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.

Nooooooo.......missed call.....

Mom, they took my gum.

Oh Happy, Happy Day! Steven has been saving his ONE phone call for FATHERS DAY! Shane couldn't stop smiling, the best Father's Day gift ever.

I know he has been gone for only six days but not being able to talk to him anytime we want is torture!

He sounds sooooo good! He was with his buddies when he called (figures) but you could hear shear happiness in his voice. He says he LOVES it so far, except for the “birth control” glasses [he can’t wear his contacts until after Basic Combat Training is over]. His hair is gone and he is sporting his fatigues. You know he is a super cutie.

Double checked with him and he confirms……still not able to write to him or send him any packages. His only prevailing comments were about the glasses and one other thing……..Steven said, “Mom, they took my gum.”

Steven said to tell everyone hi and he loves them and not to worry about him because all is well. He did say he missed us too, a little because it has only been a week! lol

It has been four days already!

Still no word (or phone call) from Pooter Button! Soooooo, I called Fort Jackson this morning and found out we cannot send mail for another 3 weeks! He is still in “processing” mode and we won’t be able to send anything until he gets to Fort Benning

Already missing Steven!

It has officially been 24 hours since heading off to Basic Training. We can hardly wait to hear from him. He will be able to call us once within the first 48 hours to let us know he has arrived safely. After that, he will not be able to call us for 21 days! We will be able to write to him. Once we have the address we will post it here.