiliaries with mercantile marine crews, 42 per cent in other Government-owned auxiliaries with yard craft crews; 38 per cent in commercial vessels. REMARKS ON ENLISTMENTS UNITED STATES Enlistments in the Navy are for 4 or 6 years. Extensions of enlistments may be made for 1, 2, 3, and 4 years. An examination of the enlisted personnel as of September 30, 1926, shows the following: Men with less than 4 years' service.. Men with 4 and less than 8 years' service.. 48, 897 20, 015 7,838 4, 650 1, 510 NOTE. The handicap which a short period of enlistment places upon a navy should be recognized in connection with this general comparison of personnel. The short period of enlistment in the United States Navy with its accompanying heavy turnover in men necessitates large items in cost and personnel to handle matters of recruiting, training, and transportation. As illustrating this point, the United States Navy has need of more than 800 enlisted men in the recruiting service. Great Britain with a relative small yearly turnover in personnel needs but 29. Different economic conditions in the two countries also bear upon the subject. Great Britain benefits by the longer periods of enlistments in reduced operating costs. Seasoned personnel in long enlistments require less steaming and gunnery exercises, less instruction at shore establishments and aboard ship, to maintain the same relative efficiency with a personnel in short periods of enlistments. Does not include 925 ratings lent to Dominion navies nor 190 Dominion ratings lent to Royal Navy. Character of enlistments in this force (1) Number of boys under training and boys (service) (2) Serving first enlistment of continuous service, viz, for 12 years_ (4) Special service, viz, 5 years, after which transfer to reserve.. 7, 380 910 57, 21, 350 431 2, 756 ROYAL MARINES (1) Number serving first enlistment of continuous service_ JAPAN 7, 639 2,657 54 Enlistments for all petty officers is for 10 years (6 years active, 4 years reserve). For other enlisted men the period is 12 years. For volunteers this period is 6 years active service, 6 years first reserves. For conscripts this period is 4 years active, 3 years first reserve, 5 years second reserve. In addition 15 officers on half pay, lent Dominion navies, or seconded for service with army. In addi. tion 98 men lent to Dominion navies. Japan has no force corresponding to the Marine Corps of the United States and of the British Empire. The guarding of navy yards, etc., is carried out by Marine police under the Minister of Marine. There were 850 marine police in 1924. No data for 1926. NOTE.-Patrol of shore stations is carried out by a special force-royal marine police, 10 officers, 367 men; metropolitan police, 528; (abroad) civilian police, 403. No regular marines are used for this duty. |