Also, in 1942, The Stick announced the new V-1 cadet aviation training for incoming freshmen and sophomores aged between 17-19. The program ensure its enlistees two years of college life while also establishing their military status. Even before the cadet program began, Fitchburg Teacher’s College ranked 12th largest among college Air Force programs in 1941.

 

While this program was intended to gather the attention of younger applicants, the Fitchburg Sentinel indicated that there were men in their 30s who also enlisted. The article discuss, their intentions to join the war as well as their frustration with having to submit to the school’s rules, thus giving up the freedoms of adulthood.

 

To support the cadets on campus, the college was tasked with supplying residence, education, and training for the future naval officers. The cadets started their day at 5:15 am, with Flight Group A at the Fitchburg Airport for flight training and Flight Group B at the college for ground school. The groups would switch locations after lunch. In their 30 hours a week of classroom time, cadets studied meteorology, mathematics, physics, navigation, cryptography, and aircraft operation, servicing, and identification.