Basic cadets focus on next training obstacle

  • Published
  • By Eddie Kovsky
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  Academy cadets began their final two weeks of training recently with a 7.8 mile hike to Jacks Valley.

Almost 1,400 basic cadets from the class of 2009 marched from the main campus to the field training site they will call home during the field portion of basic cadet training.

The field portion of BCT includes living in a tent city, assault and obstacle courses, learning first aid, completing a leadership reaction course, and participating in weapons drills, physical fitness tests, inspections and other military training.

Of all the obstacle courses, however, Operation Warrior is the only course that runs all day. The course is designed to leave the cadets feeling “lost in the woods.”

“It’s more meat and potatoes,” said Master Sgt. Charles Jetton, an academy military instructor. “What they learned here is the foundation of their military education. Foundations are important.”

On the Operation Warrior course, cadets learned about entry control points and perimeter defense. To add to the realism, the cadre used simulated grenades to create the stress of a war zone while cadets learned to defend against an enemy attack.

The focus now is on fundamentals.

“Operation Warrior has changed quite a bit,” said Cadet 1st Class Josh Pascoe, a logistics cadre. “There are focused missions now instead of running around in the woods.”

The emphasis on teamwork is instilled in the cadets, who were eager to get their hands dirty in the field.

“The Jacks Valley training is more active and less boring,” said Basic Cadet Michael Mayra. “The Operation Warrior course definitely taught us that the guy next to you is more important than the mission. You’re only as good as (your) weakest link.”

“It’s nice to simulate wartime conditions,” said Basic Cadet Branden Lynam. “Basic training has been very tiring and very long. If you get stressed out over the challenge, the cadre will eat you alive.”

“You failed if you didn’t use teamwork,” said Basic Cadet John Rulien. “We really have to look out for each other.”

Basic cadets finish their training in Jacks Valley with the Warrior Run on Aug. 4, followed by the Acceptance Parade on Aug. 9, where they will be officially accepted into the cadet wing as fourth-class cadets. Classes begin for the entire cadet wing Aug. 10.