The advent of the year 1940 found the United States Marine Corps in the midst of the greatest peacetime expansion program in its history. An extensive recruiting program inaugurated the previous fall was proceeding at a rapid pace; and on February 14, 1940, the strength of the Marine Corps reached its goal of 25,000 enlisted men.
To absorb this increase of 7,000 enlisted men, the Marine Corps continued the expansion program instituted for the Fleet Marine Force, increasing the strength of this military arm of the U. S. Fleet by bringing it to a new authorized strength of 16,000 enlisted men. In addition, the Marine Corps continued its organization of four defense battalions and augmented the strengths of Marine Detachments serving in Navy Yards, as Naval activities were greatly increased. As newly-constructed cruisers and aircraft carriers were put into commission, Marine Detachments were formed for assignment on those vessels.
In May 1940, in conformity with the increasing need for greater land and naval forces, the Congress appropriated funds to further increase the strengths of the military and naval establishments of the country. This gave the Marine Corps an additional 9,000 enlisted men, bringing the authorized strength of the Corps to 34,000; the largest it has been since the last war.
As a result of this latest increase, the Marine Corps contemplated the organization of an additional infantry regiment and an artillery battalion to be stationed on the East Coast, and two infantry battalions and one artillery battalion to be stationed on the West Coast. Two more defense battalions are also contemplated which will give the Marine Corps six of these highly trained special weapons battalions for use against land, sea or air forces.
To bring the Marine Corps to its desired strength of 34,000 enlisted men, but at the same time retain its maximum degree of efficiency, the Marine Corps continued to recall and assign to active duty Fleet Marine Corps Reservists and all junior Marine Corps Reserve officers who volunteered for active duty. Those retired officers who expressed a willingness to serve and who were possessed of specific qualifications were taken back to assist in this expansion by affecting the release of active officers for service with combatant units. In September 1940, the Marine Corps was authorized a further increase to a strength of 38,600.
The program of intensive training inaugurated for the Fleet Marine Force in 1939 was continued in an effort to absorb the new units of the Force without impairing in any way the traditional 'minute-man' effectiveness of this Fleet arm. As part of this training program, the First Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force, normally stationed at Quantico, Virginia, departed on October 13, 1940, for its annual maneuvers, this time to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Outside the continental limits of the United States, Marines continued on duty in Shanghai, Peiping and Tientsin, China; Cavite and Olongapo in the Philippines; Hawaii, Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, Panama Canal Zone, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Alaska.
To augment the regular Marine Corps in the event of war, a program of building up the strength of the Marine Corps Reserve was inaugurated early in the year. Four additional reserve battalions were organized, bringing the total number of these units to twenty-three, stationed in twenty-one different cities throughout the United States. In addition, members of these units over thirty years of age were given the opportunity of active duty at a Navy yard or station near their homes. This program was designed to release younger Marines for the more strenuous duty of service with combatant units of the Marine Corps.
On September 21, 1940, the Marine Corps inaugurated a program whereby recent college graduates could qualify for commissions as second lieutenants in the Marine Corps Reserve. This special Platoon Leaders' Class soon attracted 1,200 candidates for commission from which group it is contemplated obtaining about 800 junior officers. This training course consisted of a three months' period of instruction after which those qualifying for commission would be given an additional six months' tour of duty with possible extension if circumstances warranted.
On October 10, 1940, in conformity with the policy of the Navy Department concerning the utilization of the personnel of the Naval Reserve establishment, the Secretary of the Navy ordered the mobilization into active service of the ground units of the Organized Marine Corps Reserve. Twenty-three reserve battalions, aggregating a strength of 197 officers and 5,597 enlisted men, were ordered to active duty with regular units of the Marine Corps. The mobilization was directed to take place on November 7, 1940.
On November 27, 1940, the Secretary of the Navy authorized the utilization of members of the Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve. This authorization placed 550 officers and 4,500 enlisted men of the Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve on a 'stand-by' status.
As the year drew to a close, the Marine Corps operated with over 14,000 more men than it did at the beginning; in addition to over 5,000 members of the Marine Corps Reserve on active duty. With numerous new stations, ships, and other activities, the Marines everywhere continued on the alert, safeguarding our national policies and possessions, and ever mindful of the important role they play in our National Defense program.
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