Hooah!! Welcome back for your Week Four update Your Trainee is moving full speed ahead in Phase II of Bradley Crewmember One Station Unit Training.. Week Four marks the start of the first week of Phase II, Red Phase. After this week your Soldier will progress to the next phase, the White Phase. This is the beginning of an extremely stressful time for your Trainee. Most new Trainees have never handled a weapon before.
Week 4 Expectations: Red Phase
The mission this week is crystal clear: shoot, move, communicate, survive, and perform under pressure. Physical fitness, discipline, and tactical skills are being dialed up, and the expectation to meet the Army standard is non-negotiable. Weapon qualification is a top priority—your Trainee must hit their mark to move forward into Blue Phase. And here’s the best part—they’re not doing it alone. Drill Sergeants are beginning to shift the mindset from individual success to team excellence—and your Trainee is rising to the challenge. Let’s go, White Phase!
First up this week is the Engagement Skills trainer and then they will move out to the Zeroing Range. These next 3 weeks will be one of the most critical times at Fort Benning for your Trainee. This is the start of a very stressful time for them.
Engagement Skills Trainer
The EST 2000, or Engagement Skills Trainer 2000, is a virtual marksmanship training system used in Army Basic Training to help Trainees build and refine their shooting skills before going to the live-fire range. It simulates realistic firing scenarios using replica M4 rifles and other weapon systems in a controlled, indoor environment. The EST 2000 allows trainees to practice fundamentals like breathing control, trigger squeeze, sight alignment, and target acquisition without the pressure or safety risks of a live range. It also provides immediate feedback on shot placement, weapon handling, and firing technique, helping trainees identify and correct mistakes early in their marksmanship development.
The EST 2000 is typically used before qualification ranges as a way to build confidence and consistency. It offers various training modes, including zeroing, known distance shooting, and engagement drills, all designed to prepare Soldiers for real-world firing conditions. Instructors can monitor each trainee’s performance in real-time, adjusting the training to focus on areas where improvement is needed. The EST 2000 is a key tool in building Soldier lethality, ensuring that by the time trainees reach the live-fire qualification range, they are well-prepared and confident in their shooting abilities.
Zeroing Range
After the EST 2000, they will move out to the Zeroing Range to fire their first live rounds. Zeroing a weapon is not a training exercise, nor is it a combat skills event. Zeroing is a maintenance procedure to place the gun in operation based on the Soldier’s skill, capabilities, tactical scenario, aiming device, and ammunition. It seeks to achieve the desired relationship between the line of sight and the round’s trajectory at a known distance. The zeroing process ensures that the soldier, weapon, aiming device, and ammunition perform as expected at a specific range to target with the least induced errors.
To achieve high accuracy and precision, Trainees must zero their aiming device to their weapon correctly. The Trainee must first accomplish a consistent grouping of a series of shots, at least three but ideally five.
The M4 Carbine is the standard-issue weapon of the U.S. Army. Training Circular (TC) 3-22.9 is the Army’s guide to providing Soldiers with critical information on how to properly and effectively engage and destroy threats in a direct-fire engagement.
Trainees will be taught everything there is to know about the rifle (remember, it’s not a gun). Learning to shoot a rifle requires much more than pulling the trigger. The TC relies on the DS to teach the Trainees about how the weapon functions, its capabilities, the capabilities of the optics and ammunition, and how to properly employ those capabilities to achieve mastery by applying the functional elements of the shot process. Lastly, marksmanship courses will teach Trainees to hold a weapon, breathe, and shoot from various positions.
Anytime the Trainees conduct marksmanship training, they will march to the firing range, usually in full battle rattle. The full battle rattle is approximately 50 pounds of gear, including an improved outer tactical vest, Kevlar helmet, pro-mask, ammunition, weapons, and rucksack with other essential military equipment. The term was previously associated with a call to arms on warships dating back to the early 1800s. Full battle rattle saves lives, and it is essential to have all the necessary equipment to complete the mission.
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 their team did on the Zeroing Range, or how thier introduction to Basic Rifle Marksmanship is going. I am sure they will have some great stories to share with you. Also, remember to wish them the best as they continue with Basic Rifle Marksmanship.
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 continue to face challenges at the range as BRM continues. 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)