patriot phase

Jacob is in Week 1 of the "Red Phase" or "Patriot Phase" of BCT this week.  The Patriot Phase focuses on orientation and Soldierization.  Recruits are subject to "Total Control", meaning their every action is monitored and constantly corrected by drill sergeants as they transition from civilian to Soldier.

Week 1 begins with the recruits meeting the drill sergeants who will be responsible for their training throughout OSUT.  The drill sergeants pick up their recruits from the Reception Battalion and either transport or march them to their company area.  The company area is the common area for the entire company, and is surrounded by four barracks- one for each platoon in the company.

Upon arrival at the company area, recruits are subjected to the "bag drill".  This is a training exercise in which all the recruits' duffel bags are dumped into one large pile, and the recruits are told to find their personal duffel bags simultaneously, and within a set time limit.  The exercise is designed so that the Soldiers fail in their task and must keep trying again, until they realize that they must work together in order to complete the task within the time limit.  Following the bag drill, the recruits are divided into platoons.

Drill and Ceremony training begins during Week 1.  This refers to correct procedures for marching, and body movements such as standing at attention, "facing" (right-face/left-face), "at ease", etc.

Classroom instructions are given in each of the seven "Army Core Values," which include loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.  The initials spell out the mnemonic LDRSHIP (leadership).  There are also classes held on subjects that involve day-to-day personal life in the Army, such as sexual harassment and race relations.