Training Unit Hierarchy (Fort Sill)
Joseph,
Getting to week six is yet another milestone. Every update we get about your progress reminds us that you are pushing through something most people never attempt. Even though much of it has been boring, repetitive, and exhausting, you have endured it all. You have learned to be disciplined, to follow orders, and to push yourself to not do your own will but to do what is asked of you. That is a big deal, and it is a skill that will serve you in life. Actually it is a very Catholic thing to subordinate your will to authority - which comes from God.
Yellow → Red (Hammer) → White (Anvil) → Blue (Forge)
I believe you are in the White/Anvil phase now, which is where the training becomes more focused on teamwork, confidence courses, combatives, and tactical training. You are learning to work with others, to trust your team, and to rely on each other in ways that will be crucial in your future military career. The skills you are developing now will stay with you for life. When you look back you will see it differently then you do now. Soak-in the atmosphere, life, the good-bad-and-ugly of it all. Once life changes, as it always does, you will look back and see the value of this time in ways you cannot now. Later you will see that the lessons learned here are not just about military skills, but about life skills. Throughout life, once again through Catholic eyes, you will see that the discipline, teamwork, and resilience you are building now will serve you in ways that go beyond the military. They will help you in your personal life, in your relationships, and in your faith. Later, hopefully, you will see the Good, the True, The Beautiful. From here at home, we can feel the momentum building - you are getting stronger, sharper, and closer to that moment when you stand tall on graduation day.
Life at home keeps moving, even if it feels a little quieter without you. Work is crazy busy, the kind of nonstop pace where the days blur together, but it saps my energy by the end of the day. Your mom and I keep the house running, but there is no denying the shift - the old family dynamics we had years ago are something I miss. Not in a sad way, just in that “those were good times” way. Your absence reminds us how much you shaped the rhythm of this home.
We (really your mother) are in the final planning phase of our trip to Spain. We hoping for good weather and fun trip. I keep thinking of how great it would be if our family had the money, and better at-home relations - to take this trip together. Now, we are also planning for your graduation trip. Planning it gives us something exciting to look forward to, and it feels good knowing that soon we will see you standing there, forged by everything you have endured. Family Day is going to be a moment we hold onto - seeing you, hearing your voice, and knowing (thinking ahead) you are almost at the finish line. Just thinking about how your siblings, near and far, are happy for you.
At times we chat about you, imagining you throughout each week of Boot Camp with that stubborn family determination. You were never far from our thoughts.
Keep pushing, Joseph. We are in your corner; praying and proud. You are missed, you are loved, and you are never forgotten in the daily flow of our lives. Finish strong.
With love,
Dad
Joseph,
It was great to chat on Sunday - glad you did not sound sick, it was a relief to hear your voice steady and upbeat, and of course your sense of humor.
You appear to be looking healthier and more conditioned; albeit a loss of strength, ie, deadlift/AFT per your comments. I am shocked that they "waste" so much time and the level of training (IMHO) is shockingly deficient. I seriously worry about the quality of your training and how this reflects on the military strength of our country. My personal conditioning when I was young seems to have been much more rigorous. Sadly, this reflects on two issues: the effeminacy of our young adults and acceptance of DEI crap.
That aside, make the best use of the time, conditioning, and training you can. I am really frustrated for you as I was hoping the training and challenge would have been befitting a young male adult.
You have a few AIT/MOS companions, which is great; build those bonds now, pushing each other is a positive sense, raising the bar towards excellence. Make good use of an opportunity to excel.
Work here at home is crazy for me right now, always more than I can get done. I find it very strange that youth - who has the energy - is little engaged, whereas I am near retirement and overloaded. Something is a bit backwards.
BTW: I think part of why John picked his wedding date when he did was so you would be able to come and be part of it, one of the biggest days of his life and he wants you there... family! You should feel appreciated and honored.
Keep focusing on rest, recovery, and the basics: sleep, hydration, and consistent training. Your progress matters more than perfection. If they do not push you hard enough, then push yourself and those with whom you will be spending much time in the future.
We are proud of you going forward with what you feel is important, and respect your decision in this path you have chosen. Keep working, praying, communicating. We all look forward to hearing from you and seeing you succeed.
With love,
Dad
Hi Joseph,
Family life feels different without you here. The house is quieter, and it misses the joy, fun and energy you bring. Your presence leaves a real mark, and we feel that every day. I assume you are doing that there as you can.
We are roughly six weeks away from seeing you again, and I am already looking forward to that moment. In about four weeks, your mother and I will be flying out to Spain. Please keep us in your prayers, as we daily keep you in ours.
As usual, life brings its challenges, and our family always seems to have something to deal with. But we push through, and we try to stay strong. Stress comes and goes, but we keep moving forward. Family unity is so important... do not forget that. Always work to strengthen that bond - you, John and SMJ are of that same mold. Go through each member of your family in prayer, offering your sacrifices to God for the unity, happiness, and the future of our family. These small offerings build something powerful.
While you are away, make good use of this time. This is your future - building skills, learning discipline, and shaping the man of your future. Focus on the events, the lessons, and the growth that will become assets for your future. When you find yourself standing around with nothing to do, place yourself before the Cross. See yourself through God's eyes - renewed, strengthened... your are not alone. Be circumspect when examining yourself - honestly - is useful for forming your conscience and strengthening the bond (within yourself) with God.
Keep us in your prayers, as we truly need them, and we will keep you in ours to help keep you focused and on course. I pray for you, and I ask you to pray for us as well. Your efforts, work prayers matter. This should be a part of who you are.
In the words of Saint Padre Pio: “Hope, pray, and don't worry.”
... now if I can only do that myself!H O O A H
-Dad
Joseph,
You are now entering the part of training where your instructors expect steadiness, maturity, and intention. The early ignorance is gone and the routines/patterns are now familiar. Now is the time where your habits begin to define you. This is where a young man learns that strength is what is inside of you and leadership is responsibility lived out in action as an example for others. You are being formed into a soldier, and that is a process that requires patience, humility, and discipline.
You endure early mornings, long formations, and physical strain. You have pushed through obstacles, sickness, and moments where your body wants to slow down. That matters. It shows that you understand duty and that you are learning to govern yourself, which is the first mark of a man.
Red Phase is not simply about tasks. It is about shaping instincts. Every drill, every correction, every repetition will sharpen your discipline and strengthen your character. Pressure is not the enemy, it is the tool that reveals what is inside and teaches how to act with purpose.
Remember that virtue is the armor a man wears when life demands more. Discipline strengthens, Obedience teaches humility and respect. Integrity should be who you are.
Next week will test your patience and your endurance. You may feel tired or stretched thin. That is normal. What matters is how you respond. Keep your mind steady and your heart quiet. Offer your effort to God. A Catholic man prays through work, sacrifice, and obedience.
Your instructors may push harder now. They may demand more precision and more attention to detail. Understand that this IS formation. They are preparing you for responsibility. Accept the process with humility and resolve.
You will also see the importance of teamwork. The Army builds men who stand together. Help your battle buddies. Encourage them. Leadership is also being responsible for the people around you. Carry yourself with intention. Your actions speak for you. Let your effort show the man you are becoming. Every day is an opportunity to strengthen your character and sharpen your purpose.
H O O A H
-Dad
Photo: none
Dear Joseph,
You have now finished Week Two, and (from our reading) the Red Phase is where things begin to take shape. The first week was mostly adjustment - maybe a bit boring - but now comes formation. The pace will pick up, the expectations will rise, and you will feel the weight of responsibility in a new way. That is good. This is one of the great benefits of the military - maturity comes from duty and responsibility. You bear the weight of your own actions... and maybe a bit from those you help.
You have encountered the Combat Conditioning Course, the first diagnostic fitness test, and the Treadwell Tower. Each one is meant to challenge you, sharpen you, and teach you something about yourself. Meet every opportunity with intention. Do not wait for someone else to set the tone - that is YOUR tone to set. Perform like a man who understands what is required. This is not a punishment, but refinement. Like the dross being separated from the gold. It is intentional, useful, awesome for building character.
You know this from home. Strength without direction becomes waste. We see too many examples of that in life. Your are "built different"! Fire without discipline becomes damage. But strength ORDERED TOWARD DUTY becomes virtue. Wrap you mind around the idea that you are being refined into a man of character... this is gift other do not receive. That "fire" should be directed toward purpose. If you learn this lesson, it will stay with you for the rest-of-your-life!
As you enter this next week, keep close the maxims that have guided Catholic men for generations:
Discipline strengthens the will. A man who governs himself can face anything.
Obedience strenghens the will - you will control it, not it you. It teaches humility, trust, and respect.
Humility protects you from pride. It keeps you steady and teachable so you can learn.
Integrity becomes who you are - always do what is right. If no one else is watching, God is.
Sacrifice builds character. What you give up shows the value of what you are doing it for.
Courage comes from God through faith. Fear may speak, but you shut it out.These are not ideas for quiet days. They are tools/weapons for hard days. You will carry them with you. Build your inventory and utilize them.
When you stood at the top of Treadwell Tower, your heart beat fast and your hands may have shaken. That is normal. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision, with prudence, to act anyway. Trust your training, your instructors and most of all, trust God, whom you should invoke every day.
When you ran the Combat Conditioning Course, the obstacles come fast, you push harder than you think you can. Not recklessly, but with purpose. You should show your commanding officers and your "battle buddies" what intention/intensity looks like when a young man embraces it fully.
When you learn Tactical Combat Casualty Care, take it seriously by learning all you can. These skills may one day save lives. That training demands calm, clarity, and focus at that moment. Responsibility should always be met with maturity.
This week as you step into the Hammer phase, it is supposed to feel tough. They will push you hard, breaking down old habits, they may make it seem like nothing you do is good enough - but that is just the process. It is not personal. Every recruit goes through it, and it is how they start shaping you into the soldier you are meant to be. Once you get through Hammer, the Anvil will build you up with skills and teamwork, and the Forge will prove your strength and readiness. Keep your head down, follow orders, and remember that each hard day is moving you forward. We are proud of you, and I know you will come out stronger on the other side. Your efforts will garner the respect of your peers, particularly if you demonstrate the qualities that make a true leader, helping, directing others - your team.
Joseph, your family (everyone) thinks of you every day. We pray for you every night. You are not forgotten. You are not alone. You are surrounded by love - faith - strength from those far away.
Stay disciplined.
Be responsible.
Act with faith.
Remain focused.Remember: You are exactly where you are meant to be, doing exactly what you were meant to do. Give them heck, give them everything.
H O O A H !
-Dad
Dear Joseph
Boot camp may not have been as difficult as you first expected, but that can change at any moment. And if you are not being challenged enough, do not coast - find ways to give more. Help those around you. Communicate with optimism. Refuse boredom. Spend yourself. A man who seeks challenge grows; a man who waits for challenge stagnates.
You also know this from home: I have a history of having a temper. You have seen how strong passions, if not directed, can burn instead of build. My hope is that you learn to control yours better than I ever did - to channel your strength, your fire, your intensity into purpose, discipline, and service. Boot camp is the perfect place to learn that. Power without control is chaos; power with discipline is virtue.
By now, you have likely settled into the rhythm - the early mornings, the constant pressure, the demand (at times, maybe to come) to give more than you think you have. The initial ignorance has passed, and now you are in the pattern where real formation begins. This is where men are shaped, not by comfort, but by consistency - the same principle that drives physical training. And I want you to see the connection: the discipline you are learning there is the same discipline that strengthens a Catholic man's soul.
Every day you rise, stand in formation, push your body, sharpen your mind - let that become your prayer. Offer every repetition, every correction, every moment of fatigue to God with intention. A soldier does not wait for ideal conditions, and neither does a man of faith. Prayer is not only words; it is endurance, sacrifice, obedience, and the quiet strength to continue when no one is watching. Right now, your effort is your prayer (morning offering).
You were raised to know that virtue is not decoration - it is armor.
Discipline strengthens your will.
Obedience forms your soul.
Humility breaks false pride.
Integrity protects who you are.
Mastery of your passions steadies embolens your will.These are not abstract ideals; they are the "gear" you carry into every challenge. And right now, you are learning how to wear them well.
The days may feel long (too much, too little?) and at times relentless, but remember: crisis reveals what is inside a man. And what is inside you is good, strong, rooted in Faith, Family, and purpose. You are not being broken down - you are being refined.
When you find even a moment of quiet, turn your thoughts toward God. A simple “Lord, strengthen me” is enough. Unite yourself with Our Lady of Sorrows. Keep your Rosary close, even if you cannot pray every bead. Keep your mind sharp and your intentions pure. Let your faith be the compass that steadies you when everything around you is loud and demanding.
Your family thinks of you often. We talk about you, pray for you, and carry you in our hearts throughout the day. There is pride in every conversation, hope in every prayer, and strength in every memory of you. You are not forgotten. You are not alone. You are surrounded - even from afar - by love, faith, and confidence in the man you are becoming.
Stay focused. Stay disciplined. Stay faithful.
You are building a foundation that will carry you through the rest of your life - as a soldier, a son, a sibling, and as a Catholic man. Keep moving forward with purpose. You are exactly where you are meant to be, doing exactly what you were meant to do.
Your Father
You have now experienced the challenges that come with boot camp. The days may be hitting hard and the pace pushes you near/past your limits (for now), remember that you carry strength, values, and family in your bones. Boot camp is meant to challenge you, to strip away comfort, and to reveal the man you already are becoming. Life has purpose, and you were raised to meet it with Discipline, Obedience, Humility, and Integrity - not as ideas, but as the core of who you are. When things get tough, hold your ground. Let your resolve, your work ethic, and your character set the example for others. Show what it looks like when a man steps forward with conviction and refuses to back down. You are not just enduring this - you are shaping yourself into someone others look to.
And Joseph, I want you to know something: I wish I were there in my youth, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you. What you are doing carries pieces of me, and it carries all of you. You are walking a path that demands strength, grit, and heart (ability, determination, passion) - and you have all three. Keep your faith close, steady and quiet, like a compass that never fails. Lead through action - push harder, stay focused, respect authority, and never quit. Every challenge you face is building you into the man you were meant to become.
Know that your family is thinking of you every day. We pray for you, we miss your presence, and we would give much to be there watching you progress - seeing you grow, seeing you fight through the hard moments, seeing you rise. You are not alone in this journey; your family stands behind you with pride and confidence. Every step you take forward, we are right there with you in spirit. Keep moving forward with strength and purpose. You are becoming exactly who you were meant to be.
If you have the time, paper and energy, create a Journal of notes which you can use later on which you can elaborate. This will be a collection of your thoughts, reflections, and experiences that you can look back on in the future. It can be a great way to track your personal growth and development over time. At least cryptic/brief if you are busy and tired.
Photo: family
-Dad /Pops /Father