Fort Jackson | Week 9

Hooah!! Welcome back for your Week Nine training update. This week, we start with a HUGE moment of pride—your loved one is no longer a Trainee… they are now officially a Soldier! That’s right—after completing their Rite of Passage ceremony, they’ve crossed the threshold and earned their place in the ranks of the U.S. Army! Let that sink in: all the early mornings, grueling challenges, and relentless training have paid off. Your Soldier has proven themselves, and now it’s time to celebrate just how far they’ve come!

Week Nine Expectations: Blue Phase

Week Nine is all about reflection, pride, and preparation. Your Soldier will spend time looking back on everything they’ve achieved, from Day One at Reception to conquering The Forge. They’ll also help clean and prepare the barracks for the next wave of future Soldiers coming in behind them—a final act of responsibility and pride in their training environment. And here’s the best part—you may notice your Soldier has more freedom to call home and spend extra time on the phone this week! Those privileges weren’t just given—they were earned through sweat, sacrifice, and unstoppable determination. Soak it all in, be proud, and get ready—because Graduation is almost here! Hooah!

Recovery

For most of this week, your Soldier will spend time servicing their weapons and equipment, which they will not be taking to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) with them. They will clean their helmet, canteen, weapons, and other equipment used during their BCT experience.

They will also focus on preparing the barracks for the next incoming class. This is a tedious process, and the Drill Sergeants will ensure that the barracks are pristine before departure. They will have a final inspection of their Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU), which they will wear for their BCT Graduation.

One of the most exciting parts of this week is practicing for their impending BCT Graduation Ceremony. This is what they have been working for since they arrived at BCT. The realization that they have finally achieved their goal is very exciting. They are getting increasingly excited every day to finally see their family and show you the transformation they have made.

Letter From Home = Morale

ONE MORE WEEK TO GO!! It is almost time to be reunited with your Soldier. I can’t imagine the excitement you are feeling. Next week, you will see your Soldier for the first time since they started their journey to becoming Soldiers. As graduation approaches, visit Fort Jackson Photography to choose from Army apparel, merch, and more to find the perfect gift for your future Soldier, just in time for a family weekend.

If you can’t make it to graduation, there is still time to send your future Soldier a final Letter congratulating them on this incredible accomplishment. You can include an Exchange gift card as a last-minute graduation gift.

The Making of Your Soldier

Stay tuned for more insights into Week Ten and beyond. I hope you are all set with your travel plans for Family Day and Graduation next week. There is no limit on the amount of guests that can attend next week’s events. Get ready, it’s going to be a memorable week!

That’s a brief look at the intense but rewarding journey your Trainee is on. Let’s keep supporting them every step of the way!

You can always find me via chat in the Sandboxx app or happiness@sandboxx.us. Ask for Kris and another teammate, or I will reply as soon as possible.