University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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30 WHHI IVS HE ARMY Medical Corps, Army Specialized Training Program, and A-12 unit are the three groups which compose the army program of the Uni- versity of Kansas for the present school year. These respective groups serve as a regular part of the stu- dent body, participate in student activities, and are now an integral part of campus life. p Included in the Naval program are the Naval Air Cadets, Machinist Mates, and V-12,s, all of whom take specialized training for future active duty. The Machinist Mates unit arrived first on the Hill, coming here in july, 1942. Frank Strong Hall is headquarters for about 500 of the M. M's, who upon completing a 16 week course here will go on active duty: A great many of the Machinist Mates were chosen by interview at boot camp for further training here, while others have already been on active duty. Approximately 500 men enrolled in the engineer- ing, pre-medicine, and pre-dentistry units of the V-12 now wear the navy blues. These men receive instruc- tion from the regular University staff and are per- mitted to, take part in University extra-curricular activities. Most of the V-12's live in PT,s, formerly known as fraternity barns. To enlist in the V-12 program, men first had to be THE JAYHAWKER HH HHUHl A bi1fd's eye 'view of the military situa- tion on the campus selected for comparative examinations. On the re- sults of these tests, personal interviews were awarded ' and those men successfully overcoming these obstacles were permitted to enlist. Some men came in the pro- gram through selective service and the qualifying exams, while other K. U. V-12's were on active duty and were chosen by their commanding officer to go into the program. ' The K. U. Navy Pilot Training division includes 90 men going through a three month course of pilot training here. Sub-divided into elementary and inter- mediate, the K. U. course provides about five hours of concentrated ground school and four hours of flight a day for trainees. From here, the V-5's will go on to pre-flight school and eventually a pair of silver wings. Members of the Army Specialized Training Group are special students who have been selected from their former centers to continue their schooling in the spe- cial engineering course. At their former army camps, a board of fifteen officers chose them from the ranks to go to a star unit where they were given a great variety of tests. Those surviving this hurdle embarked for one of the many universities and colleges ap- proved for the Army Specialized Training Program. Carrying eight subjects a term, the A.S.T.P.'s must maintain regular Kansas University scholastic stand- ards, but unlike civilian students who can retake or drop a Hunk course, if the khaki-clad men flunk they are automatically out of the program. Upon success- fully completing the three basic terms, a member of the A.S.T.P. will graduate to one of the following O.C.S., Engineering Corps as a non-commissioned officer, advanced A.S.T.P. training, or back to the regular army as a private. The A-12 unit is composed of boys seventeen years of age who are continuing their education in uniform while awaiting call to active duty. They also live at Lindley Hall. They will be sent to an induction center and receive basic army training upon reaching draft age. Photos by Wagner and Grant