Naval Officer Appointments

[Dave Wilma]

I assume that the USN was like the US Army in that there were officers in the regular establishment. As the navy expanded, was there a way to find and train new officers? Were they called reservists or given some other distinction from the regulars? Were there brevit promotions?

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

A program for Volunteer Officers was set up, and experienced sailors and commanders from merchant shipping encouraged to apply. Depending on their level of experience, they entered as Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Acting Volunteer Master, and Acting Volunteer Ensign. A limited few were promoted to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Commander. These acting commissions were for the duration of the conflict. There was a move to offer some of the most outstanding among them positions in the regular Navy, but I can't recall if any offers were actually made; there was a surplus of officers after the war already.