I love getting mail!

Got a call from Steven this morning! Whoo Hoo, Happy Day! Steven sounds great! He says to send more letters and pics. He loves to hear from everyone and he is looking forward to seeing everyone on graduation day!

Norman Schwarzkopf:
The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.

You are alomst there Steven!

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure. ~Colin Powell

BRAVO COMPANY BULLDOGS

Steven is on his way to graduating Basic Combat Training.

Bravo Company holds a Family Day the day before graduation beginning at 9:00 am on September 30th at BLDG 3245 Bravo / 2-47 Company Training Area. Following a short Family Day ceremony, Steven will get a day pass to spend some well deserved time with us. Graduation will be October 1st at 9:00 am at The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center located at 3800 South Lumpkin Road. We will have several hours to spend with Steven after BCT graduation.

IMPORTANT: In order to gain access to Fort Benning and Sand Hill, drivers must have current state registration and insurance along with a valid driver's license. All occupants over the age of 10 must have a valid photo ID card.

On Friday, October 2nd, Steven will be transported to Fort Gordon, Georgia - the largest communications-electronics facility in the free world - to complete Advanced Individual Training (AIT). The training Steven receives during AIT is designed to teach him his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) that he will use once he reaches his first assignment.

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.

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.

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

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!

Mainling Address

Steven should have his new blackberry soon so no more phone cards are needed (whew)! Thanks to everyone that sent one in!

Steven said this will change soon, for now his mailing address is :

U.S. Army Infantry Center
Bravo Company 30th AG
Private Steven Gregory Woodward
Fort Benning, GA 31905

Follow your honest convictions, and stay strong.

~William Thackeray

Red Phase

Let me say this, I am ABSOLUTELY sure going through this and making it happen every day is much more different than we can ever know, but here is the gist of what our precious Steven is doing right now.

Steven is now in the Red Phase (or Patriot Phase) of his Basic Combat Training. In these three weeks this phase focuses on starting the “soldierization” process.

· Orientations
· Initial Values Training
· Physical Training
· Inspections (Barracks, Uniforms, and Equipment)
· Drill and Ceremonies (Marching)
· General Subjects (Nuclear Biological Chemical Warfare, Map Reading, Communications, First Aid, and other mandatory classes)
· Bayonet Training (Assault Course/Pugil Training/Bouts)

Following the Red Phase Steven will enter the White Phase (or Gunfighter Phase) then the Blue Phase (or Warrior Phase). Finally, after graduation he will enter into the Advanced Individual Training (his job training).

A typical day looks like this:

0430 Wake Up
0530 Physical Training
0630 Personal Hygiene/Breakfast
0730 Move to Training
0800 Training
1200 Lunch
1245 Training
1630 Return to Barracks
1700 Dinner
1800 Preparation for Next Day/Counseling/Extra Training
2000 Soldier Preparation Time
2100 Lights Out

whoooooa hoaaaaaah!!!!

My baby just called!!!! He sounded super, super beat (bless his heart). He says he has been doing great since he has been in Georgia. He just woke up from working a night shift and he couldn’t talk long because they were getting ready to do formations. He said we can finally start sending him packages and letters. As soon as I get the address (he mailed it to us) I will post it for anyone that wants to write.

When I asked what he needed, this is what he said…….
He needs stamps and phone cards like crazy!, Cologne (Diesel or Polo), lead for his mechanical pencils, AND photos of everyone that loves him!

He says he is still loving it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank GOD

Thank you Steven

your son sounds like a great man... and i am proud of him for doing such a great deed for our country
~Christine

Thank you Steven

We wanted to say Thank you so much for your strength and bravery and your commitment to our country. We appreciate you and your family for everything that you are doing for all of us.

~Donna and Bruce

Just doing drills

Steven called us Saturday, although his voice was very hoarse he sounds marvelous! He said they are doing drills every single day. We talked to him again on Sunday and he sounded much, much better. He says he mailed us another letter but it has not arrived yet :( trust me………we are stalking the postal delivery person daily!

We all can hardly wait for the time we can mail things to Steven. Waiting by the phone for his call is hard. We miss him so very much.

We think about our precious son every single day and hope and pray he is happy and content with his choice. Steven is an amazing and kind person and we enjoy so much watching him grow into a fine young man.

Time's Up! grrrrrr

Steven called and was able to talk for about five minutes this time before his Drill Sargent came by and yelled “Time’s Up!”.

He sounds so good. When asked what he did during his downtime he asked “What downtime?!?!” Steven said they are worked out every single day. We miss him so much and look forward to watching him grow into a good man.

We finally got a letter from Steven! He asked that we tell the Family hell-o and that he misses and loves everyone. He says it is hard to find time to write and he had written the letters in his bunk. We still cannot write to him or send him anything. He says he would “get smoked” by the drill sergeant. Steven said they are rotating the Platoon leader responsibility. He is working hard and wants to make everyone proud.

Please send him your prayers and support. Steven has a long road in front of him. We will be able to see him at graduation in Georgia, and then he is off to AIT training. The next opportunity we would have for him to come home, depending on his schedule, would be in January.