Hooah!! Welcome back for your Week Four update. This will be the final week of Phase II, Red Phase of Army Basic Combat Training, after this week they will progress into Phase III, the White Phase. Week Four marks the start of the first stretch of several stressful events on the horizon. As you may have noticed, they have been taken out of their comfort zone and are experiencing new things. This week will bring on something completely out of the ordinary, their first Field Exercise and the Gas Chamber!
Week Four Expectations: Red Phase
This is a huge week for your Trainee, packed with adrenaline, grit, and growth! They’re about to face some of the most exciting and challenging moments yet. First up: the Confidence Chamber, one of the most memorable events of their time at Fort Sill. Then, it’s time to lace up their boots for a 5-mile road march, testing their endurance and mental toughness every step of the way.
But the real milestone? It’s their first night in the field—no barracks, no comfort zone, just their gear, their team, and the mission. They’ll be taking on the Hammer, the first of three intense Field Training Exercises (FTXs), where they’ll apply everything they’ve learned in a hands-on, tactical environment. It’s demanding. It’s gritty. And it’s the moment they start to feel like real Soldiers. The transformation is accelerating—and your Trainee is rising to the challenge!
Confidence Chamber
Get ready—this week kicks off with one of the most intense and unforgettable events of Basic Training: the Confidence Chamber, better known as the gas chamber. This is where your Trainee faces their first real test under pressure during CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) training. It’s not just about following directions—it’s about trust. Trust in their gear, their training, and their ability to stay calm under chaos. They’ll suit up in their M50 protective mask and learn to decontaminate themselves and their gear—an essential skill for survival in a chemical environment.
Then comes the ultimate test. Your Trainee will step into a room filled with tear gas—a safe but extremely uncomfortable environment. While wearing their gas mask, they’ll feel secure, protected. But that moment won’t last long. They’ll be ordered to remove the mask, feel the burn, and experience the shock of gas exposure firsthand. Eyes watering, lungs burning, disoriented—but they’ll power through. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s designed to teach them something critical: how to push through fear and discomfort to stay mission-focused. This is where warriors are forged.
Five Mile Road March
By now your Trainee has surely got their new boots broken in. If they haven’t, they surely will be after their first 5 Mile Road March. The ruck march will challenge your Trainee both mentally and physically. Trainees are required to carry 35 lbs in their rucksack and carry their assigned weapons system. They will have to do a 5, 7, and 10-mile ruck during the remainder of their time with us.
THE HAMMER
By the end of Week 4, your Trainee will tackle the Hammer Field Training Exercise (FTX). This is the very first major field challenge your Trainee faces—and it’s where the transformation truly begins. Taking place early in Basic Combat Training, the Hammer marks the first time they leave the comfort of the barracks and head into the field to operate like real Soldiers. Over 2 days and 1 night, your Trainee will live, move, and train in a tactical environment. They’ll practice squad movements, react-to-contact drills, and experience the raw realities of field life—eating MREs, digging fighting positions, pulling security shifts, and sleeping under the stars. It’s gritty, it’s intense, and it’s designed to build confidence and teamwork from the ground up.
This isn’t just about learning tactics—it’s about forging resilience. Trainees are pushed outside their comfort zones, working as a team to complete mission-based scenarios while under constant pressure. They’ll carry heavy gear, stay alert through late-night watch rotations, and learn to rely on one another through every challenge. By the end of the Hammer FTX, they’ve not only learned how to operate in the field—they’ve taken their first true steps into the world of the U.S. Army. It’s a milestone every Soldier remembers, and it lights the fire for everything that comes next.
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. Also, be sure to ask them if they have made any new friends while they have been in Basic Training. I can’t wait for them to tell you about all the fun they had with the Gas Chamber and the Hammer.
Remember, Sandboxx letters arrive the next day with return stationery, a pre-addressed envelope, the return postage paid, photos, and an option to add a gift card. But if you don’t have the time to write as often as you’d like, consider selecting the Daily Drive as a letter add-on, this way your recruit will receive daily mail to encourage them throughout their journey.
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 kick off a very busy few weeks and they jumped in full speed ahead into Basic Rifle Marksmanship.
That’s a brief look at the intense but rewarding journey your Trainee is on this week. 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)