Get ready—your Trainee is charging toward the finish line of the Red Phase! This is their first week in the Red Phase of Basic Training, and they are starting to hit their stride. By now, your Trainee is deep into the rhythm of Army life: early mornings, intense training, and learning what it truly means to be part of something bigger than themselves. If you’ve had a Sunday call or received a letter, you might already notice the difference—their confidence is growing, their mindset is sharpening, and that Army pride is starting to shine through!
They are fired up to conquer the Red Phase and move forward in their journey. Red Phase is tough, but it builds the foundation for everything that comes next. The excitement is real, and the momentum is building. Your Trainee is transforming before your eyes—and this is just the beginning! Stay proud, stay strong—big things are on the horizon!
Week Three Expectations: Red Phase
Week Three is packed with adrenaline, growth, and excitement! Your Trainee is stepping out of their comfort zone—literally and figuratively—as they leave the Company area and begin taking on some of Basic Training’s most memorable challenges. From scaling new heights to testing their strength and grit, this week is all about pushing limits and building confidence.
They’ll kick things off with their first diagnostic Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), getting a firsthand feel for the physical standards of the Army. Next they will be learning the basics of first aid in a tactical environment. Then it’s time to unleash some warrior spirit with their introduction to combatives—learning the basics of close-quarters combat. But the real thrill comes when they tackle the legendary Obstacle Course and climb the towering heights of the Warrior Tower. This is the week where many Trainees realize just how capable they truly are—and they’ll come out stronger, braver, and more determined than ever!
Tactical Combat Casualty Care
At the completion of this week, your Trainee won’t quite be ready to perform surgery, but they will have a profound knowledge of basic first aid in a tactical environment. The Army Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training is a vital program designed to equip Trainees with the skills necessary to provide life-saving medical care in combat situations. This training focuses on three phases of care: Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, and Tactical Evacuation Care. Trainees learn how to apply tourniquets, manage airway obstructions, treat chest wounds, and control massive bleeding—all critical interventions that can significantly increase survival rates on the battlefield. TCCC training is built on real-world combat medical data and is continuously updated to reflect the latest advancements in battlefield medicine. By integrating medical care with tactical considerations, soldiers are trained to provide effective treatment while maintaining mission effectiveness and situational awareness.
The primary goal of TCCC training is to reduce preventable deaths on the battlefield by ensuring that all soldiers, not just medics, have basic trauma care skills. By learning to respond quickly and effectively to injuries, Trainees can stabilize casualties until they can receive more advanced medical treatment. TCCC also fosters confidence and resilience, allowing soldiers to remain composed under pressure while treating wounded comrades. This training is an essential component of modern warfare, where immediate and effective medical care can mean the difference between life and death. Through rigorous hands-on exercises and realistic combat scenarios, the Army ensures that its personnel are well-prepared to handle medical emergencies in high-stress environments.
Combatives
This week, your Trainee will tap into their most powerful weapon—their own body. After weeks of learning to master the tools and equipment of the Army, it’s now time to turn inward and unleash raw, controlled aggression through Army combatives. This training is all about dominance in close combat—where the fight is personal, intense, and physical.
They’ll be drilled in how to strike, grapple, and subdue an opponent using sheer technique, leverage, and determination. From powerful takedowns to defensive counters, your Trainee will learn how to stay in control under pressure and fight with precision and purpose. Combatives is where mental grit meets physical power—and it marks a turning point in their transformation into a true warrior.
The Confidence Obstacle Course
This course is a thrilling mix of physical grit, mental toughness, and team-based challenges that pushes every Soldier to their limit. Designed to simulate the demands of moving through a combat environment, Trainees will climb over walls, crawl under barbed wire, haul heavy equipment, and dash through smoke-filled terrain—all while being cheered on by their fellow Soldiers and Drill Sergeants. The energy is electric, the pace is intense, and the objective is clear: build the strength and confidence needed to thrive on the battlefield.
But it’s more than just obstacles—it’s about building warrior spirit and resilience. Every grunt, every drop of sweat, and every muddy crawl brings your Trainee one step closer to becoming a battle-ready Soldier. The Confidence Obstacle Course teaches them how to move fast, think on their feet, and never quit—no matter how tough the terrain. By the end of the course, they’ll be fired up, motivated, and ready to tackle anything that comes next. It’s one of the most unforgettable moments of Fort Leonard Wood Basic Training and a major confidence booster as they continue their transformation into America’s next generation of warfighters.
Confidence Tower
The Confidence Tower at Fort Leonard Wood 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 Confience 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. The Confidence 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.
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. A few kind words from you can make all the difference. If you’re not sure what to say, start with encouragement, share some updates from home, or ask about what they’re learning.
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 so important
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 will be all about overcoming fears and growing confidence as they’ll tackle the Gas Chamber and spend their first night away from the barracks as they tackle the Hammer. Stay tuned for more insights as we walk this journey together.
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)