Doolie Day Out

Friday was full of activities for the Hellcats squadron at USAFA. There was the second round of haircuts, as the basic cadets were back at the barbers to look nice and pretty for Doolie Day out. And let’s be honest, these were some pretty epic haircuts! This time they went from buzz cut to shorter buzz cut, if at all!

Cadet Maas, moments before his second USAFA scalping haircut

During the scalping 'cut.

And, after. OK, then. Like I said....epic. 

Why are the haircuts so short? Basic Cadet Training is the transition from civilian to military life. Part of that transition is the uniformity of hair standards for the basic cadets. The rigors of BCT put great demands on personal hygiene. The time allocated for personal hygiene needs to be maximized and short hair helps. Women are not required to cut their hair as long as they are able to secure it in a manner that prevents it from falling in their face, obstructing vision, or touching their collar. It must present a neat, professional appearance at all times. The time requirement for a woman to get her hair within standards is two minutes. Following BCT, hair can be cut and styled in the cadet barber or beauty shops.

There was also open ranks inspection. This is apparently a big deal. There are A LOT of specific movements and actions to perform. During the inspection, each cadet’s uniform is inspected and they are asked questions. And at some point, everyone gets to practice being a flight leader.

On Friday, all squadrons were also back at the PFT (Physical Fitness Test). Graham had let us know he had performed well in the first ‘practice’ PFT. You can read about that PFT, and learn more about it, by going to that previous blog entry.

If a cadet fails one or more items on the PFT and have a total score below 250, or if their 1.5-mile aerobics run time (AFT) is slower than 11:15 (men) or 13:31 (women), they will be deficient in physical education. The PFT committee may then take action on one of the following: A remedial conditioning program, athletic probation, attendance at a physical education program in place of leave during the summer term, turn back to the next class, or even disenrollment.

Graham scored 397 (out of 500) on his practice PFT test. In his practice AFT, he ran a 9:16 but held back a little…so no worries there either as that was almost a full two minutes under the required time.  In Friday's PFT Part Deux, Graham let us know he scored a 415. He maxed out the requirements for pull-ups, sit-ups, and push-ups, was less than 8-secs from the max in the 600-yard run, and met 'average' in the standing long-jump. There is only 1-minute allowed to rest in between each event. The total score put him well over the validation mark. The ‘thriving, not just surviving’ mantra continues.

Graham easily maxed out the required pull-ups (21) in under 2-minutes.

Graham maxed out on the sit-up requirement, 95 in under 2-minutes.

Saturday was Doolie Day Out (DDO). A ‘doolie’ is a Fourth-class cadet (a freshman). This is a term adopted by the Academy’s first cadet class, the Class of 1959, when they were in BCT. Doolie is a derivative of the Greek word “duolos”, which means “subject”. The colloquial term is used to refer to cadets in their freshman year by most graduates and outsiders, although the cadets themselves do not typically use it.

It was also the first opportunity for Graham to wear his dress blues, and he did not disappoint. He looks like a natural.

Cadet Maas, looking very sharp.

On DDO the cadets got to meet their sponsor families. The sponsor families picked the cadets up by 0930 and took them back to their house for the afternoon. This is the day (and only day) cadets would be able to directly call parents during BCT. Graham’s sponsor family are Dean and Angela Bancroft, who attended Jamestown (ND) college with Jackie. We all had the opportunity to meet with them at their house prior to I-Day.

Jackie and I got 'our call' a little before 1100. We spent about an hour on FaceTime discussing many different things. Remember, the basics have not had use of their cell phones....and have not had direct contact with family....since In-Processing Day on June 28. He's grown mentally and spiritually. And just the way he carries himself now. USAFA has been good for him, so far. And that's all I needed to hear. 

Two other cadets were also assigned to the Bancroft's and joined Graham. They were fed like proper kings, and little needs taken care of and supplies provided. All the cadets got to spend the entire day relaxing with their sponsor family, before being returned later in the evening by 1900. It was a ‘calm before the storm’ day, as the cadets march out to Jacks Valley bright and early Sunday where BCT gets dirty and very, very serious.

The Bancroft's sponsored cadets. Looking relaxed, rested, and well fed!