Jacks Valley

And now, the proverbial sh*t hits the fan. Sunday, the USAFA Class marched out to Jacks Valley, which is the meat-and-potatoes of basic cadet training.

Here come the Hellcats.

Graham is 2nd row from back, 3rd in, next to kid with glasses.

Lots of rain in the forecast!

Jacks Valley is a 3,300-acre training complex located within the Academy boundaries.  The location is the valley north of North Gate Boulevard.  It is named after the Jacks family who used to own the land.  So, to keep it simple, the basics go out there, pitch big tents, and camp out. 

Jackie was called "The General" in Boy Scouts, and Graham has the same look.

What do they do out there? Remember watching military related movies of with basic training aspects? All of the running over obstacles; falling in the mud; crawling through dirt. That's it!

Here is the layout.  The tents are set up in groupings by squadrons, each tent holds 10-12 Basic Cadets. Each basic has a cot and a sleeping bag. Every two basics will share a trunk where they can store their stuff.

Might even be more comfortable than the Eagle Scout is used to!

Graham is 3rd from left. Assuming this will be 'home' for the next 10-days once the tent is pitched.

As far as the dining goes, the basics eat in a large hut also known as deployed Mitch's. There are long picnic tables usually holding 30 or so basics. The way the basics eat in Jack's valley is much the same as they did in BCT 1. They just get to do it on picnic tables.

Where the cadets will eat, while in Jacks Valley

Picnic style food for the 1200 cadets of the Class of 2022

All of the Squadrons have restrooms and shower facilities down in Jacks Valley. They do get time to shower and keep up with personal hygiene.  They also still get their mail, so keep writing to Graham! 

Monday, the courses start.  The USAFA WebyGuy team of photographers will have coverage every day of most of the courses.  There is one exception, the LRC (Leadership Reaction Course).  That course is like solving a puzzle through teamwork, so apparently no photos are taken so as not to give away the solution. Every day there will be a squadron on that course and that will be the squadron not covered that day.

Another note is according to the weather forecast, the chance of rain is at 50% or greater for the first seven days of Jacks Valley, which might make it bad for photography coverage. Unless there’s lightening or torrential rains, the WebGuy team has assured us anxious parents there will be photos!

Note: You can see all the photos of Graham that we have found for Basic Cadet Training 2 at this Flickr Album. 

I’m now going to describe the Jacks Valley "courses" and what the basics will be doing over the time in the Valley. The course descriptions are courtesy of USAFA WebGuy, the people who take all the wonderful photos.

The real activities in Jacks Valley start on Day 2 (Monday….today!).  This is when they begin cycling through all of the activities and courses. 

Assault Course (Official Description)

Mission: The Assault Course teaches hand-to-hand combat skills and rifle fighting techniques while allowing basic cadets to practice these elements in controlled scenarios and pugil-stick competitions. The second-half of the course requires basic cadets to demonstrate these skills by completing the pugil-stick competition and negotiating a course of 18 obstacles/stations and demonstrating hand-to-hand and rifle fighting techniques in a controlled, but mentally and physically challenging environment. The course is designed to assess basic cadets' mental and physical stamina and confidence.

WebGuy Translation: You run around and hit stuff with your rifle. Then, for the pugil-stick competition, you get padded sticks and a helmet and you smack other basics.

WebGuy Rating (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10) The Assault Course is Negative 50. Pugil-Stick Competition is 8 if you are landing blows, but Negative 8 if you are taking them.                         

CATM (Combat Arms Training and Maintenance)

Mission: The course trains basic cadets on the nomenclature, assembly/disassembly, and safe operation of the Colt M-16A2 rifle.  Basic cadets fire at the Air Force Qualification Course (AFQC). If basic cadets earn an expert rating for the M-16 AFQC, they will be authorized the wear of the USAF small arms expert ribbon.

WebGuy Translation: You get to shoot stuff.

WebGuy Rating (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10) CATM is 7.

Confidence Course

Mission: The Confidence Course develops and assesses basic cadets' self-confidence and physical capabilities by guiding them, as individuals and teams, through a selected group of 15 obstacles which vary in height and difficulty. The course requires all basic cadets to demonstrate physical dexterity, teamwork, and cohesion to achieve successful outcomes.

WebGuy Translation: Climb around on high obstacles with classmates.

WebGuy Rating: (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10) Confidence Course is 8

Leadership Reaction Course (LRC) 

Mission: The Leadership Reaction Course (LRC) safely provides basic cadets experiences in functional leadership, effective followership, group and individual problem-solving, and group dynamics by working through six exercise scenarios. Assigned cadre provide critiques after scenario completion to enhance the learning experience.

WebGuy Translation: Group Problem solving.

WebGuy Rating: (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10) Leadership Reaction Course is 8

Self-Aid and Buddy Care Course

Mission: The Self-Aid and Buddy Care (SABC) Course train basic cadets on the principles of SABC so they can satisfactorily demonstrate injury recognition, response, treatment, and transportation in a variety of situations. The training culminates in a station-oriented exercise to test these skills in a field environment.

WebGuy Translation: You learn all that icky First Aid stuff.  Necessary, but not pleasant.

WebGuy Rating: (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10)    Self-Aid is 2

Obstacle Course

Mission: The Obstacle Course will teach and require basic cadets to negotiate 17 physically-challenging obstacles. It is designed to assess their physical fitness, agility, confidence and increase awareness of personal capabilities. The first time through the Obstacle Course is the orientation run.  The second time through the Obstacle Course basic cadets are timed.

WebGuy Translation: Climb, crawl, jump over and under obstacles.  Try to never, never fall in the water.  Think "Officer and a Gentleman" and war movies.

WebGuy Rating: (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10) Obstacle Course is 4

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Enhanced Conventional Weapons (CBRNE)

Mission: CBRNE will help prepare the Basics to face chemical warfare and know how to deal with various types of weaponry.

WebGuy Translation: You get tear-gassed.

WebGuy Rating: (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10) CBRNE is Negative 30.  (Note: this is still a higher rating than the Assault Course.)

The Basics will also do other activities such as Honor Lessons, Flight Drill, Weapon Drill, and PT. 

So, there you have it.  The big milestone of BCT-2 is underway!