Warrant Officer Candidates (WOCs) were now faced with how to become a officer in the army and also learn how to fly. It was during Pre-flight that the officer training began. The good side, only four weeks of this intensive training and then to the "HILL," Flight line, Classes and MORE Officer training. (Did OCS have it this rough?)
Remember "Brace the wall candidates" or "All parts of your body better be against the wall candidate?" How many demerits did you get? How many pushups did you do?
Let us not forget PT (Physical Training). Everyday we had to do the "Daily Dozen" and let's not forget the running where ever we went. That was until we became seniors..
Does anyone remember "Grundy Day" ?
Today the "officer" training is almost as intense. WOCs go through this training first and then at the end of this Phase are sent to their respective branch training. This phase takes you to the Fort that offers your specialty of Ordinance, Transportation, Artillery, Signal, etc.
Warrant Officer Candidate
The phone booths, for calls home or to order that new car.
Each WOC class left
something for all in-coming WOCs to gaze upon. Class 68-15 built this storage shed to
house the technical equipment such as rakes, shovels, brooms, all that fun stuff.
Other classes left "the rock", from the 1st WOC, that was painted by each
in-coming class. The tradition stills goes on today at Fort Rucker. Other structures and
heritage items. (most may now be found at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Thanks to VHPA members for preserving our heritage.
NOTICE
We are in need of help to preserve what is left of our flight school heritage. Many of the things we donated, built or used during flight school have been lost or thrown away. Steps are now being taken to preserve the last few remaining items. If you want more information, please send an email to VHPA.
Now on to "The Hill"
