|
|
|
The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
|
"Hooah" from Fort Benning: We've Made It To Black Phase!
By Brandy Lewis
As a mom, I've stayed positive and encouraging to my soldier but there
are times when I think, what if he fails? When Cade failed his PT
test, I thought what if he doesn't pass? Then he wrote me with
such determination that those feelings of doubt went away. So
there is some relief for me knowing he has made it to Black
Phase. This phase is also known as Advanced Infantry Training
(AIT) and it's where a soldier becomes an Infantryman.
His training is mostly out in the field right now and they don't always
get to come back to the barracks to sleep. Due to this, I have
gotten less letters from Cade but he is doing well and maintaining his
sense of humor. He tells us about a battle buddy whose mom sent
him liquid soap in the mail. The Drill Sergent took the soap and
started shooting everyone with it! I wonder if she did that on
purpose? What a great joke to play on your kid... lol!
Cade enjoyed family weekend and is counting down days until airborne
school. He wants me to send him copies of all the pictures I took
during family weekend. He said, "I started crying huge drops when
I saw you leave. I was the biggest baby of the entire company and I
love you all." I'm glad I raised a man who can cry and own up to
it.
Black Phase started out with him passing his PT test the day after we
left. It was such a relief knowing after all the eating out we
did and the fact he never worked out, that he was able to do
this. He has one more PT test to pass before the end of
AIT.
His platoon learned to clear a house in team formation (four men) and
will learn about squad formation (eight men) next. Cade said they
got the hardest smoking ever that day. The D.S. likes to throw
them back into army life after being with mom and dad for three days.
He was placed as a team leader and we were pleased to hear this.
Cade says, "The thrill of clearing houses was pretty fun. We kick
in doors and go running and shooting blanks at targets. The rush
is pretty amazing."
They rode in a Striker which is a, "big eight wheel green armored
taxi. They would load their squad of eight people in it and ride
to a house, clear it and then ride to the next
house."
The D.S. found out Cade had proposed to Lauren and made fun of
him. At least he didn't get smoked! He said, "Oh God Cade!"
"Why Cade Why!", and our favorite was, "You should have gone the extra
mile and just got married." This D.S. sounds like a pretty funny
guy.
A One Star General came to speak with them. Since Cade's goals
are to retire in the Army he thought that was pretty cool.
With the platoon out in the woods for three to four days, we hear
another bathroom story. Cade was taking a bathroom break when he
heard something. He looked around and saw a five point buck
starring right at him about 10 feet away. He tried to make noise
to scare the deer off but it just went back to eating. It was
then Cade realized the deer was not afraid of him.
Cade's platoon had done their 12 mile ruck, which is a fast paced walk
also known as a loaded march, and states, "it was by far the best one
because you get to walk with your best buds with 30lbs on your back and
it was cool to look at the stars and then watch the sun rise."
Later that day, they learned about Bradleys. They are tiny tanks
and they learned how to reload the tank missile.
The countdown is on! The last PT test is coming up, then the
Banette March to Honor Hill. Then it's Gold Phase, which leads to
the Turning Blue Ceramony, family day and finally graduation.
Week 13 is spent on a seven day field training excercise. These
field training exercises are designed to test the soldiers mentally,
physically and emotionally. It is a culmination of all tactics
and skills rolled into one week of various training events. On the
final day they march up to Honor Hill to receive their coveted Crossed
Rifles. They walk up an enormous hill called 'The Stairway to
Heaven' carrying a 45lb pack on their backs and they also carry 35lb
water jugs as well as sand bags to simulate carrying a human
body. Knowing Cade's enjoyment of walking, I think he will suck
it up and make the march without any problems. I can just imagine
his face and excitment as he makes it to the top of Honor Hill.
I'm so proud of him! He is almost to the end.
Next, is Gold Phase. This is a week of cleaning weapons, packing
up and getting ready to move on. Cade will stay at Fort Benning
but in a different area for airborne training.
Finally comes the Turning Blue Ceremony and graduation. Turning
Blue is when Cade's dad will pin a blue infantry cord to Cade's dress
blue uniform. This signifies his entrance into the Brotherhood of the
Infantry. Graduation is from OSUT which is a combination of basic
training and advanced infantry training. After this Cade will move on
to Airborne school and then his duty station in Italy.
Those feelings of what ifs have gone away and feelings of #ARMYSTRONG
have kicked in. I'm a Army mom now and very proud of my
soldier. Graduation is just around the corner and then airborne
training, here we come! #ARMYSTRONG
|
|
|
|
