Training for USAFA BCT

nw2003

nw2003

USAFA 26'
Joined
Jan 11, 2022
Messages
58
I plan to attend USAFA in the class of 2026 and I was wondering what I should do to prepare for BCT. I am currently doing push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups nightly and will start conditioning for Track soon.
 
All good stuff to keep current on. The big kicker is altitude and your current geography will dictate how prepared you are for that. Understand that you will be put into a group of roughly 25 classmates. That small unit will PT together and you are only as strong as the weakest link. Your prep today will ensure you are not "that guy." However, be prepared to be frustrated that others may not have prepped like you did. The limitations of the group will generally dictate how far upper class cadre will go in PT sessions.

Being prepared will make that part of the experience a little better for you.
 
Check out the PFT and AFT requirements and work on the skills to be part of the 1000 club. And then learn the basics of different airplanes and military knowledge. That will help score you points with your squad during K tests.
 
shiner said:
All good stuff to keep current on. The big kicker is altitude and your current geography will dictate how prepared you are for that. Understand that you will be put into a group of roughly 25 classmates. That small unit will PT together and you are only as strong as the weakest link. Your prep today will ensure you are not "that guy." However, be prepared to be frustrated that others may not have prepped like you did. The limitations of the group will generally dictate how far upper class cadre will go in PT sessions.

Being prepared will make that part of the experience a little better for you.
Click to expand...
Can one person lagging fail a group from BCT?
 
nw2003 said:
Can one person lagging fail a group from BCT?
Click to expand...
No. The individual person can fail BCT but even then that is really hard to do. There have been people who consistently underperformed but someone still managed to pass basic. You will be fine. Just do as you’re told. Follow your seven basis responses and overall be a decent human being / team player. Also enjoy the final moments with your family. Once you leave for BCT, your life simply will never be the same.
 
Also big thing for Class of 2026. Your basic training is going to be planned in its ENTIRETY by General Moga (current commandant of cadets). He is a 95’ grad who believes heavily in traditions and pushing past physical and mental limitations. The basic for 24ers and 25ers was planned out of the shell of the previous commandant (Gen Edmondson) who was a ROTC grad and didn’t understand the value of traditions and challenges. She was known amongst the cadet wing as being “too soft” and more of a mother like figure. Moga is swinging the pendulum back and it’s swinging hard. No clue what is in store for your basic but get ready to be tested and challenged. Best of luck!
 
My DS found a local obstacle course / ninja gym. Taught great body control, confidence, conditioning, etc. The physical part of BCT was "easy" for him. It is more than just strength and conditioning. It is nearly ALL attitude and emotional control.
 
T-37IP said:
My DS found a local obstacle course / ninja gym. Taught great body control, confidence, conditioning, etc. The physical part of BCT was "easy" for him. It is more than just strength and conditioning. It is nearly ALL attitude and emotional control.
Click to expand...
Thank you for this tip -we are going to look for something similar where we live. Lots of helpful nuggets on the forums....this may be helpful nugget #1!!!!
 
Just echoing what others have already said, 95% of those who don't finish basic fail because their problem is motivation/attitude. BCT is designed to weed out those who came to the Academy for the wrong reasons and strengthen those who came for the right reasons. Being in good physical shape may make your basic experience a bit easier, but more importantly, will enable you to score higher during physical assessments during the academic year which are factored into your order of merit.
 
MCA_10 said:
Also big thing for Class of 2026. Your basic training is going to be planned in its ENTIRETY by General Moga (current commandant of cadets). He is a 95’ grad who believes heavily in traditions and pushing past physical and mental limitations. The basic for 24ers and 25ers was planned out of the shell of the previous commandant (Gen Edmondson) who was a ROTC grad and didn’t understand the value of traditions and challenges. She was known amongst the cadet wing as being “too soft” and more of a mother like figure. Moga is swinging the pendulum back and it’s swinging hard. No clue what is in store for your basic but get ready to be tested and challenged. Best of luck!
Click to expand...
Yep and also be ready to see General Moga complete the BCT Jack's Valley courses alongside the cadets as he did last year. Pretty awesome to see and an excellent example of leadership from the new Commandant.
 
Push-ups, sit-ups, flutter kicks, and up-downs are all good to practice. For cardio, do a mix of shorter sprints (100m and 1/4mi) and longer runs (3-5mi). A good goal would be 4mi at an 8min/mi pace (won't max anything with that, but it will get you in the "good" range).

Don't worry about holding things certain ways or knowing AF facts before BCT (unless that stuff is inherently interesting to you)...just don't ever be the officer who approves the graphic with Sukhois overflying Arlington National Cemetery (aka, once you are in, don't be clueless about our people, missions, and equipment.)
 
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