Office of the Superintendent/Records of Reserve Training Groups: Personal History, Conduct, and Aptitude Records of the 12th Group of Reserve Midshipmen, 1945: Finding Aid

History of the Reserve Training Groups: World War II, 1941-1945

Twelve groups of naval reservists were admitted to the Academy from February 14, 1941, to April 30, 1945, to received approximately 4 months of training as midshipmen in preparation for duty during World War II. The earlier groups were composed of V-7 reservists who were admitted to the Academy for 1 month of elimination training prior to being appointed reserve midshipmen. After appointment, the reservists underwent 3 months of engineering training and drills at the end of which they were commissioned as ensigns in the line of the Naval Reserve and ordered to active duty. With the exception of the first group, reserve midshipmen at the Academy received training only in engineering duties. The later reserve groups were made up of V-12 reservists, who usually underwent pre-midshipman training at one of the colleges or universities participating in the V-12 program before coming to the Academy for 4 months of training. Reserve midshipmen were housed in Bancroft Hall and were organized into a unit known as the "Reserve Battalion," under the general supervision of the Reserve Battalion Commander, who assisted the Commandant of Midshipmen in coordinating all matters pertaining to the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School. In addition to the reserve midshipmen classes, training was also offered at the Academy to classes of the Reserve Officers' Training Schools and V-5 instructors' classes. Records regarding this training have been maintained with the records of the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School.

Description of Contents

This entry contains personal history, conduct, and aptitude records of the 12th group of reserve midshipmen. These files contain the personal histories of reserve midshipmen and their aptitude and conduct records during their four months of training at the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School. Reserve midshipmen completed the personal history portion of the files. The files also document the marks received during the indoctrination period and first and second terms of the training course in electrical engineering, marine engineering, and ordnance. Front and side-view photographs of the reserve midshipmen in uniform are attached to each file.

The files usually contain a checklist evaluation of the appearance, manners and bearing, speech, personality, and attitude of the midshipman, completed during an interview with an officer attached to the academy, and "Estimate of Aptitude" cards that were submitted by officers at the academy. According to the regulations of the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School, each officer who had the opportunity to observe the behavior and work of a reserve midshipman was to complete before the end of the month an aptitude estimate of that midshipman to be sent to the head of his department for forwarding to the commandant of midshipmen. These estimates formed the basis for determining the aptitude rating of each reserve midshipman for fitness to serve as an officer of the U.S. Naval Reserve. The school rated midshipmen on such traits as attention to duty, industry, judgment, initiative, force, leadership, cooperation, loyalty, and bearing and dress.

Arrangement

Arranged by designation of company (A or B) and thereunder alphabetically. Reserve midshipmen with surnames beginning with letters from A to K formed company A; those with surnames beginning with letters from L to Z formed Company B.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

Generally, materials produced by Federal agencies are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. Any non-government publications held herein may still be subject to copyright. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

Other Finding Aid(s)

National Archives Catalog entry available electronically at: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/3074307.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Custodial History

RG 405 Records of the United States Naval Academy is the property of the National Archives and Records Administration. The materials are housed at the United States Naval Academy, William W. Jeffries Memorial Archives, an affiliated archive, as per a Memorandum of Agreement between the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Naval Academy.

Related Materials

Location of Related Materials

Additional materials pertaining to Reserve Training Groups at the academy during World War II may be found in entry 133: “General Correspondence, 1941-1945” (NAID: 3074207); entry 134: “Appointment and Health Records, 1940-1949” (NAID: 3074243); entry 135: “Appointment and Health Records of Naval Reserve Officers Assigned to the Second Naval Reserve Officers' Training School, 1941” (NAID: 3074262); and entry 136: “Memorandums, Press Releases, Programs for Commissioning Exercises, and Other Papers, 1941–1945” (NAID: 3074270).

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Office of the Superintendent/Records of Reserve Training Groups: Personal History, Conduct, and Aptitude Records of the 12th Group of Reserve Midshipmen, 1945, RG 405.2.4 Entry 137

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the historical note:

Sweetman, Jack. The U.S. Naval Academy: An Illustrated History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute Press, 1979.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Samuel Limneos in April 2023. Finding aid written by Samuel Limneos in May 2023. Historical Sketch and Scope and Content Note adapted in part from Inventory of Records Group 405 by Geraldine N. Phillips and Aloha South, 1975.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Midshipmen -- Moral and ethical aspects -- United States
• Naval education -- United States.
• United States Naval Academy -- History – 20th century
• United States Naval Academy -- Students.
• United States Naval Academy. Superintendent
• United States Naval Academy -- Students – Discipline
• United States. Naval Reserve -- Officers.

Genre Terms

• Personnel records