Up and Running!
Good Morning Everyone!
Thanks again for your patience as our IT folks worked to discover the gremlins in the system that have been causing us problems. Nothing is every exact in the world of computer code, but things seem to be stable now.
First, a bit about yesterday. Demons and Guts were on the Obstacle Course, Aggressors were on the Confidence Course, Cobras on the Leadership Reaction Course (LRC) & Flying Tigers on CBRNE. Barbarians & Hellcats did their walk-thru of the Assault Course. Executioners were at CATM (The shooting range). We have photos of everyone except Barbarians, Hellcats, & Executioners. Fear not, there are good reasons. The Barbarians and Hellcats were on their walk-through of the Assault Course, where they learn how to cover the obstacles. We will get them when they do it for real. For CATM, remember how we can't be two places at once due to the escort issue. Well, CATM is not located close to the other JV courses, so we had to choose. Just like in BCT 1, we will get everyone eventually doing something cool and you will all see all the courses. Last bit of housekeeping. Guts showed up an hour early for their run through the Obstacle Course, so they were almost finished when we got there. We will make it up to you and catch all of them doing one of the other courses if we possible can. Some things are just out of our control.
Now, speaking of courses...
We have posted this blog entry for a number of years now. It describes the Jacks Valley "courses" and what your Basics will be doing over their time in the Valley. I will have a detailed description of the elements of each course (with pictures) in a later blog, but wanted to get this up to get you started.
REPOST (BUT TWEAKED)
Real activities in Jacks Valley start on Day 2 (Monday, July 25, 2016). This is when they begin cycling through all of the activities and courses. I will describe the courses below.
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) Assault Course is Negative 50. Pugil-Stick Competition is 8 if you are landing blows, but Negative 8 if you are taking them.
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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 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 TranslationYou get to shoot stuff.
WebGuy Rating (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10)CATM is 7.
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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 TranslationClimb around on high obstacles with classmates.
WebGuy Rating (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10)Confidence Course is 8
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Leadership Reaction Course
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: Problem solving.
WebGuy Rating (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10) Leadership Reaction Course is 8
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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 TranslationYou learn all that icky First Aid stuff. Necessary, but not pleasant.
WebGuy Rating (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10) Self-Aid is 2
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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 TranslationClimb, crawl, jump over and under obstacles. 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
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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. Booooooo.
WebGuy Rating (Fun Level Scale 1 - 10)
CBRNE is Negative 30. Note: this is still a higher rating than the Assault Course.
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The Basics will also do other activities such as Honor Lessons, Flight Drill, Weapon Drill, and PT.
Ok. I am off to take photos myself, but will back back in a bit to catch up on the blogging.