Becoming a Soldier: August 2009

Sunday, August 23, 2009

it is rough

Steven called today (Thank GOD!). He sounds beat. He told us things are rough and his Platoon is still in the Red Phase of training and have not progressed to the White Phase. Last night was his first night in a bed since last week. The Platoon was on a week long field training mission. Steven said it is real rough being one of the youngest. He asked us to send him song lyrics. Steven also said he is super hungry for anything but had a dream about a Big Mac and McFlurry! Said he could see the McDs at the end of a long hallway and he was running for it as it kept getting further and further away until he tripped and woke up. :( Poor little guy broke out in a cold sweat. >>>This is so funny to us because he normally hates McDonald's food<<<

There is only a little over a month before we can go see him. All are welcome to come and we hope to see many there. Steven would be greatly honored if you are able to make it to Georgia. We will post the dates once confirmed. At the moment, graduation should be October 1st, with Family Day the day before.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Gas Chamber Training

Steven went through Gas Chamber Training today, twice! He sounds amazing and sends his love to everyone. Please keep Steven in your prayers and send him as many encouraging, positive thoughts as possible...he really likes letters and pictures too :)

Private Woodward, Steven 453

B Company, 2nd Battalion, 47th IN 192 Bde

Fort Benning, GA 31905

Please write often so Steven knows how much he is loved and so that he knows without a doubt that we all support him.

He especially wants us to send him pictures of everyone, and asked us for stamps and envelopes to write.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.
~Aristotle

NEW MAILING ADDY TBA

Steven has a new address, I will update ASAP

Monday, August 3, 2009

The man who takes a chance . . . who walks the line between the known and unknown . . . who is unafraid of failure, will succeed. ~Gordon Parks

Steven, You are a brave person to know what it is you want and head out after it. We are all so proud of you and the man you are becoming. We miss you dearly and love you even more. We talk about you each and every day and look forward to seeing you next month!

Stevens Journey

Steven was a typical freshman student: friends, sports, clubs, a solid future and a family who has always encouraged him to follow his heart and stand by his values. Like many other children, growing up Steven often thought about and talked about joining the military. It was during a college preparedness meeting when Steven announced that the military was a definite career choice for him, he wanted to serve his country and do something that mattered. It wasn’t a complete shock to us but this was the first time he openly discussed his choice with anyone other than his friends and family. Steven explained how he felt the military would give him leadership opportunities, college education, job training and a career he was exceedingly passionate about.

Over the next several years, we continued to discuss Steven’s interest in a military career and offer alternatives at every possible opportunity. As emotional as we were to accept Steven’s decision, he was certain he was ready. Steven had decided the military would be his career, his life. It was very important to us to be supportive. During the research and enlistment process we have been right by Steven’s side.

In June, Steven packed his bag for Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Benning, Georgia. He left Indianapolis June 15th and will spend nine weeks in Georgia preparing physically and mentally to become a soldier. After BCT, Steven will shift to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for eighteen weeks where he will learn how to perform a job in Communications. The eighteen weeks of AIT training will be directly applied toward a college degree. Following training, Steven will be involved in the installation and operation of multi-channel line-of-site and tropospheric scatter communications systems, network switching systems, satellite communication systems and signal support systems. After graduating AIT training Steven will attend five additional training courses, including Airborne, to qualify for Special Forces.

BCT and AIT will be tough, as it would be for any recruit, however this will be Steven’s first time on his own. We have devised a system to ensure Steven will receive a letter, a package or some form of encouragement every day. We will track Steve’s journey and post it on BlogSpot.com.

Steven is an amazing person and we are proud to watch him realize one of his goals and whole heartedly work to achieve it.