<p>I knew two females in BCT that hideously failed the O-course and I think they might have failed the Assault course too. They also failed almost every obstacle we did on the confidence course. They both passed BCT no problem. I hope things changed this year. </p>
<p>Speaking of CATM, I am going to the range here at my ops base to try and qualify again on the M16A2 as well as do night vision sight training on them. From 2-11 PM. Should be awesome! Hopefully the course won't be full with anyone else so that 2 of us here can participate! Tomorrow I will hopefully qualify with the M9 baretta as well. :)</p>
<p>We (2010) had been at Jack's Valley about a week or so for Global Engagement, a program meant to simulate a deployment of sorts...filled with all kinds of exercises and classes. On Monday we had our culminating event, Exercise Day. We actually got up 2 hours earlier than the basics did, bright and early at 2:30, and went through simulated attacks and related combat duties until about 3 or 4 in the afternoon.</p>
<p>One of the things they do on Exercise Day is randomly bombard the camp with mortars and gunfire, and on occasion...CS gas. CS gas is a form of tear gas that is renowned for its...well...extreme effectiveness, while not being very dangerous. I checked it online and it was used in Vietnam to get the Viet Kong out of their tunnels and out into the open. Apparently the British have used it to quell numerous riots, and it is used in riot control grenades. </p>
<p>We (2010 again) had to go into the gas chamber ("mass confidence chamber" for PC reasons) earlier in the week and take a few good deep breaths of CS gas to learn how it affects our bodies. It causes burning sensations in the skin (and especially the eyes or anything moist), tearing, mucus release, and if you get enough of it, it also causes the throat to constrict and you could experience reactionary coughing or vomiting...not fun stuff. On the plus side, your sinuses will be clear. :)</p>
<p>Anyway, to get to the point, our camp was located directly across the road from the CATM range. I believe the Interceptors were at CATM that day. One of the instructors popped two full canisters of CS gas on the camp during an attack. Problem was...the very strong east wind took almost 95% of that gas straight into the CATM range. We could hear the cadre yelling at the basics to face the wind, and the big voice (loudspeakers) warning them not to touch their face (since doing so makes it even more painful).</p>
<p>Long story short...they tried to gas us and ended up gassing the basics instead on accident. :)</p>
<p>Not to worry any parents...CS gas is not comparatively dangerous and its effects go away after 10 minutes or so once you are not in the gas anymore, but it is extremely unpleasant. Your basics will either have an amazing story to tell about their gas experience, or know someone who does. On another note, all the cadre and permanent party with them also go gassed, since noone over at CATM has the gas masks or suits that we wear at GE. So your basics' cadre also got it. :)</p>
<p>Thanks guyforChrist for the whole story. I remember a posting a few weeks back by one of the upperclassman saying something like "just wait until Jack's Valley and the co-ed showers" no explaination offered. As for me, I was a little uncomfortable until just a couple of days ago there were pictures and videos posted. You guys like to stir the pot a bit. :)</p>
<p>G4C- I guess this gives our basics a taste of things to come. D called that afternoon and never even said a word. I'll have to ask her about it. Thanks for the story keeps us parents on our toes as to what they are doing out there everyday. It will just help them all build character.</p>
<p>tx2011: every squad does certain courses (O and A course) twice. the first is a "run through" where there learn how to do the obstacles and the basic fighting manuevers, as well as get beat. the 2nd time is the "real thing" where they are tested for time on the O course, and the a course has the full effect of smoke and grenades. the 2nd time is run straight through, where as the first time you jump around and may go through more than once or not all the way through.</p>
<p>G4C or Hornetguy, ? for either of you. Do they still do the warrior run out of jack's or is it just a march back? By run, I mean I read about a 35 mile run by the whole class in years pass. Thanks for the Info</p>
<p>It's supposed to be a march back, then the next day (I think the next day) it was the warrior run which is maybe a 2 mile course. It's probably 2/3s running (SLOW jog) and 1/3 walking when the terrain prevents running. Definitely not a 35 miles run though, no worries there!</p>
<p>Ok, this mom is offically a little freaked out. Yesterday I received a letter from my daughter asking me to send her new retainers because she broke them in a fall. She stated that she was fine...just as she always does...but then today I just saw a picture of my daughter with crutches at Jack's Valley. I have not heard anything saying she was injured...so I hope it is not something serious. </p>
<p>Could she be seriously injured and yet not hear from her? Do they have the cadet's use crutches for minor bangs/bruises? What happens if she cannot complete part of the course/warrior run? She is an IC for Track (sprints)..how does that affect the bigger pictures? Questions, questions, questions. This sure is hard not having answer. </p>
<p>Thanks for listening & thanks in advance for any answers.
The mailman just thought he was being stalked.....</p>
<p>Since she is so close to being done, I'm sure that she is in no danger of failing BCT. The warrior run will not mean she can't pass, the injured people usually just support them at the end watching. It sucks, but they still pass. </p>
<p>For track, they will simply fix her up like you would for any other injury. So, she will be able to heal just fine as long as its not an ACL or MCL injury. Then she'll be able to get back into track no problem. Not being able to run will NOT affect her ability to remain at USAFA like it might at a civilian college. </p>
<p>Basically, since you haven't heard from her, it sounds to me like they are not going to take any paths to turnback. No news is good news here.</p>
<p>the warrior run did used to be 35 miles. but it was a relay. ppl ran in groups of 2 or so, and depending on your running ability, ran anywhere from 0.75 to 4 miles. now they just do it all together.</p>
<p>Jack's Valley was fun, and not too hard. Then again, depends on which squadron you were in.
However, I personally sustained a spinal ligament injury from falling off an obstacle on the o-course and am a medical turnback. So here I am back home in a neck brace. Lesson learned: do not fall off the obstacle course. But I should recover in 4-6 weeks.</p>
<p>So sorry to hear that Fudge_Rabbit will you be able to return next year? What squadron were you in? Hard going all that way and having an accident so close to the end.</p>