Fort Benning

Even with long lines and a time limit on the phone, the Verizon Wireless tent was hopping Saturday at the post Independence Day Celebration. The opportunity to make a free phone call to anywhere in the U.S. kept some basic training Soldiers coming back for seconds — even thirds.

I’m not sure how many Soldiers called home during the event, but here are some rough numbers: 10-minute calls, 70 seats, steady traffic from about 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. My calculator tells me that’s 2,940 phone calls. Wow.

It’s amazing to think how each one was unique, how each conversation was special to the people on both ends of the line.

When I asked trainees who they talked with and what they chatted about, the responses ranged from the everyday hi-how-are-you’s to more serious discussions. Here’s a peak at what they shared.

“I talked to my sister about coming down to my graduation. My dad, I talked about cars. My stepmom said she was eating a steak, so I said when you get here, we’ll have to go to Outback Steakhouse and get a free Bloomin’ Onion. You show them your military ID and they give you a free Bloomin’ Onion. Pretty good deal.”
— PV2 Matthew Palmer, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment

“I talked to my mom. She’s going to send me a care package with some stamps and some personal hygiene items. Then I talked to my little brother. He missed me. When he grows up, he wants to be in the Army — he’s 10 right now. It’s a real blessing to be able to talk with people you love and you haven’t seen in a long time.  It’s really uplifting.”
— PVT Timothy Darracq, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment

“This was actually the first time I was able to talk with my mother.  She usually works on Sundays when I call home.  It’s her birthday tomorrow, so I just wished her happy birthday. It meant a lot to her … choked me up a little bit. It’s just nice to be able to hear a home voice.”
— PVT Jordan Caine, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment

“I called my wife. She told me how our little girls are growing. I haven’t talked to her in seven weeks. They’re going to the park to enjoy the fireworks there — McKenzie, Tennessee. It was great. It was hard to talk I was smiling so much.”
— SPC Jacob Coleman, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment

Happy Fourth of July, Fort Benning!

cherylrodewig 192nd, 198th Infantry Brigade, Basic Training, DFMWR, Holiday, The Bayonet/FBTV Independence Day

A few weeks ago we discussed what happens during the first three weeks of basic training, or red phase. Now it’s time to go over what takes place during weeks four through six, or white phase. The major difference between the two is leniency. The first three weeks drill sergeants supervise the 24-hours a day. During white phase, the drill sergeants go home at night and rather than giving the Soldiers explicit instructions for each task, they encourage them to make their own decisions.

You’ll notice this is a common theme for basic training. As the Soldiers progress, they are given more and more freedoms and opportunities to lead, which is part of outcomes based training. The Army has trained Soldiers this way for the last decade. Basically we’re teaching Soldiers how to think rather than what to think.

The majority of white phase is focused on the Soldiers’ mastery of the assault rifle with 13 periods of basic rifle marksmanship instruction and six periods of advanced rifle marksmanship instruction. They also become familiar with the M-203 Grenade Launcher, the M-2 Machine Gun and hand grenades, as well as learn fighting techniques both on the ground and with Pugil sticks. They practice land navigation, take their second Army Physical Fitness Test and complete both four- and six-mile road marches. So they’re spending a lot of time outside, which isn’t too bad this time of year in southwest Georgia, but it can get pretty toasty outside during the summer months.

michelle.gordon 192nd, 198th Infantry Brigade, Basic Training 192nd, 198th, Basic Training

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding basic training is, “When will I hear from my Soldier?” Unfortunately there isn’t a hard, fast rule because it varies on how long it takes your Soldier to in-process at the reception battalion. So to provide a little clarity, here is a general timeline.

The time period between when a Soldier leaves home and his assignment to a basic training unit can take anywhere from seven to 10 days. During this time he is traveling (which will take one to two days) and he is in-processing at the reception battalion (which will take anywhere from three to four days). However, even though in-processing takes no longer than four days, keep in mind Soldiers only in-process Monday through Friday, so if a Soldier arrives late in the week, his in-processing time will continue into the following week.

They are allowed to make a phone call while are at the reception battalion to let family know they arrived safely, but according to the reception battalion staff, 99 percent of Soldiers call a girlfriend, wife or fiancé (so mom and dad may not hear from him for a couple more weeks). After Soldiers leave the reception battalion they are assigned to a unit, where they are usually allowed to call home, but this phone call depends upon time and the drill sergeants.

When he arrives at his unit, the Soldier enters red phase, which is the first three weeks of basic training. Red phase is the most stressful time for new Soldiers and they are under strict control of the drill sergeants. The best way to support them during this time is to write letters and keep all communications upbeat because this is the time period when a lot of Soldiers get homesick and start wondering if joining the Army was the right decision. Hearing encouraging words from back home can make all the difference in the world.

During red phase the Soldiers are only allowed to call home on Sundays after training. However, if you haven’t heard from your Soldier it could be a multitude of reasons, such as the lines at the payphones were too long, the drill sergeant may have revoked the unit phone privileges because of misbehavior or simply your Soldier was tired and went to bed rather than called home.

Some of the tasks learning during red phase include:

Obstacle Course: The obstacle course is a series of events like rope climbing, monkey bars and a belly crawl. The course is usually done for time and in a team format to encourage team building. It also encourages them to push one another to achieve a common goal.

Confidence Course: The confidence course is a team-building course with numerous events. Soldiers are divided into six-to eight-man teams and given a common goal that can only be achieved through team work. It helps build confidence and raises the morale of the Soldier and unit.

2-mile Foot March: Soldiers complete a 2-mile foot march with a pre-determined weight to carry. The weight varies from 20 lbs – 50 lbs.

Eagle Tower: Eagle tower is a combination of the obstacle course and confidence course and it also introduces Soldiers to rappelling. Soldiers rappel from a 40-foot wall and learn different styles of rappelling.

Team Development Course: The team development course is a series of challenging obstacles that must be completed through teamwork, situational thinking and adapting to the challenge with limited resources to complete the mission.

Improvised Explosive Devices and Unexploded Ordinance: IED and UXO are two of the main threats to Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers are taught to identify them and take precautions to limit or eliminate injuries or casualties to friendly forces.

Nuclear Biological Chemical Tasks: NBC includes self-decontamination and equipment decontamination. Soldiers are also required to go through the gas chamber both with and without their gas masks to experience what CS gas (tear gas) feels like. This helps them gain confidence in the equipment.

First Aid Training: Soldiers learn first-aid tasks to ensure, if needed, they can apply and perform the necessary measures to restore breathing, stop bleeding, apply a tourniquet and insert an IV.

Hand to Hand Combat: Soldiers are taught modern Army combatives, which is a fighting style similar to mixed martial arts or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Soldiers are taught this fighting style so they can better defend themselves if the fight gets close.

Land Navigation: Soldiers are taught the basics for navigating on foot from one point to another with a compass, protractor and map.

Communications: Soldiers are instructed on how to communicate over the radio using proper radio terminology and format.

michelle.gordon 192nd, 198th Infantry Brigade, Basic Training 192nd, 198th, Basic Training

When Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George Casey visited Fort Benning today he said, as an Infantryman coming back to Fort Benning is like coming home. One of the reasons he was here was to observe basic training so he stopped by Sand Hill to visit some of our newest Soldiers at an urban operations training site. He talked with Soldiers in C Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade and he told them about SFC Jared Monti, a Medal of Honor recipient, and reminded the young Soldiers that like Monti, they too must live the warrior ethos.

When asked about visiting with the basic trainees, Casey said “you can’t look ‘em in the eyes without feeling proud, and when I asked each them why they joined the Army, they all responded ‘because I want to serve my country.’ We’re lucky to live in a country where generation after generation believes so much in the ideals of this country that they’re willing to die for it.”

During his trip Casey also toured the construction site for the Armor School, as well as the National Infantry Museum. He said he was moved by the museum, particularly the last 100 yards ramp, saying it’s great that what the Infantry has done for our country has finally been captured and displayed for the world to see.

Before he departed Fort Benning to head back to the Pentagon, Casey re-enlisted five Fort Benning Soldiers, who collectively have earned more than 50 awards and decorations – including two Purple Hearts and two Combat Infantry Badges. Between them the Soldiers have more than 41 years of military service and 10 combat deployments. By taking the time to meet the Soldiers and their families after the re-enlistment ceremony, the Chief of Staff showed his appreciation for their service and their sacrifice.

To view a photo slideshow of Gen. Casey’s visit, click here: Flickr slideshow and to read the full story, pick up a copy of Friday’s The Bayonet

michelle.gordon 198th Infantry Brigade 198th, Chief of Staff