US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

132 Ampbibi&ns Cdme To Conqrzer
From: Captain R. K. Turner, U.S. Navy,
To: The Chief of the Bureau of Nmi~~tion,
Via: The President, Naval War College.
NAVAL WAR COLLEGE
Newport, Rhode Island, 8 November 1937.
Subject: Request concerning command assignment for next sea cruise.
1. There are several matters in connection with my next assignment to sea
duty which I desire to bring to the notice of the Bureau.
2. I will complete my normal tour of shore duty in the spring of 1938.
Assuming a two year sea cruise, followed by a normal three year shore tour,
I will not go to sea again until 1943. In that year I will have completed
thirty-five years of service since graduation from the Naval Academy. It is
apparent, therefore, that I am likely to have but one sea cruise in my present
grade before my class appears for selection to flag rank.
3. I have perf ormed duty in the Aeronautic Organization of the Navy since
1 January, 1927. If I continue in this Organization during my next sea cruise,
I will come up for selection after a period of sixteen years of continuous
aviation duty. Even though, during this time, my actual duties have been little
different from those performed by other members of my class, I believe that
my apparent lack of general line experience might operate to reduce my
chances for selection. Furthermore, a variation in duty at this stage of my
career would also tend to increase my usefulness as a flag officer, should I be
selected as such.
4. For the above reason, I request that during my next sea cruise I be
assigned to the command of a vessel not in the Aeronautic Organization. I
would prefer the command of a battleship; but if my seniority will not entitle
me to this assignment, I request command of a heavy cruiser. In either case,
I desire command of a vessel in the active part of the Fleet.
5. As I will have but one captain’s cruise, it must necessarily be at least bxo
years in length in order to establish eligibility for promotion. Because my total
sea service is somewhat less than the average for my class, and because of my
desire for a maximum of command experience, I earnestly request that the
Bureau permit me to remain at sea for as long as possible in excess of two
years.
6. This letter should in no manner be construed as indicating a lessening
of my interest in aviation, as such is not the case. In order to remain eligible
for aviation duty at a later period, I request that the Bureau continue in effect
my present designation as naval aviator.
R. K. TURNER