Assault Course

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The Assault Course (sometimes called the "A-Course" or the "Bayonet Assault Course") is a physically challenging course completed by cadets during Basic Cadet Training, and often again during Recognition. It involves learning close quarters combat, then negotiating a course that requires the negotiation of obstacles with a rifle and bayonet.

A-Course cadre also run the Big Bad Basic competition.

[edit] Assault Course traditions

  • The "warm up" was generally the worst part of running the Assault Course.
  • Basics who desired a little additional training would chant, "The A-Course is a gay course" as they ran/marched in formation to the obstacle.
  • When asked what the purpoose of the bayonnette was, those same cadets would reply "To slice, dice, and make julienne fries." This was a takeoff of one-time Assault Course decorum, when the proper response to the question "What is the spirit of the bayonette?" from one of the A-Course cadre, was "To kill".
  • Assault course cadre are usually the most physically imposing cadets available, e.g., football team members. One such cadet caused an unbelievable ruckus in 1974 by literally biting the heads off of horned toads and spitting them out at the basics. Although no disciplinary action was taken (as far as I know), the repercussions tamed down the once over-the-top performances of this group. Quatermass '76
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