‘Bach Air: FPotce Physical: director has acted as-an advisor: (on physical train-
ing matters). to "his respective Commanding General and has attenpted to institute:a
physical conditioning program. There have been many obstacles and hindrances in’
accomplishing tangible results, with both flying amd ground personnel. Lack of
trained personnel with whom to work on each Air Base has been one of the greatest
Srd,lems. -In the entire 4th Air Force, since lnst June (1941), there has been bu’
one officer trained in vhysical education, aeting in the capacity of base: physical

director! ‘Nine months ago the Senior and Air Force Directors of Physical. Training

 

vegan to work on the problem of obtaining well-trained, experienced vhysical. direc-
fors for each air base, Finally, authority was granted by Headquarters of the
Army Air Forces for the appointment from civilian-Life of some two scor: » trained,
qualified physical education men as 1st lieutenants, to be stationed one at each
air base with the combat forces.

You probably will be interested to know what type of leader we have been -:
seeking and what requirements we established for the selection of these men. Our
prerequisites are quite different than those established by some other branches of
the armed forces. We do not want men whose only qualification is that of being
big-time coaches or big-name athletes. We want men who. are well grounded in the
principles ‘of physical education, who know the fundamentals of the physiology of
exercise, of hygiene, and of conditioning, and who have a broad experience anda
wiie ‘mowledge of activities. The administrative and orgditentodal “abi laty of
thesé men is highly important. Above all, we sought those with’ a high degree of
tact, forcefulness, naturity, and with a personality that. is strong and adjustable
to many of the difficult problems that will ‘be eneountered-on these jobs. The
prerequisites established aré as follows: (1)° A graduate. of a recognized college
or university with a major ‘in physical educatién; (2) -one year's graduate work
in physical education: (3) at least four years! full-time: paid. employment in

bee