With the entrance of the United States into the First World War, more eligible men were needed to quickly fill the ranks of the army. The War Department proposed the Student Army Training Corps, which would displace the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) during war time only. The Student Army Training Corps program provided men with military and technical training. Men who enrolled in the program lived and ate on campus and received military training in addition to attending classes. Planning for the program at the U of A began in the summer of 1918. Temporary barracks were put up for the extra men, and the campus was under military discipline with posted guards. Classes were offered in radio operation, carpentry, and auto trades which were taught by both civilian and military instructors. The first detachment of men arrived on June 15, 1918. During the fall semester, the U of A continued to offer regular classes to female students and non-military males, who were mostly under the age of 18. The semester was further complicated by a severe influenza outbreak, which delayed the start of classes. With the Armistice signed on November 11, 1918, the program was short in duration. The last detachment left on December 20, 1918, which allowed the University to return to its normal activities.