Welcome back for your week 11 update.  I  hope you were able to attend last week’s Turning Green Ceremony.  I know you were extremely proud of who they have become and the tremendous progress they have made in their journey to become a Soldier.   If you didn’t get the opportunity to attend, don’t worry graduation will be here before you know it and you will see your Soldier again.  

Your Soldier is now starting their fifth phase as they tackle their  first week in Black Phase. Your Soldier has begun the formal portion of becoming a Tanker. Over the next three weeks there will be a significant focus on learning the basics about the M1 Tank and most of the time will be spent in the Motor Pool.

Week 11 Expectations: Black Phase

This week your Soldier will be spending most of their time down at the Motor Pool, getting hands-on with the mighty M1 Series Battle Tank! They’ll dive deep into learning the ins and outs of the tank’s systems, parts, and crew operations, building the knowledge and confidence they’ll need when it’s time to hit the driver’s seat for real.

Alongside their time in the Motor Pool, your Soldier will be logging plenty of hours in the simulator, sharpening their skills and preparing for the big moment when they finally get to operate the actual tank. Every hour spent training now brings them one step closer to mastering one of the Army’s most powerful machines—and you can bet they’re fired up and ready to roll!

Intro to the M1 Series Main Battle Tank

This week marks a massive step forward as your Soldier officially transitions into Black Phase—where they shift from basic soldiering into the high-speed, high-powered world of armored warfare! As they begin training for their new role as a 19K Armor Crewmember, the excitement kicks off with an up-close introduction to the legendary M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank! Your Soldier will dive into learning the tank’s components, crew roles, and powerful capabilities. They’ll discover what it takes to be a driver, loader, gunner, and tank commander, and start hands-on training with turret operations, basic maintenance, and crew communication systems. This is where the foundation is built for future tank crews—and your Soldier is right at the heart of it!

In addition to the classroom knowledge, your Soldier is hitting the ground running with practical exercises—mounting and dismounting the tank safely, mastering key safety protocols, and getting their first taste of simulator training for both gunnery and maneuvering. Physical readiness is still critical, but now it’s paired with the intense mental focus needed to retain technical knowledge and execute tasks under pressure. The first week of Black Phase sets the tone for everything that follows, emphasizing discipline, precision, and team work as they charge toward becoming fully qualified tank crewmen. The stakes are higher, the challenges are bigger—and your Soldier is ready to dominate! 

 M1 Abrams Tank Driver Simulator

Get ready for some serious excitement—your Soldier is about to get hands-on with one of the Army’s most cutting-edge training tools: the M1 Abrams Tank Driver Simulator! This state-of-the-art system perfectly replicates the inside of a real M1 Abrams, from the controls and vision blocks to the driver’s monitors, giving trainees a full-immersion experience without even touching a real tank (yet!). Here, they’ll master everything from vehicle startup, gear shifting, and steering, to braking and maneuvering through tight trails, urban environments, steep hills, and rugged terrain. It’s the ultimate way to build the muscle memory, situational awareness, and confidence they’ll need to operate a tank effectively under real combat conditions!

And the excitement doesn’t stop there! With instructors monitoring every move in real-time, trainees get instant feedback, fine-tuning their skills with every drive. They can repeat missions, tackle new challenges, and sharpen their instincts—all while saving wear and tear on the real tanks. The simulator doesn’t just prepare them—it propels them toward becoming fully capable M1 Abrams drivers, ready for the intense demands of the battlefield. By the time they climb into a live tank, they’ll already feel like pros behind the controls. This is where future tankers are built—one simulation, one victory at a time!

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 this week, ask them how the time in the simulator was and what they are most excited about in the upcoming weeks.

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 Soldier has risen to the challenge. Next week, they’ll venture out and tackle another significant Foot March and start to learn the basics about proper maintenance for the M1 Abrams Tank.

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)