Third Weekend Summary & Look Ahead

Graham and his fellow Basics are now 18 days into Basic Cadet Training. Just twenty-three more days until they are accepted into the Cadet Wing on Acceptance Day on August 7. Jackie and I will be flying out for A-Day and will to spend about two hours with him.

This last week the basic cadets went to the Uniform Warehouse and were fitted and issued: Service and work gloves, blue blouses and shirts, along with ABU (Airmen Battle Uniform), flight and service caps. Hopefully they all received the right size caps so they stay on during the numerous activities that they’ll be used for as it does get quite windy at times at the Air Force Academy. 

Graham appeared to be in good spirits at the Uniform Warehouse. The only clothes they were allowed to bring on I-Day was some underwear and their combat boots. Everything else was issued.

The Basics all went through the Aquatic Screener (screening process), to test their abilities in the water and to figure out what PE Swimming classes they’ll be put into during the Academic year.  

It appeared Graham was in his comfort zone during the Aquatic Screening session.

They went back to the Cadet Store to restock on personal hygiene products and any other needed essential supplies. 

Graham at the Cadet Store last week.

On Thursday they took the AFT (Aerobic Fitness Test). There they were timed on a mile and a half run. 

Guessing he did just fine on the AFT, altitude and all. 

They kept up their fitness with Intramurals and Intercollegiate team practices in anticipation of Field Day on Friday. The Flying Tigers continued their dominance of the physical activities (Intramurals and Field Day).  The Hellcats finished fourth of the eight squadrons.

No idea which event his was tagged to do, but here is Graham stretching. 

BCT 1 wrapped up on Saturday with a morning trip back to Intramurals and I.C team practices to get their blood flowing. Then it was off to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo to enjoy some good old fashioned western entertainment before going back to meet their new BCT 2 Cadre.  The Cadre are the leaders for each squadron and flights within each squadron. They are upperclassmen. I sort of feel bad for Graham, as the kids got to chow down at the rodeo, only to be bussed back where their new Cadre where waiting, and it was like In-Processing day all over again. Yelling. Commands. Push-ups. Planks. All on stomachs full of whatever they ate at the rodeo.

On this IM day, appears Graham did volleyball instead of his usual soccer. Hey, he's a smart kid....look at all the chicks!

Then it was off to the rodeo.

Graham at the rodeo among his fellow cadets, class of 2022.

Must have had a good time.

This coming week there will be more trips back to the C-Store and Intramurals/practice. The Basics will be given an Airmanship/Jump demonstration. Additionally, they’ll go to the Barbershop/Salon to tidy up later on this week before heading out to Jacks Valley.

On Friday they’ll take the last PFT (Physical Fitness Test) of BCT. Saturday they’ll get a much-needed time of rest at sponsor’s homes to unwind and recharge. Accompanied by some good food and a long shower or both. Hopefully Graham will get his phone back for a chance to call us.

Then Sunday is the big day! The March Out to Jacks Valley. Jacks Valley is a 3,300-acre training complex located within the Academy boundaries (USAFA is a 18,500-acre campus).  It is named after the Jacks family who used to own the land.  I’ll touch more on Jacks Valley in future blogs but to keep it simple, the basics go out there, pitch big tents, and camp out. 

What do they do out there? Remember when we were young and watched movies like Private Benjamin, Stripes, Officer and a Gentleman, etc.?  Yup, running over obstacles; falling in the mud; crawling through dirt. That's it! It’s about to get real for Graham.