Send Me: The making of a Soldier | Week 4

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — In Week 4 of [U.S. Army Basic Combat Training](https://www.goarmy.com/army-life/basic-training), more than 100 trainees finishe… FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — In Week 4 of U.S. Army Basic Combat Training, more than 100 trainees finished Red Phase by completing their first official Army Fitness Test, negotiating rugged Ozark terrain during tactical land navigation and successfully executing their first field training exercise. Completing this phase was the biggest milestone for trainees, said Sgt. 1st Class Jared Croft, Company A senior drill sergeant, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Chemical Brigade. “They are beginning to understand the standards and hold themselves and their teammates to them,” he said.

“Beyond individual events, we saw trainees become more accountable, respond to corrections faster and take greater pride in their formation and equipment.” “They established self-confidence and came together as members of a team truly embracing the Alpha Company Assassins mentality.” “The trainees brought great effort and encouraged each other throughout the events. We can see their fitness improving through better endurance, stronger movement and faster recovery during daily training,” Croft said. “They are starting to recognize what they can accomplish when they stay consistent and push themselves.” Braving persistent autumn rain Oct. 14, 2026, trainees translated classroom fundamentals into field application as they navigated the dense, wet timber of the Missouri