Turn Out Examination

From USAFA Folklore

In the early years of USAFA (1955 until at least 1965), if a cadet failed a course he was either, turned back to the next class, turned out of the Academy (expelled), or given the chance to take a Turn Out exam. He was normally assigned an academic instructor who would drill him day and night to insure that the cadet could successfully approve the turn-out exam. If the cadet passed the turn-out exam he was returned to his class. If the cadet failed the turn-out exam, the Academy would decide on two courses of action: expulsion from USAFA and turned back to the next class. Having to successfully take a "turn-out exam" was a traumatic experience and normally was a great motivator to study harder in the future.