Two memos issued to Major Deke Slayton, including a hand-signed memo by Frank Borman and a mimeographed copy of a memo from Jim Lovell, both on the subject of astronaut training. First is a memo signed "Frank Borman," two pages, 8 x 10.5, February 26, 1963, in part: "The academic training program provided a basic background in the subjects of direct concern to manned space flight. The quality of instruction and the subject material varied from excellent to exceedingly poor…The following recommendations, based on the entire training period, are submitted:…The use of professional teachers (professors from local universities) in as many courses as possible is strongly urged. Almost without exception, the performance of NASA engineers in the theoretical subjects was very poor. This fact stems from a lack of time and teaching experience rather than from a lack of desire or ability…Classroom facilities need to be improved…Classroom instruction should be limited to a maximum of four one-hour lectures a day. Over scheduling results in almost a complete waste of everyone's time…Field trips directly associated with the subjects being presented are very useful…More time and thought should be given to integration of the various courses…The systems briefings presented by FCOD on the Gemini and Apollo were excellent." The mimeograph copy of Lovell's submission is three pages, dated March 6, 1963, and in it he makes similar points but breaks down his critique class by class. In fine condition, with a couple staple holes to upper left and mild edge toning. Both Borman and Lovell were selected as part of NASA's Astronaut Group 2 in September 1962, and these critiques cover the course of instruction provided between October 1962 and February 1963. Lovell and Borman flew together on both Gemini 7 in December 1965 and Apollo 8 in December 1968. Deke Slayton had been selected as part of Group 1, but was grounded in 1962 due to an irregular heart rhythm and transitioned into the role of Coordinator of Astronaut Activities; in November 1963, he would resign his commission as an Air Force Major to assume the role of Director of Flight Crew Operations, in which he was key in assigning astronaut crews. A unique pairing of early astronaut documents related to their introduction to the Gemini and Apollo programs.
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