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instruction. The new aviator received 32 weeks of training following a syllabus that used every precious hour to best prepare him for Vietnam. After I became Commandant, it became obvious that the rotary-wing aviator must graduate with more than passing knowledge of instrument flying as most of these students were going directly to combat—without the usual unit training transition which had always been the accepted practice in all Services. We managed to squeeze sufficient hours out of the course to give each initial-entry student a thorough instrument course, complete in every respect except for flight checks in two systems not being used in Vietnam—instrument landing system and VHF omnidirectional range. Upon graduation, these students were perfectly capable of flying instruments; but, any instrument course demands continued practice to develop confidence and increase proficiency. Unfortunately many graduates soon lost this capability through lack of use and supervision.

To partially compensate for the lack of unit training after graduation, the course ended with an extended field maneuver. I had directed that this last week before graduation incorporate as much combat realism as possible to facilitate the essential transition from "student" to "pilot." Almost every commander was enthusiastic over the continued high quality of the new pilots being assigned to Vietnam.

If there ever was a question about the wisdom of the Army's Warrant Officer Aviator Program, it was laid to rest at this time. As Commandant of the Aviation School, I watched thousands of these splendid young men mature in front of my instructors into professionals—the best Army helicopter pilots in the business. Nothing more and nothing less.

When the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel and his Assistant visited the Aviation School, they were concerned about the lack of branch career schools for the warrant aviator and his future motivation. They could not believe that most of these people came into the Army for the single purpose of flying; and that, though many had been to college and were married, they did not aspire to a career as a commissioned officer. Further, they were not aware that those few who did want a commission could get one under current regulations. I did my best to disabuse them of their misconceptions. Our warrant program was attracting the very best of American youth at the most critical time.

To add to the problems brought about by the chronic pilot shortage, the Army in Vietnam was given the additional missions