Squadron Officer School - Cogito Yearbook (Montgomery, AL)

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STUDENTS' WIVES' ACTIVITIES When the Air Force summons its selected young cap- tains and Iieufencntsto attend the Squadron Officer School, it encourages them to bring along their wives and children . Of the over 800 officers who attend the course, some 500 do bring their families. In doing so, many travel great dis- tances from bases all over the United States. Since they travel light, they are often confronted wtth the neces- sity to get along with less than the normal amount of con- veniences. However, the advantages for the Air Force wife who accompanies her husband to Montgomery, Ala- bama, far outweigh any normal disadvantages or incon- veniences that she may face. From the moment of her arrival every effort is made to help her feel welcome and at home. During the first weeks of school, the wife of her husband's section commander will entertain her and other students' wives in the section at a coffee usually held in her home. At that time any help the student's wife might need in getting settled is gra- ciously offered by the faculty wife and an outline of the planned activities is presented to her. Though she is en- couraged to participate in the activities, it is stressed that such participation is to be strictly voluntary on her part. As the students in the section learn to work together effectively in academics and athletics, their wives become fast friends and share many activities together. Esprit de corps atthis school is very high and most evident on Wed- nesday afternoons during the sports portion of the field activities program. Since all the students must participate in the sports, the cheering sections are comprised of en- thusiastic wives and loyal children. The wives usually wear some distinctive costume to identify their group with the colors of their husbands' section. These costumes are usually very imaginative and normally quite inexpensive, thanks to feminine ingenuity. The opportunities for the student's wife to learn along with her husband are provided through a series of lectures presented specifically for them by top platform lecturers and by distinguished guest speakers. The topics of the in- teresting and intellectually stimulating talks include cam- munism, counterinsurgency, the Air Force mission, present and future, early detection of cancer,physicaI self-defense for women, development of the human personality, and ser-

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outstanding officer in each section os selected by his con- temporaries. lt is a night for gaiety and celebration. Fol- lowing dinner and the formal part of the evening's program, the band takes over and dancing and small talk carry on until the more hardy of the gathering reluctantly turns homeward. A third school-sponsored social event is a stag affair- the formal Dining-ln. This event is a highlight among the special activities at the Squadron Officer School and it is held by each ofthe instructional wings. The school by en- couraging the Dining-ln is, helping to build an Air Force tradition. The Dining-ln features prominent speakers whose topics contribute to the intellectual stimulation of both the faculty and students, and the students gain confidence in their ability to mix socially with senior officers and distinguished guests. Thus, although these activities provide a much needed break in the busy schedule, none of them exists purely for entertainment or for the opportunity to let the students have a change of pace from concentrated study. On the contrary, each activity contributes materially to the over- all development ofthe whole man. MWA

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vice protocol. During each class the students' wives in each of the eight wings plan, organize, and execute a luncheon or brunch. For these affairs they select as their entertain- ment any one ofa number of possible programs such QS: a fashion show, musical program, guest speaker, crazy hat contest, or skits. Wives from each section run the commit- tees that make all the arrangements of which making dec- orations, organizing the program, and selecting the menu are but a few. Two faculty wives in each wing volunteer to act as advisors to the students'wives and offer guidance and assistance. Many of the remaining students' wives in the wing serve in such capacities as hostesses to honored guests, as models for the fashion show, or per- haps preside at the refreshment table. in this way as many wives as possible have an active part in these social functions. ln addition to the organized and scheduled activities programed for the benefit of the students' wives, they plan spontaneous bridge parties, informal luncheons, bowling matches, or a historical tour of the Cradle of the Con- federacy. The Officers' Wives' Club at Maxwell Air S , t es, 'wigsf' rr: . :ff Q ,f 'fi ,Rf