‘You shock them into their new environment’

Several dozen U.S. Army recruits file onto buses at Fort Jackson for a short ride to their new barracks.

The last few days have been mundane, filled with in-processing tasks such as uniform fittings and haircuts. The next few hours and days — indeed, the rest of their basic training — will be more spirited.

The “shark attack” begins seconds after they depart the buses. The recruits are quickly and aggressively confronted by drill sergeants, screamed at and forced to repeatedly raise their heavy duffel bags above their heads.

Some bags are roughly dumped if the recruit falters. The language will peel paint.

The Red Phase of basic training has began.

As Fort Jackson continues a year-long celebration of its centennial, The State is following five South Carolina recruits and other members of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 193rd Infantry Brigade as they move through basic training. On July 3, we covered the group’s arrival at Fort Jackson and the recruits’ in-processing.

Today’s coverage includes the initial Red Phase of training, which the recruits finished just more than a week ago.

During Red Phase, recruits learn the basic of the basics: How to tie their boots, how to salute, how to fire a weapon. Red Phase comes first, when recruits are at their weakest, their most stubborn or their most confused.

“You shock them into their new environment,” said Capt. Avron J. Bloom, D Company commander. “Drill sergeants have to assert psychological dominance over the soldiers to the make them receptive to transformation.

“Some of them bring mental barriers,” he said. “Those have to be removed.”

Did you serve at Fort Jackson?

We’re looking for stories from those who trained at the Fort Jackson for a book we are publishing this fall. Please send your story to Paul Osmundson at posmundson@thestate.com.

This story was originally published July 30, 2016 at 6:48 PM with the headline "‘You shock them into their new environment’."