Obstacle Course

From USAFA Folklore

The Obstacle Course (O-Course) is a physically challenging course completed by cadets during Basic Cadet Training, and often again during Recognition. The Obstacle Course, known as "Hell's Half Acre" was originally in the wooded area between Arnold Hall and the athletic fields, but was moved to Jack's Valley in 2001. Nowadays the old obstacle course is occasionally used during the academic year for the "Ropes Course", a team-building exercise that is sort of a hybrid between the Confidence Course and Leadership Reaction Course. All other times, the site is off-limits, but as it is a handy shortcut for cadets on the way to and from intramurals the off-limits signs rarely deter them.

[edit] Obstacle Course Traditions

• Usually the O-Course cadre was made up of football players and other cadets who could do the "big and mean" thing well in front of the Basics. O-Course cadre used to wear red berets, but changed to "Obstacle Course" baseball caps in ____.
• Whenever cadre said the words "Obstacle Course", basic cadets were required to respond with a loud and thunderous "Air Force".
  • This tradition was often exercised by the repetition of the "Obstacle Course"/"Air Force" exchange over and over, followed by the cadre member saying only "Obstacle-"; the Basics would only get out "Air-" before they realized that they weren't supposed to respond. A chewing-out by cadre about failure to follow instructions or attention to detail would then normally commence.
• Basics have been known to chant "The O-Course is a blow course" on their way to or from the O-Course. Saying this at the O-Course, however, generally gets one into trouble.