The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1919-05-02
ARMY AIR SERVICE TO
OPEN NEW SCHOOLS.

the Air Service as permanent COM
bat unit of the Army, as planned
under the proposed new Army bill,
the War Department has authorized
the enlistment of Is, 900 men for this
service and the Inauguration of adj
ditional schools is contemplated.
Men with previous service in the
Army, Navy or Marine Corps are &C
eepted for enlistment of one year, but
this particular branch offers better
opportunity to men enlisting for the
three year period. To be of real value
the men must learn some trade and
it is with this idea in view that the
establishment of three additional
schools is contemplated. At present
there is one school of mechanical
instruction, and one or two moro will
be established in the near future, as
well as various schools needed to
teach the many lines of work connect
ed with flying service. Naturally a
man cannot be taught trade in one
year and for that reason those en-
listing for the three year period will
be looked to to fill the non-commis-
stoned officer grades and become the
skilled workers. Some of the lines
of work covered by the Air Service
are: Radio mechanics, wireless tele-
graph and telephone, radio electri-
clans, airplane mechanics, aero motor
mechanics, propeller makers, fabric
workers, magnetic and tool makers,
metal workers, welders, coppersmiths,
vulcanizers, photographers, draftmen,
bench mechanics and cheuffeurs.
This is only a partial list, as experts
in almost every line of work will be
required to complete the personnel.
Therefore the chances of advance
ment in the Air Service are excellent.
A good bright, energentic and active
young man with inititave and force
should not remain private long.
The following table shows the chance
of promotion in squadron of $50
men, or rather it shows the number
of non-commissioned grades that are
available and to which men enlisting
in the Air Service con be promoted:
Master signal electricians.
20 Sergeants first class.
33 Sergeants.
48 Corporals.
IL Privates first class.
"a Privates.
OF $50 men there are ia non-com-
missioned officers. The rates of pay
range from $4,000 per month as pri-
vate up as high as $121.50 per month
for master signal electrician, ,avia-
ton mechanic. In connection with
this pay it must be borne in mind that
the man receives in addition to the
paid him, free clothing, free
attention, free room and
board, no loss of pay while sick, life
insurance at moderate rates, etc.
Under the proposed enlisted men
are to be taught to fly. In fact in
structions have already gone out to
the various flying fields covering con-
ditions under which enlisted men
may learn to fly. The main qualifi-
cation to determine whether or not
an enlisted man will be taught to
fly are physical qualifications, COM
bined with the necessary mechanical
knowledge that he must have before
he will be allowed to participate in
fights or allowed to be given instruc-
ton in a machine. These learning to
fly If properly qualified from an edu-
point of view, will be given
good opportunity to receive a COM
mission in the Air Service.
The local recruiting station at the
Postoffice building, has already en-
listed a number of men for this SER
vice and will gladly furnish further
information to those interested.