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WORLD WAR II ARMY AIR CORPS CADET CLASSIFICATION & INDOCTRINATION 27194

4,080 views · Published 26 April 2017 · 18:12 · Indexed 20 October 2026

Channel: PeriscopeFilm · 2017 · Education

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Made in 1943 as part of the WWII war effort, "Cadet Classification" features the voice of actor Ronald Reagan as narrator. This fascinating film shows the procedure used to sort air cadets and guide them towards positions as pilots, navigators and bombardiers based on their aptitude. To make the selections the Air Corps devised a series of tests, many of which are seen in the film. These included agility and mental fitness tests using electronic equipment, medical checks, stress tests, and written exams to reveal language, math and technical skills.  There were so many recruits to process that some tests (seen at the 7:30 mark) even utilized early computers and electronic scoring. At the end of the film a commander talks about how not ever air recruit can become a pilot, while explaining how important it is to serve as an air crewman. This reveals the real purpose behind this film: to psychologically prepare air recruits for the possibility that they might not become a pilot.

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