15 Mar 07 - 2230 MDT
The Courses are named:
(1) Assault Course; (2) Chutes and Ladders; (3) Academy Tour; (4) Leadership Course

(1) "Assault Course"
Mission: Provide fourth-class cadets with a physically and mentally challenging experience that will aid in their transformation as Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy.  The Assault Course will test every forth-class cadet and bring each to his or her individual limits. 

WebGuy Note:  As mentioned below, this will not take place on the Assault Course in Jack's Valley.  It will take place on fields near the cadet area.  However, the activities and exertions are intended to be rigorous, similar to the summer Assault Course.

(2) "Chutes and Ladders"
Mission: The purpose is to exercise the fourth-class cadets' mastery of knowledge and teamwork in a medium-stress environment with physical exertion.

WebGuy Translation: Cadets will go station-to-station where they will be given a physical exercise or task to complete, followed by knowledge questions.  Get question right, move on to next station.  Get it wrong, do some mo'.  Try again.

(3) "Academy Tour"
Mission: Instill knowledge of the customs, traditions, and heritage of the Air Force and the Academy to the fourth-class cadets, while incorporating the Academy's history and more importantly why the Academy exists. 

WebGuy Note: This will take place on the Terrazzo at different landmarks: Class Wall; Flat Area; Graduate Memorial; Eagle and Fledgling Statue; Spirit Hill.  This looks interesting because it has the chance to lock in some of the history and heritage in their minds, beyond just reading it amongst other knowledge in a book.

(4) "Leadership Course"
Mission: Provide a low intensity environment which will foster a sense of leadership and teamwork among the four-degrees.  This course will provide many four-degrees the opportunity to step up and lead their classmates through challenges, encouraging the important characteristics of confidence and judgment expected of the Class of 2010 after Recognition.

WebGuy Note:  Although the name makes it sound like the Leadership Reaction Course from BCT, after looking into it, I would place it closer to the kind of team-building exercises you might experience during a company's leadership training off-site.  More mental, interacting with the other members of the group to solve problems.  Not like BCT where the problem requires a mental and physical solution to complete the obstacle.  (Clear as mud?)

Well, I better get to bed.  My wife is snoring next to me.  Ooops.  Let me rephrase that in case one of you ever meet her.  She is not snoring.  She is breathing with an attitude.  Whew!  I could have been sunk on that one.

Good night!  Go Phillies!


15 Mar 07 - 2200 MDT
OK.  As I mentioned earlier, the fourthclass cadets should wake up at 0530.  Reveille Formation at 0530.  Breakfast at 0600.  Meal ends no later than 0630.  Transit to morning activities by 0700.

The squadrons appear to broken into 8 different groups:
1-5; 6-10; 11-15; 16-20; 21-25; 26-30; 31-35; 36-40.
Throwing originality out the window, I will refer to them as:
Sqds 1-5; Sqds 6-10; Sqds 11-15; Sqds 16-20;
Sqds 21-25; Sqds 26-30; Sqds 31-35; Sqds 36-40.

Throughout the morning and afternoon, the Sqds will be cycled through 4 distinct "courses" in, and surrounding the cadet area.  In addition, they will also also participate in additional "Squadron Discretionary Time".

15 Mar 07 - 1710 MDT
"Squadron Discretionary Time" will continue through until 2130.  At 2130, the fourthclass is scheduled to take a knowledge test until 2200.  Once it is completed, there will be another 30 minutes of "Squadron Discretionary Time". 

At 2230, "Hygiene" is scheduled.  (Does that remind you of the postings from BCT?)

TAPS will be at 2300.

On Friday, "Get Up Doolies!!!!" or whatever high-decibel greeting they have prepared will take place at 0500. 

The Reveille Formation will take place at 0530.
Jersey explanation:  Same as Thursday night's Retreat Ceremony, only in reverse.  Flag goes up the pole.

Well, there are other differences, but you should remember them from BCT :)

Morning meal at 0600.  Mmmmmm.  What can be better than some hotcakes and bacon at 6AM with a morning of activities ahead of you. 

Unofficial - I'll stop there at breakfast.  I have to head out to run a church board meeting from 1800 - 2030.   When I get home tonight, I'll fill in some of the morning activities so you'll have them when you wake up tomorrow and check the site.  I'll head out and snap some photos of the activities so you can put pictures to activities.

Woo Hoo!  Go Air Force! Beat Navy! (Always a good cheer year-round)

15 Mar 07 - 1645 MDT
At 1700 (5PM), the Wing is scheduled to begin forming up for a Wing-Wide Retreat.  On the schedule, it shows a 1730 Wing-Wide Retreat.  Here's the Jersey, non-official explanation for those who are not familiar with a retreat ceremony.  The Wing (all the cadets) will form up on the Terrazzo in squadrons.  (just like they do for a noon meal formation).  The cadets will be brought to attention and directed to salute as the American Flag is lowered for the day.  Once that is complete, the squadrons will be dismissed.

After the squadrons are dismissed, they are scheduled to have dinner at Mitchell Hall at 1800. 

At 1830, their will be a "Recognition Opening Brief" at Mitchell Hall.  The length is unknown.  After that, the cadets will return to their dormitories for "Squadron Discretionary Time".  (aka - training).

15 Mar 07 - 1640 MDT
OK.  It's about to start.  I'll start typing some info.

15 Mar 07 - 1230 MDT
I wanted to check in so you don't think I forgot all of you.  Since the cadets are doing a normal academic class schedule today, I don't want to release any information that could give anyone an unfair advantage.  Tomorrow will include some photos.


14 Mar 07 - 1300 MDT
Recognition Overview
The USAFA mission is to commission leaders of character who embody the Air Force Core Values … committed to societal, professional and individual responsibilities, empowered by integrated intellectual and warrior skills and grounded in essential knowledge of the profession of arms and the human and physical worlds.  The Officer Development system (ODS) provides a holistic framework to develop cadets into leaders of character.  Recognition is the culminating event during the fourth-class year that provides every cadet an experience under ODS to prepare them to lead Airmen as an officer of character, and to develop both as a leader, and a follower, as a professional and a warrior.  Successful completion of recognition signifies that four degrees have developed their understanding of commitment to duty and foster the concept of teamwork in successful mission completion, and are awarded the prop and wings insignia marking recognition as full members of the cadet wing.

Recognition Mission:
Provide fourth-class cadets a safe, yet physically challenging and motivating experience through a sequence of squadron and wing-level events which exercise USAFA expectations of the fourth-class within the ODS construct: 

Four degree cadets are expected to gain the following recognition outcomes:
(1) Knowledge of the customs, traditions, and heritage of the Air Force and the Academy.
(2) Discipline and a sense of duty, honor, and ethics.
(3) Respect for authority, subordinates, and self.
(4) Mental and physical habit patterns that will be called upon later in military profession.
(5) A sense of unity, teamwork, and class identity.
(6) Effective time management skills through a system of prescribed duties.
(7) An understanding of proper superior-subordinate relationships.
(8) A sense of accomplishment and self-confidence that will enable each fourth class cadet to function in a demanding environment.

Provide the three upper classes an opportunity to develop leadership skills by exercising their class roles in relation to ODS and the PITO model (personal, interpersonal, team, and organizational leadership).

 14 Mar 07 - 1145 MDT
Recognition for the Class of 2010 will begin tomorrow.  I will try to get out with the AOG photographer to catch some glimpses into what is going on.  Some events may be open; others will not.  I'll check back in tomorrow as I learn more.