Fort Benning | Cavalry Scout | Week 7

Hooah!! Welcome back! Hopefully by now you have confirmed your reservations and you will be able to attend the upcoming Turning Green Ceremony. After this week, your Trainee will transition into the final phase of the Basic Training portion of OSUT, the Blue Phase.

Week 7 Expectations: White Phase

Get ready—this is going to be an absolutely exhausting and unforgettable week for your Trainee! They’ll kick things off by heading straight into their second major Field Training Exercise: The Anvil! For two full nights, your Trainee will leave the comfort of the barracks behind and head out into the field—and trust me, this is no ordinary camping trip! They’ll be operating in a tactical environment, facing real challenges like mission planning, simulated attacks, and non-stop teamwork under pressure. It’s gritty, it’s intense, and it’s a true test of everything they’ve learned so far.

After conquering The Anvil, the momentum keeps going strong! Your Trainee will dive into Land Navigation, applying their map-reading skills to find their way across unfamiliar terrain—building confidence and sharpening their warrior instincts. To cap off this powerhouse week, they’ll take on another diagnostic Army Fitness Test (AFT), putting their strength, endurance, and resilience to the test once again. It’s a week that demands everything they’ve got—and proves just how far they’ve come!

The Anvil Field Training Exercise (FTX)

The Anvil Field Training Exercise is here, and it’s one of the most action-packed, adrenaline-fueled events in Basic Training! Your Trainee will be fully immersed in realistic combat scenarios that build critical skills like squad tactics, life-saving medical training, and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) defense.

More time in the field means your Trainee is now mastering field hygiene and survival skills, with no running water or trips to the DFAC (Dining Facility). Instead, it’s all about MREs and field chow—meals that fuel the mission and keep them moving. They’ll learn to clean and care for themselves using minimal supplies, guided by the Army’s own Training Circular 4-02.3 on hygiene and sanitation. And let me tell you—after a couple of gritty, exhausting days in the field, nothing beats the smell of hot chow rolling in. That first bite of a warm meal? Pure magic. Even tearing into an MRE becomes an adventure, and discovering which treats are inside or watching the flameless heater go to work brings a bit of comfort to the chaos. It’s dirty, it’s tough, and it’s unforgettable. The Anvil is about building grit, resilience, and teamwork—and your Trainee is in the thick of it!

Land Navigation

Army Land Navigation is built on key principles that ensure Soldiers can accurately navigate terrain using a map, compass, and other tools. One fundamental principle is understanding topographic maps, which depict terrain features, elevation, and landmarks essential for movement. Soldiers use the military grid reference system (MGRS) to pinpoint precise locations, along with the declination diagram to adjust for differences between grid and magnetic north. Knowing how to interpret terrain features—such as hills, valleys, ridges, saddles, and depressions—helps Soldiers navigate by terrain association, reducing reliance on a compass alone.

Another critical aspect is mastering route planning and movement techniques. Soldiers measure distances using the map’s scale and pace count, ensuring they stay on course in both day and night conditions. A lensatic compass aids in setting and following azimuths, while navigation techniques like dead reckoning (following a set bearing) and terrain association (using landmarks to guide movement) enhance accuracy. Successful land navigation requires continuous map reorientation, frequent position checks, and an understanding of environmental factors that may impact navigation, such as visibility and weather conditions.

AFT Assessment

To close out the week, your trainee will take another Army Fitness Test assessment. This will be a very difficult task as they are mentally and physically exhausted from all the time out at the Anvil. By now, however, they will likely start to see some notable difference in their physique and stamina. They should be able to report a noticeable increase in their performance as compared to their first assessment. This improvement in performance is an important aspect of reinforcing the benefits of an active lifestyle and routine exercise. Your Trainee should be proud of their progress and focused on getting even better for the next test.

Letters From Home = Morale

Your words matter. Letters from home are fuel for the fight—they lift spirits, inspire grit, and remind your Trainee they are never alone. In your letter to your Trainee this week, ask them how the did at the Anvil, how they did on their most recent AFT assessment, or how Land Navigation went.

Sandboxx makes letter writing easy—with next-day delivery, return stationery, pre-addressed envelopes, photos, and even gift card options. But whether you use Sandboxx or send a handwritten card, your support means everything. Every letter is a lifeline.

The Making of Your Soldier

The journey is just beginning, and the road ahead will be tough—but your Trainee is rising to the challenge. Next week, they’ll is another major milestone as your Trainee will take on the Confidence Obstacle Course, and go back to the range for Buddy Team Live Fire. Stay tuned for more insights as we walk this journey together.

In the meantime, follow us on Instagram and Facebook for inspiration, contests, and encouragement for your Soldier-in-the-making. And if you ever need anything, reach out to me through the Sandboxx app or email us at happiness@sandboxx.us—just ask for Kris, and I’ll be there.

We’re honored to be part of your family’s journey. Let’s keep the fire burning.

Hooah!

SGM Kris Broadus, U.S. Army (Ret)