The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-02-20
ENLISTMENTS FOR
SERVICE IN THE AIR
Department of Air Service Officer.
Southeastern Department,

southeastern Department,
Charleston, S. c.. Feb. Is, 1920.
Editor Star: In view of the fact
tnat your paper enjoys a large circu-
lation it will he greatly appreciated
by the air service if you see fit to fur
nish the public the following lnforma-
tion.
The air service was filled to its
maximum the end of the year. Since
then two hundred vacancies have been
created due to the appointment of
that number of enlisted men as flying
cadets. 1t is expected that several
hundred additional vacancies will oc-
cur during the year. In viaw of the
fact that there is such small number
OF vacancies the air service is estab-
fishing a waiting list of applicants
who desire to join the air service. Amy
man who desires to join should sub
NIT a letter to the Department Air
Service Officer. Southeastern Depart
ment. Charleston. S. c. The latter
should show the applicants full name,
age, birthplace. occupation and edu-
cation. All applications will be for
warded to the director of air service
for final action.
The cadets referred to above are
now pursuing the regular pilots or
flying course. Upon satisfactory COM
pletion of this course. when they have
become actual flyers. they will be Civ
en ii commission as second lieutenant
in the officers reserve corps and may
be, at their own option, discharged
from the service or returned to their
previous enlisted grade.
The air service makes no promises
regarding a mans future His future
depends almost entirely upon himself.
The present policy is to give flying
training to those men who are phys
ically, mentally and morally qualified.
At present practically all of the flying
caaets were formerly regular enlisted
men. In addition. the air service
operates at Kelly Field a training
school for mechanics. The present
policy involves giving as many men as
possible this course of instruction,
which is most excellent.
Within few years the air industry
will be one of the largest in the world.
Those men who enter it now, in its
infancy, will, when it is developed be
in position to demand and receive
high salaries. The rise will be as
great as the automobile industry. All
one has to do is to note the rise of
the automobile men within the last
ter years. These men went in at the
beginning and are now at the top.
The same thing will happen in the air
industry Now is the time to learn
the game. The best place to learn the
game is in the air service where. in
addition to having the opportunity to
learn the game, one is also being paid.
The grades are from private at $50 to
master electrician at $81. Men who
are actually doing work in the air re-
ceive an additional fifty per cent as
also do those who are rated as avia-
ton and balloon machinician.
In civil life every small plane will
require at least one mechanic; large
planes will require more. The present
average pay of these mechanics is
about $40 weekly. Their work is
light, in fact they lead very easy life
most of the time. An energetic man
car learn the game during one enlist
ment (three years.. Upon completion
o. this enlistment he can without
doubt secure a position as airplane
mechanic in civil life. Three years
hence there will be thousands of air
planes in daily operation. The same
possibilities exist for airships (dirig-
lille balloons).
This is a matter that all young men
should seriously consider. 1t will be
we'll worth their time. 1t is the one
game that has the greatest future.
The earlier one starts the greater are
his chances.
The Department Air Service Officer,
Southeastern Department. Charleston,
S. c., is always moer than glad to
furnish any one with information rel