The 185^thJAOBC has completed its first week in Charlottesville.

Last Saturday was zero-day for those class members competing for an opportunity to attend either Airborne or Air Assault training.  When it was over, there were roughly 11 Airborne competitors and 7 Air Assault competitors.   Obviously more class members showed up to compete, but a few were excused almost immediately for various issues.  When the workout was over, others had either fallen out or been tapped out by the cadre.  Regardless of a class members’ success at zero-day, all should be commended for competing.

The first day and one-half was spent with introductory remarks and briefings.  Monday evening class members met their advisors, while they had met their mentors during the day.  Each class member is assigned a faculty member as an advisor to help guide them through their JAOBC training.  Likewise, each class member is assigned as a part of a small group to a team of mentors who are there to ask be a source of information in a more informal setting.

The last three and one-half days were typical academic days.  Class begins at 0810 and usually ends at 1520.   The day includes six (6) hours of lecture with a break for lunch.  Depending on the day, that could be six (6) individual classes or maybe only three (3).  Class is led by a faculty member and predominantly done through Powerpoint presentation.  No instructor “hides the ball” – that is to say that the information and lesson is not a mystery.  The goal is to learn and to graduate, not to issue spot and compete according to some pre-determined grade distribution.

Each day begins with PT at 0550.  Let me just say that we are pushed every day.  There hasn’t been a day yet when I am not tired and drenched in perspiration when the workout is over.  The Army is a PT culture.  You don’t have to be a PT stud, but you do have to achieve certain standards.  I am not ashamed to say that I don’t love PT.  All I can do is go out every day and give 100% - and because of that I know I am improving in my physical fitness.

Friday was a road march instead of typical PT.  We are working our way as a class up to six (6) miles.  The class gets all geared up in ACU and Individual Body Armor (IBA) with plates, the Army Combat Helmet (ACH), assault pack with 20% of the member’s body weight and a full hydration system.  We started at two (2) miles and every other week we add a mile.  Graduation from Direct office Commissioning Course (DCC) requires completion of an eight (8) mile road march. 

The class usually has the evening off, with some homework to do some days.  Next week we have two assignments due and an examination.  As soon as the examination is over, we move to the next subject and jump right in.  Ten and one-half weeks isn’t a long time, so we can’t stay on one topic too long.  Just like in law school a graduate of JAOBC isn’t an expert in Military Law upon completion of their studies.  Rather, the graduate is exposed to the larger issues, given a baseline of knowledge, and turned over to more experienced Judge Advocates to become proficient.

The weekends here are spent with class members and family.  Charlottesville (Cville locally) is an incredible city with plenty to see and do.  Whether a class member likes history, outdoor recreation or simply relaxing, there are tons of that and more.