Blue Rush

Cadet Maas has had his first relaxing weekend since June. Generally, two weekends per month at USAFA are devoted to military training (Silver Weekends). Training is from Friday afternoon through early Saturday afternoon. Activities during this time include room and uniform inspections, parades, marching practice, military briefings, guest speakers, and professional military education and training.

On non-training weekends (Blue Weekends), Cadets are permitted to leave the Academy if they have liberty. The Academy refers to liberties and authorizations as permission for Cadets to leave the Academy during off duty periods. Individual passes on Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday will depend on the Cadet’s class and on their overall squadron performance. Authorizations and liberties are gradually increased by class in recognition of added maturity and responsibility.

On Saturday, Graham was able to sleep in until 0900. He then had a leadership function and later Saturday afternoon the Academy had their annual Blue Rush.

Every year at the beginning of the Fall Semester the Academy holds their annual Blue Rush in Arnold Hall. Blue Rush allows all of the 4 Degrees (freshmen) to see what the Academy offers in the form of Cadet Clubs. There are a lot of clubs for the cadets to enjoy. Some clubs are Sports related, Recreational/Service, Mission based or Academic. With so many clubs to choose from the Cadets are given 3 hours to walk around and learn about each club by other Cadets who are currently members. With it being a new academic year, clubs’ numbers have slightly dropped with the graduating class having left. Now is the time for try-outs and bringing new Cadets in. This event is a mandatory activity for the new 4 Degrees and optional for upperclassmen.

Graham has his eye on a few clubs. On Friday, he tried out for the men’s soccer club. He figures has less than a 20% chance of making it, as over hundred cadets tried out. If he does not make the soccer club team, he plans to play IM soccer.

The next clubs that Graham has his eye on are related to his intention to minor in German. There is a German language club, similar to the German club he had while in high school. But most interesting is the German Proficiency Badge club.

The badge is a military decoration worn by the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, and it is an uncommon award for U.S. service members to earn. The GAFP Badge is prestigious in that it is one of a few foreign awards that is authorized for wear on U.S. military uniforms. The badge symbolizes the extensive annual test given to German soldiers that resembles the U.S. combat and fitness tests.

The German Proficiency Badge.

To earn the award, one must complete the following requirements:

1. Evaluation Report: Evaluation report from Commanding Officer recognizing the individual’s physical and moral standards. The purpose of the evaluation is to show evidence that the individual is both physically and morally fit.

2. First Aid Course: Combat Lifesaver Training (CLS) level 1 course or equivalent.

3. NBC Test: Individual must demonstrate that they can properly don a protective mask and all NBC protective clothing.

4. Basic Fitness Test:  Three events completed within 90 minutes. A 11x10-meter sprint test, in maximum time of 60 seconds. A Flexed Arm Hang keeping chin above bar, minimum time of five seconds. A 1000 meter run/sprint, maximum time of six minutes and thirty seconds.

5. Marksmanship: In order to qualify for the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency, it is necessary to demonstrate marksmanship skills. The individual must demonstrate their skill with different weapons, one light (pistole or MP), a rifle and one heavy weapon (MG or AT-launcher). There are several shooting exercises in the German Armed Forces use for each weapon which vary distance, number of targets, position of firing (standing, prone, lying down) and number of shots. The individual must reach a specified score in each of them.

6. Foot March: Foot March with 15kg (33lb) rucksack in specified time. The march must be accomplished in military uniform (ABU) and boots with a rucksack weighing no less than 15 kg.

7. 100 meter swim in Military Uniform: Swim is conducted in Military Uniform while wearing PT uniform (shorts and T-Shirt) underneath. There is a four-minute time limit for the swim. After swim is completed time stops; however, the individual must also successfully remove their outer uniform without touching the side of the pool to pass.

Graham said his current German instructor is the person in charge of the GAFP Badge, and intends to learn more about it.

On Sunday, Graham had a free day. His first since June 27^th. We were able to speak with him on Saturday night, and he was fine. Although looking like he needed some more sleep. Hopefully, Sunday fit that bill.