MARINE AVIATION COURSE OPEN TO COLLEGE MEN

A course in aviation training, which enables those who complete it to pass an examination for a Department of Commerce transport license is outlined in a letter from Brigadier General B. H. Fuller of the U. S. Marine Corps which was made public yesterday by Assistant Dean D. S. Byers.

The course, open to men between the ages of 20 and 27 possessing a four-year college degree, begins about June 20, and is of 21 months' duration. It is given by the Marine Corps in conjunction with the Navy, to build up a strong Marine Corps Aviation Reserve. Any men desiring further information should address the commanding officer at the Marine Corps Reserve Unit, Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Squantum, Massachusetts.

Three Parts to Course

Brigadier General Fuller outlined the three phases of the course as follows:

Phase (a): Thirty-day flight elimination course. Students are enlisted as privates, promoted to privates 1st class, Marine Corps Reserve, placed on active duty and ordered to one of the Reserve training bases for flight elimination course which carries the student through the dual instruction stage and checks him for solo flying. Students failing to qualify for solo flight are immediately ordered to their home, placed on inactive duty and discharged from the Reserve at their own request. Those students who successfully pass solo check are immediately ordered to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, for accomplishment of the second phase of training.

Phase (b): Eight-months period covering complete course of flight training as given to officers of the regular service, including 200 hours of flying. Students failing to complete this course are ordered to inactive duty, as indicated by the first phase of training. Those students who successfully complete this course are examined for commission as second lieutenants, Marine Corps Reserve, and if found qualified are ordered to active duty with regular Marine squadrons, where the third phase of training is given.

Year's Active Duty

Phase (c): One year's active duty with rank, pay and allowances of second lieutenant, Marine Corps Reserve, with regular Marine Corps operating squadrons, where they receive a course of military indoctrination and advanced flight training. The pay and allowance of a second lieutenant on active aviation duty are approximately $245 a month.

At the end of this year of active duty and advanced training they are transferred to inactive duty and attached to one of the organized Marine Corps Reserve aviation squadrons In addition to training with Reserve Squadrons while in an inactive duty status, they may receive fifteen days' active duty training annually for the purpose of maintaining efficiency.

During the nine months period of training covering phases (a) and (b), the student holds the rank of private 1st class, M.C. Reserve with pay of $46 a month, with transportation, board and lodging, and clothing furnished. He is in a student officer status during this period.