Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-09-17

10 S nneSt OfncerS' training ScnOOlS.
appointed as follows: Six from each
State at large, three from each con-
gressional district, three from each
Territory (HaWaii and Alaska. five
from the District of Columbia, three
from Puerto Rico natives, one
from the Panama Canal Zone, 172
from the United States at large, $50
from among the enlisted men of
the Regular Army and a number
as nearly equal as practicable from
the National Guard.
The course of study is four years,
during which the cadets are under
strict military discipline. Summers
are spent in camp. The course Is
largely mathematical and military.
Among the subjects taught are Ian
guage. physics. mathematics, drill
regulations, chemistry, electricity,
history, military law, military engi-
neering ordnance and gunnery. On
graduation, the cadets-except Fill
pinos and foreigners-aTe commits
stoned second lieutena11ts in the
Army. The total number of gradu
ates, including foreigners, who re-
ceived instruction under special acts
of Congress. from 1902 to 1888, in
elusive, was II 1874.
The Coast Guard Academy, 10
Gated at New London, Conn, is
maintained for the professional
education of young men who are
candidates for commissions as
officers in the Coast Guard. Facili-
ties are maintained for some 200
or more cadets, but in actual prac-
tice there are usually less than half
that number in training.
The four-year course of instruc-
ton, like that of the Naval Academy,
is baSicallv scientific and engineer
ing in character. Appointments as
cadets are offered to those standing
highest in a Nationwide COMPETE
tive examination held every June.
This examination is open to candi-
dates anywhere who are able to
meet the prescribed standards. The
mental requirements are, in general
equal to those set by high-grade
engineering colleges.
Only about 80 per cent of the
candidates graduate, so rigid are
the requirements. OF the 43 cadets
in training in 1888. 81 graduated
Last fall IS new cadets entered the
academy.
PiIotS Are Concern.
Throughout the history of avia-
ton the supply of skilled pilot per-
sonnet has been a major concern
of our military command, and many
of the industry's finest flyers are
graduates of the Navy's school at
Pensacola and< the Armys two
schools at Kelly and Randolph
Fields.
To man its expanding air arm and
to create a reserve of pilots the Navy
several years ago inaugurated the
training of aviation cadets. These
young men, nearly all of whom hold
engineering degrees. are trained for
a year at Pensacola. spend three
years on active duty with squadronS
of the fleet, and then pass to the
Naval Reserve, with ensign's COM
missions and gratuities intended to
enable them to establish themselves
in civil life, but to remain forever
in readiness for wartime emergency.
A regular period of eight months
flying instruction is given at Ran
dolph Field. Courses normally start
on March /, July l and october Is
of each year. The primary train
ing consists of approximately 1863
hours in the air, during which the
student receives instruction in all
maneuvers necessary to pilot mill
tary airplanes. Besides the time in
the air, students are instructed in
airplane engines. navigation, ma
chine guns and other academic sub
jects necessary to the training of
military pilots. Last year, Randolph
Field graduated $40 cadets. Today,
436 young flyers are in training
there.
A period of four months ad-
vanced instruction is given at the
advanced school at Kelly Field, con-
sisting of specialized training in
pursuit, bombardment, attack and
observation aviation. This school,
ing includes approximately Ill
hours in the air and academic work
in specialized military subjects. Last
year, Kelly Field graduated 246
cadets. Today, 1913 pilots are TAX
ing the course.
Upon satisfactory completion of
the one-year course of instruction
at the Army's training center in
Texas, flying cadet is appointed
second lieutenant in the Air Corps
Reserve, receiving his wings" and
the rating Of airplane pilot.