Cadet Program The flying cadet program to train pilots, navigators and bombardiers was demanding. Following application and appointment as an Aviation Cadet, a man was usually sent to one of three classification and preflight centers established at Nashville, Tenn.; San Antonio, Texas; or Santa Ana, Calif. There he received his indoctrination into military life -- the G.I. haircut, inoculations, guard duty and the "infamous" K.P. (Kitchen Patrol). He was also given a rigid medical exam and numerous types of aptitude and physical tests to determine whether he was best suited for training as a pilot, navigator or bombardier. Once his classification had been determined, he entered preflight ground school for approximately nine weeks, after which he was sent to flying school. Click here to return to the AAF Training During WWII Overview.