After overhaul at Mare Island, "Simpson" joined Destroyers, Battle Force, at San Diego, California on 28 September 1932 and conducted fleet exercises and training along the U.S. West Coast during the next several years. During night exercises in a fleet problem off Guantanamo Bay, "Simpson" collided with , on 7 May 1934, and she underwent repairs at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and summer training at Newport before returning to San Diego on 10 November. She then resumed training with the Pacific Fleet and participated in fleet maneuvers ("problems") annually in 1936, 1937, and 1938.