The completed obstacle course saw its first heavy usage during summer camp\u00a02000 and was an immediate hit with all participants. The course is used many times by the Corps of Cadets during the school year and it an integral part of each semester’s plebe training program.<\/p>\n![\"obstacle](\"http:\/\/www.mma-tx.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/obstacle.jpg\" "\\"obstacle\\"")
<\/a>The military obstacle course<\/b> at the Marine Military Academy <\/a>was originally\u00a0built in 1999 and was patterned from the obstacle course<\/i> at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island.\u00a0 The course is one of the major courses located on the Leadership Enhancement and Development Complex<\/a>.\u00a0 Initially the ground was cleared of all trees, bushes and leveled for the course.\u00a0 Next step was to cut all poles to the appropriate lengths and auger the holes for them.\u00a0 Construction moved quickly and was completed prior to summer camp that year.\u00a0 Final step in the construction was the addition of uncompressed wood chips below some obstacle to prevent injury from a fall.\u00a0 The course was set up with\u00a0two lanes for running and the left lane was built with smaller participants in mind so that each obstacle had a step built on it or the ground was built up so the obstacle was <\/a>not too high for our younger summer campers.\u00a0 Following completion of the course, an outdoor classroom was constructed immediately next to the course to provide shade for participant and a classroom for teaching and demonstration of the course.\u00a0 A road was completed alongside the obstacle course<\/u> which provides a running course of just over 1\/2 mile.\u00a0 A potable water system was later added which was much appreciated by those on the course during summer months.<\/p>\nObstacle Course Events<\/h2>\n
<\/a>The obstacle course is composed of seven major obstacles separated by six low hurdles.\u00a0 The course begins by vaulting over a low hurdle and then taking on the single high bar.\u00a0 On this event two different techniques are demonstrated, college boy roll\u00a0or a\u00a0kip. Participants may use either of these techniques.\u00a0 The next obstacle is a second low hurdle and then the combination event.\u00a0\u00a0This obstacle is again followed by a low hurdle and then the wall.\u00a0 The wall is followed by a low and a high hurdle, another low hurdle and a series of four medium hurdles.\u00a0 After the medium hurdles comes the double bars, another low hurdle and then the ropes climb.\u00a0 The entire coures is about 50 yards in length from start to finish.<\/p>\nRunning the Obstacle Course<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Participant running the obstacle course quickly learn that technique is much more important than brute strength.\u00a0 The course tests the upper body strength of the participants and those that learn the right techniques can negotiate the obstacles easier without tiring themselves out.\u00a0 Check out the Obstacle Course Video<\/a> from Summer Camp 2012 to see how some of the obstacles are run.\u00a0 Keep in mind that these are young men between the ages of 12 and 17 and they are running the same course that our military runs!<\/p>\nLearn More About Marine Military Academy and the MMA Obstacle Course<\/h3>\n