Evening star., 1939-02-12

current semester as part OF their
regular college courses. The pro-
gram contempldtes training TO-
900 pilots year in an emergency.
By Ben H. Pearse.
On the campuses of a dozen COL
Ieges from New York to California,
In the midst of basketball, track and
crew activities, proms, exams ana
graduation exercises, some 300 young
men between the ages Of l8 and 70
are in the preliminary stage OF a
program to build up a reserve OF
trained pilots for the Nation to tap
in the event of need.
Military training is not included
In the schedule. Students elect fly
ing lust as they would Latin, trigo-
nometry or course In history.
While laboratory work in the air
requires more concentration than
on the ground there is little else
to change the general collegiate at
mosphere. But for those who want
to go beyond this college training
and obtain a commission as second
lieutenant in the Army Air Corps
Reserve, something quite different
is in store.
The Army has a special school
for training its military flyers. 1t
stands high among schools of its
kind, and pilots and military mis-
sions from all parts Of the world
have come to study its methods. In
many respects it is unique, Despite
the fact that practically the entire
student body is made up of young
men from colleges in various parts
of the country, not a fur coat or
derby is to be found on its 2,400-
acre campus.
Stars but No Games.
Football stars abound, but foot
ball was abolished years ago because
1t interfered with studies. Midweek
dates are taboo, weekend leave is a
privilege granted on proof OF good
marks and exemplary behavior.
It is a college without fraternitles,
annual reunions. ivy paintings or
the inalienable right to cut class.
Without summer vacation, prom or
armbands! Shades of John Harvard,
it hasn't even a cheer leader. Lack
ing all these collegiate essentials,
= one might wonder whether it has
a student body. 1t not only has
one, 1t has waiting list that has
rarely fallen below a thousand.
Situated in the heart of an area
rich in history and tradition, beside
the old Spanish trail, where the
creak of ox-carts was a familiar
sound only 100 years ago, this col
lege has few customs and almost no
tradition at all The first spadeful
of earth was turned only a few
wears ago, a snap OF times finger
nowadays, when it's poor stick OF
a school that cannot boast at least
one building from so years to CEN
tury or tx o old. Most colleges grow
imperceptibly over period of years
but this one was created practically
as 1t stands today by order OF the
Secretary of War and under the
SUPERVISION of the Army Quarter
master Corps.
For the Cadet.
To balance these collegiate de-
hciencies, there is only the $75 a
month each cadet receives in addi-
ton to quarters, rations and uniform
the opportunity to spend about 25(
hours in the upper reaches OF the
South Texas atmosphere, and the
degree "a. p" for those who COM
plete the 12-month course. That the
letters stand for "airplane pilot i:
not generally known in institutions
of higher learning. But many Wht
have earned it say it is more diff
cult to achieve than B. A. or SOME
of the other initials awarded an
nually by the thousand-odd school!
engaged in the process.
But If the usual collegiate stand
ards mean nothing to you, II yol
have not merely a desire but
firm determination to be militar!
flyer. and if you are male citlzer
between the ages of 20 and % year
with at least two years OF colleg'
credit, you may secure an appllca
tion for this unique institution o
learning by writing to the War De
partment. You will have to take
physical examination so rigid tina
half the West Point graduates VIII
undergo it fail, but if you pas
sooner or later you will receive or
ders to report to the commanding
general, U. S. Army Air Corp
Training Center, Randolph Field
and a railroad ticket long enough
to get you to San Antonio, Tex
From the time you get off the trail
be ready to stand on your own feet
Self Reliance Needed.
Most of the fraternities in Baird
Manual are represented at Ran
dolph Field. but no rushing dele
cation will meet you. Bette
not take more than you can pu
in one suitcase, because you wi
have to carry it yourself. In fac
for the next IL months you wi
be your own butler and handymal
make your own bed and keep you
own room tidier than you ever ker