THE PHYSICAL TRAINING PROGRAM OF THE ARMY AIR FORCES
WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL AND COLLEGE PROGRAMS

BH. B. DeGroot, Jr., 2nd Lt., A. C.
Director of Physical Training, 4th Air Force
« Part I |
Physical Training in the Army Air Forces
My remarks this afternoon will pertain generally to the physical training
program of the combat units of the Army Air Forces, and specifically to the physi-
cal training vrogram of the 4th Air Force.
The Army Organization
Pirst, I telieve it would de in order to Siw briefly ie shoe
ization of the Army Air Forces. The Air Forces are, of sities atid a ait of
the Army. - Although récently donsolidated under one administrative command, there
are still two divisions of the Air Forces ‘with two acu ekhe physical training
programs: (2 ¥5-Bhare is the division (formerly dnctenckee as the Air Corps) which
has to do with the training of aviation cadets, and which Mr. Dashiell has eo stdin
pletely ontltasi, (2) There is the division f forneriy bebiccnated as the Aicclote

Combat Command) which includes all those units comprising the actual combat troops

--the fighting forces. There are four major commands or divisions of this combat

force organized in the edntinontiel United States; designated respectively as the
lst, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Air Forces: “The 4th Air Force now éimen, roughly, the
area of the Pacific Coast from Canada to the Mexican border. The 4th Intercep—
tor Command, of which you have heard so much, Koa nart of this 4th Air Force.
There is no need to attempt an explanation of the Army Ground Forces organ-
ization or methods of physical conditioning at this time, except to note that sal
Army (ground forces) have neither hired civilians nor commissioned physical edu-
cation men for use in conditioning troops. The Air Force is the only branch of
the Army to have taken such action. You are all familiar, I'm sure, with the num

ber and tyne of men and the type of program the Navy is instituting.
pe, (a