LETTER #12 - 26 JAN 1944

Further information on: 

BASIC MILITARY TRAINING AND CLASSIFICATION OF PERSONNEL

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/VI/AAF-VI-16.html

Excerpts from the above link:

"In this as in other phases of the training program, the peak load was reached and passed in 1943. Thereafter, some centers were inactivated, and others were moved to posts where technical schools had been located. Four basic training centers survived until 4 September 1945--Buckley Field, Amarillo Army Air Field, Sheppard Field, and Keesler Field, with most of the trainees located at the two latter stations."

"Although higher headquarters had long been aware of the deficiencies in basic training, it was not until June 1943 that Headquarters, AAF undertook to establish minimum requirements for training of personnel before their assignment overseas. Starting in July 1943 an attempt was also made to set up a standardized program for the eight-week basic training program in effect at the BTC's. Emphasis was placed on subjects with a practical application to survival in the combat areas--camouflage, chemical warfare, map reading, marching and bivouac, and marksmanship. A memorandum issued by the AAF Training Command in December 1943 prescribed an eight-week schedule of instruction for regular trainees and a five-week schedule for pre-aviation cadets. Only two revisions of this memorandum had appeared by the end of 1994, although supplementary memoranda on specific subjects in the schedules were issued from time to time."

     I felt so bad for him when I read the first two lines.  His hopes were high he would fly, but at this point he is unsure of his classification, perhaps in combat ground crew or with radio dispatching.  You can feel his frustration and how he feels he let his parents down.  It sounds like he is not alone in the disappointment as other cadets have been grounded.  The good news he only has a few days of Basic Training left.