BCT 2 - Jacks Valley

March out to Jack's Valley is the start of BCT - 2. This is the more tactical side of Basic and includes the gas chamber, assault course, obstacle course, leadership course, gun range, very tight sleeping quarters, tent sleeping, hostage situations, some stuff that I can't know about, etc. It is a 6.2 mile march with their gear and rifles across the campus to the wilderness valley on the northside of the campus. Fortunately for pictures, Grant was located on an outside edge. They are lined up by height within the entire squadron (Hellcats).

More of this, please, photographer!

A huge part of being a cadet is developing leadership skills through serving as Cadre during Basic. This is Luke and he's been Reid's pen pal for nearly three years now.  Luke and several of his hockey teammates were the cadre in charge of the assault course - the most physically demanding day of all of basic training.  The course has 16 stations, and the dead time between each station is filled with physical exertion things. There is also lots of noise/banging, smoke and water throughout.  Jason, Reid and I just laughed at the pictures we found of Luke bc he looks so tough and mean. He's a freaking bada$$ on the hockey rink but super nice in real life.

Try picking out a white guy in camo among 800 other white guys in camo.  It's LOTS of fun.  :) Once we saw his mouthguard was lime green, then that was a little helpful

The next ones are from different days all in Jack's Valley.

One thing we thought a lot looking at these: when did our kid get to be the tall one?!?

Where they stayed... basically 9 bunks to a shipping container.  Everyone got "Jack's Hack" sickness.

Marching back to campus after Jack's Valley....

supported by his family!

these are the alums - wearing their colors.

They usually march behind all of the basics on the way back from Jacks as a sign of solidarity.

Grant started out on the outside and then a basic's dad was marching with them and he moved to the outside to visit so the pictures will change some during the walk.

and when you zoom in on his flight photo... a HUGE smile!

Ready to eat some lunch!

Back to campus and back to marching.

a parent was on site and took these and happened to catch them arriving back to their dorms.

Grant is 3rd guy in middle - his head is partly hidden

they were given fresh haircuts! He's waiting in line to get his.

All military cadets of every branch are measured multiple times each semester on physical fitness -Long jump, situps, pushups, 1.5 mile run... this was their first official measurement. 

Neat to have pictures of it.

This may be my favorite picture from all of his pictures.  He's leading the pack at the end of the training.  Head up. Confident. Staring right at the camera. Tough as nails.

Doolie Day out - they get to go with their sponsor family for a Saturday afternoon. We talked a few times this day. He shared a note from a letter including the "fresh Hawaiian air" sent from a friend who lives on Oahu.

our first time to see his blues.

the other cadet with his sponsor family, Ethan.

Back to reality at USAFA - webguy caught him at a brief.

One of the last days of BCT - Living History day. Leland McAbee is behind him and he's one of his good buddies. One of his current roommates is in the front with glasses - Brennan.

BCT 1 roomie - Keanu Gotay - smiling

Love, LOVE, LLOOVVEE this photo - Why?

Because it has five of his six people in it!

Jenna, Lee, Grant, Adi, Dom, Lily, Missing Keanu

non-cropped

Hellcat Delta 2027

soon-to-be

Jedi Knights Squadron 39

last day - Big Bad Basic and A-Day Parade practice

I see the celebration going on amid the sweat stains!

This is just fun USAFA stuff I didn't know where to put it -

Oklahoma Parent's Club pins!

Morse Code gift from Rachelle

A parent hiked Eagle's Peak on campus one morning and found a rainbow over the campus!
Thank you, God, for watching over our children and the nation's future soldiers!

Another parent posted this photo as she was traveling for work across the country. She was flown over the Academy - literally - right over Jack's Valley - the day they marched there - which was so special for her to "be there" if she couldn't be there.