Trainees march out for field portion of basic cadet training

  • Published
  • By Butch Wehry
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  The Air Force Academy’s Class of 2008 marched 7.8 miles from the school’s Terrazzo to their Jacks Valley tent city July 23 to begin the field portion of basic cadet training.

Nine squadrons consisting of almost 1,300 trainees, along with their cadre and academy leaders, formed up on the Terrazzo in the cadet area here. At 7:30 a.m., they began marching by squadron to Jacks Valley, located on the northern portion of the academy military reservation.

“The march out went better than planned,” said Tech. Sgt. John Coleman, 34th Training Squadron basic cadet training director. “We had great weather, not too hot, and the basics and cadre are all very motivated, and we have not had any serious injuries.”

Past marches to Jacks Valley were about 4.5 miles.

“The reason for the increased distance for the march out is to make training a little tougher, giving the (basic cadets) a bigger sense of accomplishment and to build the warrior spirit,” Sergeant Coleman said.

The field portion of training includes living in a tent city, running assault and obstacle confidence courses, learning first aid and completing a leadership-reaction course. They also participate in weapons drills, combat-arts training, physical fitness tests, inspections and other training to help develop their physical abilities, teamwork and leadership potential.