This black and white training film from 1941 titled “Military Training” is one of many official training films created before and during WWII. This particular film was intended to be shown to officers, to show the best methods of instruction for inductees. Presented by The War Department and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and titled “Official Training Film no. 7-925,” this film stresses the best and most effective methods of teaching officers in training by utilizing the five senses to engage students. This film was produced by The Signal Corps in collaboration with The Chief of Infantry 1941 with the cooperation of The Research Council Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Part of a greater series of films from this time, the US Army was known to use films during World War II to train officers for combat overseas in Europe or in the Pacific Theater.

Opening credits (0:09). Two US Army officers meet in an office (0:44). Commander instructing room of officers (1:52). The five senses instructional film (3:07). Hearing: doctor examines patient’s lungs (3:16). Sight: scientist looks through a microscope in a lab (3:21). Touch: blind man reads braille (3:26). Smell: officer smells poisonous mustard gas during battle (3:33). Taste: chef tastes soup (3:43). Officers shows off film strips, 16mm training films, stereoptical slides, charts, maps, diagrams, sand tables, and models. Target practice training exercises with M-1 Garand (5:02). Chemical warfare training (5:51). US Army cooks (5:53). Kindergarten teacher helping kids (6:11). University professor giving lecture in front of cute coeds (6:21). Chief clerk in an office explaining a file to an aid (6:25). Foreman in a factory (6:30). Squad leader advising servicemen (6:33). Soldiers charge through trenches as they face enemy fire in WWI (7:01). Fundamentals in teaching/ mechanism of instruction: preparation, explanation, demonstration, application, examination, discussion (7:59). Failures that result from lack of preparation (8:45-14:27). Group of men receiving instruction on functioning of the M-1 rifle – however instructor reading from basic field manual (11:49). How to properly prepare for instruction and lessons (14:29). Write out a lesson plan (15:12). Assemble equipment (15:17). Student practice (16:09). Test knowledge (17:01). Discussion to sum up important point and clarify doubts (17:09). Methods of instruction as advised by basic Field Manual 20 1-5: the lecture, the conference, the demonstration, the group performance method, the coach and pupil method (18:00). How to garner student interest: anecdotes from famous Sergeant York (Alvin York) or Sergeant Woodfill (Samuel Woodfill) (19:14). Avoid tiredness of lecture attendees (19:49). Conference vs. lecture style (20:07). Demonstration of procedure (21:18). US Army War Department Official Training Film No. 11-157 Military Customs projected onto screen as part of induction process for new recruits (22:49). How to make gurney (23:52). How to be highly trained squad (25:20). How to handle a snake bite (27:30).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com