Class of 2028 complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Class of 2028 basic cadets clear the last wall of the Assault Course during expeditionary skills training at Jacks Valley July 16, 2024. They marched back to the Cadet Wing July 26, 2024 alongside alumni. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
By Randy Roughton
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Class of 2028 marched 5.2 miles back from Jacks Valley expeditionary skills training July 26 a month after they arrived on In-processing Day. Approximately 1,100 basic cadets will complete Basic Cadet Training next week, a giant step toward their goal of becoming future warfighters in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
During their time at Jacks Valley, along with the intensive physical training, the basic cadets continued to improve their attention to details. From wearing their uniform correctly to keeping their sleeping areas tidy and addressing the cadet cadre correctly, these seemingly minor details will prepare them to be successful in their military careers.
“All of these small details they learned are important to becoming our nation’s future warfighters,” said Master Sgt. Justin Johnson, BCT Squadron 27 Academy military trainer. “They are the kinds of details they must master, so they can be ready to tackle the bigger things they will face as warfighters.”
Johnson, an 18-year Air Force avionics maintainer, stressed the importance of military standards.
“Deviating from standards could cause catastrophic damage to an aircraft, and worst of all, our fellow Airmen or Guardians can become casualties of a plane crash,” said Johnson. “It is imperative that an officer understands when leading a maintenance team, for example, lives are on the line and details matter.”
During their two weeks in Jacks Valley, the class completed 11 courses, including the Assault Course, Obstacle Course, Confidence Course and Leadership Reaction Course and became familiarized with firearms that they will use in the future.
Cadet cadre lead the Class of 2028 on a 5.2-mile march to Jacks Valley to begin two weeks of intensive physical training July 15, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Basic cadets wear blue caps as they march. Each class is assigned one of four rotating colors. Blue is the Class of 2028’s color. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Personal gear is placed in green duffle bags and arranged by squadron. In the background, the conex units is where the basic cadets sleep with 16 basic cadets living in each unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
A basic cadet responds to instructions as he collects the duffel bag that contains personal gear such as uniforms, any religious materials and toiletries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
A basic cadet uses his hands to determine his dominant eye during combat arms training and maintenance at Jacks Valley. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Basic cadets learn how to handle the M-18 pistol during combat arms training and maintenance during Second Basic Cadet Training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Basic cadets fire the M-18 pistol at targets on the firing range during combat arms training and maintenance. Each BCT squadron will visit the range to shoot the basic marksmanship course. Basic cadets can earn their marksmanship badge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Basic cadets apply small arms training skills they learned in the classroom on the firing range. This year, basic cadets changed from shooting rifles to shooting handguns because it is more common to be deployed with a pistol side arm as an officer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Basic cadets study their maps as they prepare for the challenge of the land navigation course. This course is part of Second Basic Cadet Training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
For some basic cadets, the land navigation course was their first time using a compass. The course consists of 15 points and is designed to teach compass and map reading in unfamiliar terrain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Basic cadets receive instructions before beginning foundational expeditionary skills training. The 23-hour program involves intensive training in deployment-critical skills, such as area security and tactical combat casualty care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Basic cadets practice tactical combat casualty care during foundational expeditionary skills training. During FEST, the class learns how to care for wounded teammates and are in a simulated deployed combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
A Basic cadet makes his way along a rope on the Obstacle Course, a mentally and physically taxing course. Basic cadets must complete 11 challenging courses during BCT. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adalyn Greene)
A basic cadet keeps a grip on a log during a challenging portion on the Obstacle Course, tactical training that tests their endurance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adalyn Greene)
A cadet cadre member motivates a basic cadet to keep moving to complete a challenge on the Obstacle Course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adalyn Greene)
A Class of 2028 basic cadet clears a wall on the Obstacle Course challenging his endurance, flexibility and strength. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Basic cadets don their gas masks during chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense training. They had their first gas chamber experience as part of the training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
Basic cadets decontaminate their gas masks upon exiting the gas chamber during the class’s chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
Basic cadets engage in pugil stick combat. Each squadron sends its winner to compete in the Big Bad Basic competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adalyn Greene)
Master Sgt. Alex Rose observes Class of 2028 basic cadets as they respond to a simulated attack on the Assault Course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Carrying her M-16 training device, a basic cadet charges forward to the next obstacle on the Assault Course. This is the most physically challenging course at Jacks Valley. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
On the Assault Course, basic cadets crawl through dirt and mud. The course is designed to push basic cadets to their limit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
With a look of determination, a basic cadet keeps moving forward to the next challenging obstacle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
At the Assault Course a basic cadet grits her way through the barb wire low crawl. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Basic cadets celebrate after clearing an obstacle on the Assault Course. The course is one of 11 courses each squadron must complete during Second Basic Cadet Training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
The “Only the Strong Survived” sign greets basic cadets as they complete the physically and mentally strenuous Assault Course at Jacks Valley. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Basic cadets line up with their M-16 training devices above their heads. They rinse off mud after completing the Assault Course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
The Class of 2028 march back to the cadet area alongside senior leaders and almost 200 alumni July 26, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
See more photos from Second Basic Cadet Training at Jacks Valley on Flickr.
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Cadet cadre lead the Class of 2028 on a 5.2-mile march to Jacks Valley to begin two weeks of intensive physical training July 15, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets wear blue caps as they march. Each class is assigned one of four rotating colors. Blue is the Class of 2028’s color. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Personal gear is placed in green duffle bags and arranged by squadron. In the background, the conex units is where the basic cadets sleep with 16 basic cadets living in each unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
A basic cadet responds to instructions as he collects the duffel bag that contains personal gear such as uniforms, any religious materials and toiletries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
A basic cadet uses his hands to determine his dominant eye during combat arms training and maintenance at Jacks Valley. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets learn how to handle the M-18 pistol during combat arms training and maintenance during Second Basic Cadet Training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets fire the M-18 pistol at targets on the firing range during combat arms training and maintenance. Each BCT squadron will visit the range to shoot the basic marksmanship course. Basic cadets can earn their marksmanship badge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets apply small arms training skills they learned in the classroom on the firing range. This year, basic cadets changed from shooting rifles to shooting handguns because it is more common to be deployed with a pistol side arm as an officer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets study their maps as they prepare for the challenge of the land navigation course. This course is part of Second Basic Cadet Training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
For some basic cadets, the land navigation course was their first time using a compass. The course consists of 15 points and is designed to teach compass and map reading in unfamiliar terrain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets receive instructions before beginning foundational expeditionary skills training. The 23-hour program involves intensive training in deployment-critical skills, such as area security and tactical combat casualty care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets practice tactical combat casualty care during foundational expeditionary skills training. During FEST, the class learns how to care for wounded teammates and are in a simulated deployed combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
A Basic cadet makes his way along a rope on the Obstacle Course, a mentally and physically taxing course. Basic cadets must complete 11 challenging courses during BCT. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adalyn Greene)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
A basic cadet keeps a grip on a log during a challenging portion on the Obstacle Course, tactical training that tests their endurance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adalyn Greene)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
A cadet cadre member motivates a basic cadet to keep moving to complete a challenge on the Obstacle Course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adalyn Greene)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
A Class of 2028 basic cadet clears a wall on the Obstacle Course challenging his endurance, flexibility and strength. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets don their gas masks during chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense training. They had their first gas chamber experience as part of the training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets decontaminate their gas masks upon exiting the gas chamber during the class’s chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets engage in pugil stick combat. Each squadron sends its winner to compete in the Big Bad Basic competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adalyn Greene)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Master Sgt. Alex Rose observes Class of 2028 basic cadets as they respond to a simulated attack on the Assault Course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Carrying her M-16 training device, a basic cadet charges forward to the next obstacle on the Assault Course. This is the most physically challenging course at Jacks Valley. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
On the Assault Course, basic cadets crawl through dirt and mud. The course is designed to push basic cadets to their limit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
With a look of determination, a basic cadet keeps moving forward to the next challenging obstacle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
At the Assault Course a basic cadet grits her way through the barb wire low crawl. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets celebrate after clearing an obstacle on the Assault Course. The course is one of 11 courses each squadron must complete during Second Basic Cadet Training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
The “Only the Strong Survived” sign greets basic cadets as they complete the physically and mentally strenuous Assault Course at Jacks Valley. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
Basic cadets line up with their M-16 training devices above their heads. They rinse off mud after completing the Assault Course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Class of 2028 Complete Second Basic Cadet Training
The Class of 2028 march back to the cadet area alongside senior leaders and almost 200 alumni July 26, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)