Hooah!! Welcome back for your Week Nine update. This is it—the moment your Trainee has been building toward since the day they arrived at Fort Benning! This week, they face the ultimate test in Army Basic Combat Training: The Forge! The Forge is a legendary 96-hour Field Training Exercise (FTX) that challenges everything they have learned—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s where all the skills, discipline, and toughness they’ve developed are put into action under the most demanding conditions yet. This grueling event is a true rite of passage, and by the end of it, your Trainee will not just feel like a Soldier—they will be one.
Just a reminder, if you are attending next week’s graduation you will need a visitor’s pass to get on Fort Benning. If you haven’t registered for your pass to visit Fort Benning, please do so now. All visitors are required to obtain a visitor pass to access the post.
Week Nine Expectations: Blue Phase
Week Nine is packed full of intensity as Trainees head into the field for four straight days of tactical missions, road marches, simulated combat, and survival challenges. Prior to taking on the Forge, your Trainee will have to conquer the Rappell Tower. Don’t worry if you don’t hear from your Trainee much this week—they’ll be fully immersed in their final test. The Forge is designed to push them beyond their limits and forge the resilience, grit, and teamwork needed to succeed in the Army. When they return, exhausted but victorious, there’s nothing more powerful than reading letters of encouragement from home. Your support will mean the world as they recover, reflect, and prepare for the proud moment that’s just around the corner—graduation! Hooah!
The Confidence Rappell Tower
Eagle Tower at Fort Benning is one of the most iconic and adrenaline-pumping experiences in Army Basic Training—a true rite of passage! Towering over the training grounds, this massive structure is where fear meets courage, and confidence is built one step at a time. As Trainees approach the base of the tower, hearts are racing and palms are sweaty, but the energy is electric. They’ll face obstacles like rope climbs, cargo nets, and the legendary rappel wall, where they must descend a vertical drop with nothing but a rope, their gear, and their grit. For many, it’s the first time they’ve ever done anything like it—and they come away transformed.
The best part about the Eagle Tower isn’t just the physical challenge—it’s the moment Trainees realize they can do hard things. With Drill Sergeants coaching and battle buddies cheering them on, they overcome fear, doubt, and hesitation to conquer every obstacle. When they touch the ground after that rappel or swing across the rope bridge, they’re not just physically stronger—they’re mentally tougher and filled with pride. Treadwell Tower isn’t just an obstacle; it’s a symbol of growth, courage, and the first of many victories to come in their Army journey.
The Forge
The Forge is the ultimate test—an unforgiving, 96-hour crucible that pushes every trainee to their physical, mental, and emotional limits. This isn’t just another training event—it’s the final proving ground where warriors are forged. Trainees live in a tactical patrol base, grinding through nonstop missions that simulate the harsh realities of combat. Your Trainee will enter the Forge as a Trainee, but they will leave as a Soldier!
They’ll trek nearly 30 miles under load, conduct security patrols, face ambushes, and respond to rapid tactical shifts, all with minimal rest. Every lesson learned in the past eight weeks—from first aid to squad movements—is put on the line. Drill Sergeants create intense, real-world pressure with intelligence reports, simulated enemy contact, and chaotic battlefield scenarios.
But the Forge isn’t just about muscle—it’s about grit. Your trainee will complete 44 warrior tasks while wearing full gear, running on fumes, and leading or following in mission-critical roles. They’ll train on IED defeat techniques, practice FOB and checkpoint operations, and execute every movement tactically.
One of the final events of The Forge is he Night Infiltration Course is where adrenaline, courage, and skill collide under the cover of darkness! Imagine moving silently through the shadows, navigating obstacles, and testing every ounce of your focus and training while the night surrounds you. This isn’t just a physical challenge—it’s a mental battlefield, pushing you to trust your senses, rely on your teammates, and embrace the intensity of the unknown. Every crawl, dash, and leap is a victory, and by the time you cross that finish line, you’ll feel unstoppable—hardened by the night, proud of your grit, and more ready than ever to face whatever comes next. This is where Future Soldiers prove to themselves that they are capable of far more than they ever imagined!
As the final challenge, they will depart The Forge on a brutal 10-mile road march returning to garrision at sunrise as Sodliers. There, they’ll pass through the symbolic Soldier’s Ceremony, signifying that they’ve earned the prestigouse title of American Soldier. They arrived as civilians. They return as warriors—tested, trained, and ready to take their place in the Army. It’s a day filled with pride, emotion, and honor, where the values of duty, loyalty, and commitment are not just words but a living reality, and every Soldier stands tall knowing they have earned the title they’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Letters From Home = Morale
Your support as family and friends is invaluable. Letters of encouragement can significantly boost their morale, helping them persevere to graduation. In your letter this week, ask them about the Rappell Tower and their experience at the Forge. Also, make sure you congratulate them on earning the prestigious title of U.S. Army Soldier!
Although Sandboxx letters arrive the next day with return stationery, a pre-addressed envelope, the return postage paid, photos, and a gift card feature, don’t feel like you have to use Sandboxx to send letters. We encourage handwritten letters and cards – these are super important.
The Making of Your Soldier
Stay tuned for more insights into Week 10 and beyond. Next week is the week we have all been waiting for, it’s Family Day and Graduation! I know you have been counting down the days to be reunited with yoru Soldier! In the meantime, follow us on Instagram and Facebook for contests, letter inspiration, and more!
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 — just ask for Kris, and myself or another teammate will get back to you as soon as we can.
Hooah!
SGM Kris Broadus, U.S. Army (Ret)