“Training Film 1-3304”, “Official Training Film TF 1-3304”,

“Wings Up (also known as Sustineo Alas in its release for the United States Army) is a short propaganda film produced during World War II, highlighting the role of the United States Army Air Forces Officer Candidate School. The film emphasized that while usually these courses would take up to a year in college, the country was at war now and needed all the qualified officers it could get and fast. The curriculum is briefly outlined in Wings Up as well as the kind of life a student would lead at this training center.”

“Narrated by Clark Gable, “Wings Up” (1943) shows the rigors of the U.S. Army Air Forces Officer Candidate School. (Note: this film also known as Sustineo Alas.) Set during WWII, the film follows enlisted candidates as they try to graduate from this elite program at Miami Beach, Florida. These men, each from a diverse background, must undergo intense physical, mental, and emotional challenges to become officers. The film provides an in-depth portrayal of the demanding daily routine at the school, where the men are subjected to strict discipline, grueling physical tests, academic training, and military drills. Their ability to endure and rise above adversity is constantly tested, revealing the qualities required to lead under pressure. Their personal growth and transformation are highlighted.

00:00: Main titles. A B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft is lost in the Pacific due to the navigator losing his nerve, despite having successfully reached their objective. All aboard are lost.

1:20: Narrator Clark Gable laments the loss of the plane and its crew, emphasizing the importance of each member’s reliability.

1:50: Officer Candidate School of the Army Air Forces in Miami Beach, Florida, which tests and trains men to ensure they are capable leaders, is introducted.

2:10: The selection process for the school is described, starting with 1,000 enlisted men who pass physical and knowledge tests, eventually narrowing down to 23 candidates.

3:00: Induction process. The examining board interviews candidates, and physical fitness tests by physicians eliminate others. The candidates undergo rigorous training and discipline, learning to follow strict regulations and develop leadership skills.

4:00: The training includes physical exercises, academic courses, and military drills. Candidates face various challenges, including maintaining strict personal discipline and enduring physical and mental stress. Gable discusses various officer candidates and their various backgrounds. One of them is Gilbert Roland, a famous actor 5:20. (Roland served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII.)

6:00: The training emphasizes the importance of quick thinking, coordination, and the ability to handle responsibility under pressure. Candidates forced to jump “this high”. Drill sergeants at work, asking them to put their chest up. The candidates are taught the significance of their roles and the impact of their decisions on the lives of others.

8:01: Transformation of the candidates into disciplined, capable leaders ready to serve as officers. Bed inspection. Blankets tight enough to bounce a coin, socks rolled, underwear rolled, etc.

11:00: Various demonstrations of how discipline is maintained, and how every candidate has to rush at all times and move at double time.

13:00: Various 45 minute classes including identification of aircraft and ships, mess management, gas mask use, air and combat intelligence, supply, military law, and 27 other subjects.

14:00: Large scale physical fitness exercise with OCS candidates running on an obstacle course. Average loss of weight per man is 8 pounds. U.S. flag waves in the breeze.

15:00: Parade of troops in hopes of winning a ribbon for their unit. Men stand at attention for 30 minutes.

16:00: The importance of teamwork and mutual support among the officers is highlighted as a key factor in their success.

17:00: Men are studying in the evening while taking baths. OCS candidate on night patrol, keeping watching, as Gable notes that the penalty for falling asleep is death.

18:00: Religious services including a Jewish service with a Rabbi and a Christian service. The officers are reminded of the honor and privilege of serving in the Army Air Forces and the legacy they are part of.

19:00: The film concludes with a motivational message to the new commissioned officers, encouraging the officers to uphold the values and traditions of the US Army Air Forces and to strive for excellence in all their endeavors. Gable appears at the end of the film to proclaim “Keep em flying!”