From a page in the 1944 Manitowoc Lincoln High School annual headed "War Year in review," this photograph shows Lincoln senior Earl Swokowski scaling a wooden wall barricade during an outdoor physical education class. The accompanying caption describes Swokowski as "commando-trained." "Commando training" focusing on calisthenics and body-building was part of many high school physical education classes as organized under the national High School Victory Corps. The High School Victory Corps was established in 1942 by the U. S. Commissioner of Education. Its purpose was to prepare high school students to aid in the war effort both on the home front and on the front lines. In order to participate, both boys and girls had to take part in physical fitness programs, enroll in a war-effort class such as aeronautics or "home canning," and volunteer for at least one extracurricular wartime activity. Physical fitness and "commando training" were key components of the program because at the beginning of the war military officials were concerned about the poor condition of many new recruits and draftees. The High School Victory Corps was phased out beginning in June 1944.