The Army Training System - AskTOP

Obstacles for BalancingBeams, logs, and planks may beused. These may span water obstaclesand dry ditches, or they may be raisedoff the ground to simulate natural depressions.(See Figure 8-7.)Figure 8-7CONFIDENCE OBSTACLE COURSESConfidence obstacle courses mustbe built in accordance with Folio No.1, “Training Facilities,” Corps of EngineersDrawing Number 28-13-95.You can obtain this publication fromthe Directorate of Facilities Engineeringat most Army installations.Confidence courses can developconfidence and strength by using obstaclesthat train and test balance andmuscular strength. Soldiers do not negotiatethese obstacles at high speed oragainst time. The obstacles vary fromfairly easy to difficult, and some arehigh. For these, safety nets are provided.Soldiers progress through thecourse without individual equipment.Only one soldier at a time negotiates anobstacle unless it is designed for use bymore than one.Confidence courses should accommodatefour platoons, one at eachgroup of six obstacles. Each platoonbegins at a different starting point. Inthe example below, colors are used togroup the obstacles. Any similar methodmay be used to spread a group over thecourse. Soldiers are separated intogroups of 8 to 12 at each obstacle. Atthe starting signal, they proceed throughthe course.Soldiers may skip any obstacle theyare unwilling to try. Instructors shouldencourage fearful soldiers to try theeasier obstacles first. Gradually, astheir confidence improves, they can8-6