The War Department began their training programs for vocational and technical roles long before they began the collegiate training programs. Evolving out of the National Training Detachments (NTDs), which began in April 1918, the B Sections of the SATC continued to teach valuable skills necessary for the ARmy to function. These skills and trades included mechanics, chauffeurs, truck drivers, carpenters, electricians, machinists, plumbers, telegraphers, horeseshoers, and wheelwrights.¹ These NTDs and B Sections of the SATC were extremely successful and effective and throughout the remainder of the war; men from B sections were consistently transferred to other camps and military installations throughout Virginia.

Like their A section counterparts, B sections took the War Issues course, which was designed to educate members of the SATC about the participants in the war and why the United States was fighting. B sections also engaged in military drill, but for 15.5 hours per week, instead of 11.² The remainder of their time was devoted to perfecting technical or trade skills. Instead of the three month training cycles for the A Section units, B Sections were on a two month training cycle.³

Notes:

1. Special Orders No. 38 dated October 13, 1918, National Archives RG 165 NM-84 Entry 412 Box 211.
2. Student Army Training Corps Descriptive Circular dated October 14, 1918, 6, Box 3, Folder 8, Records of the Dean of the College, Theodorick Pryor Campbell, RG 11/1, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
3. Student Army Training Corps Descriptive Circular dated October 14, 1918, 5, Box 3, Folder 8, Records of the Dean of the College, Theodorick Pryor Campbell, RG 11/1, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.