Opening is drawing of a tiger and film title: "A tiger is a man." closeup of USAF Aviation Cadet Colonel's shoulder board. Next he is seen from the back, as he speaks to an Air Force Officer. Sign reads: "Headquarters, USAF Preflight School, Lackland AFB." Cadets are seen in blue uniforms and white gloves., marching in area between their barracks. Views of barracks with glimpse of two cadets "marching tours" on a special path. An Air Force officer and several cadets on walkways between the barracks. Closeup of clock showing 4:30 (AM). View of cadets asleep in their bunks. Suddenly the lights go on, and they all rise. Closeup of cadets shaving., hurriedly. Another brushing his teeth. A cadet making his bed with tight military corners. One places his shoe partly under the bunk mattress to hold it while he shines it. Shoes being placed with care using a cardboard to assure the toes align perfectly. Cadets hurrying to a formation.
View of Aviation Cadet barracks at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.. Two soft drink machines near the front entrance have a sign on them reading: "Top Tigers." A two-blade propeller tops a vertical steel shaft protruding from an aircraft propeller hub set on the lawn. A single prop blade also sticks up from the lawn. Cadets double-time out of the barracks and along the walkways. They are followed by eight Cadet officers who walk in a single line, led by their Cadet Colonel. The cadet officers take up positions at the head of the other .cadets who are in a block formation according to height, with the tallest in the front rank and shortest in the rear. The cadet colonel gives marching orders to the group and leads them in a march to a training building.The cadets then enter the building in single file, removing their hats as they come under cover. Next they are seen seated in a classroom where an Air Force Lieutenant, instructor, describes an aircraft radial engine, with the help of a cutaway training aid. Another group of cadets is seen in a classroom where an Air Force officer is pointing at a map of China. An instructor places silhouettes of a Soviet MIG 15 fighter aircraft on a projection glass. A cartoon about preventing oversupply is seen on projection plate of an overhead projector. Other charts projected deal with: Components of Air Power; the M1911A1 45 caliber semi-automatic pistol; and personal characteristics. Closeups of cadets, including a foreign exchange cadet from Belgium, who steps to the front of the room to speak to the cadets. One cadet stands to ask a question.
Aviation cadets file into a dining hall. Each one takes a tray (in a military manner) from a stack and proceeds to the serving line. View of one table of cadets who stand at attention until all have arrived and placed their trays at their places. They all seat themselves in unison and begin eating so-called "square meals" (in a military manner). A cadet colonel at the table reminds some of the cadets about this.
U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadets in preflight training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. A field filled with aviation cadets exercises under the direction of an athletic director. They do pushups and return to standing positions, and then do squat thrusts to repeat the sequence.
U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadets in pre-flight training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, participate in a formal sunset retreat ceremony. View of a cadet slowly lowering the American flag as three buglers sound Evening Colors. The body of cadets is assembled in large formations in the background.
U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadets at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, are seen relaxing in their barracks in the evening. They do various things like writing letters, and studying. Next, they are seen being inspected by an Air Force Officer tactical officer, who walks through the barracks where cadets stand at attention next to their respective bunks. Closeups of one cadet, standing in a "brace" (exaggerated form of attention demanded of cadets) while the inspecting officer points at his shoes.