Foxtrot 1/50

On behalf of the Cadre of Foxtrot Company, 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry (F Co., 1-50 IN), I want to take this opportunity to greet you and tell you about the training your Soldier is undergoing to become a member of one of the most respected professions in the world, the Profession of Arms.
As your Soldier may have already told you, his stay here has already been filled with challenges. The nation depends on this unit to develop the world’s finest Infantrymen to serve in its defense. With this goal in mind, my Drill Sergeants, First Sergeant (1SG Jason Sager), Cadre, and I are completely dedicated to training and assisting every Soldier to reach his full potential. Those that make it will leave here a modern Infantryman who can fight and win on today’s battlefield.
Becoming an Infantryman is hard work. Your Soldier’s training here is extremely challenging physically, mentally, and emotionally. Before he graduates, he will walk over 100 total miles with full combat gear and pack, conduct Physical Training at least six times per week, and employ a full array of weapon systems ranging from his M16A4 rifle and hand grenades to the M240B machine gun and anti-tank weapons. He will spend over twenty-five hours of training in hand-to-hand and close combat fighting techniques, as well as hundreds of hours on other Soldier skills. His training here will culminate with a five day Field Training Exercise where he will combine everything he has learned into one major training event.
Your emotional support and encouragement can be extremely helpful to your Soldier. Most Soldiers will experience some difficulty while they are here that will require support from friends and family. Phone calls will be limited because of the busy training schedule but letter writing is encouraged. Please write your Soldier as often as you wish. Keep in mind, that mail sent within one week prior to graduation may take some time reaching your Soldier, as it will be forwarded to his next duty station. Please do not mail any contraband items, which include alcohol, tobacco products, pornography, and electrical devices to include cell phones. Please understand that our mission is to transform your loved one from a civilian into an Infantryman in a very short period of time. We will not allow your Soldier to receive visitors or phone calls. In case of a family emergency that requires contact with your Soldier, please contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross who will contact me, so that we can work together to resolve the situation.
Pending successful completion of all requirements, your Soldier will be eligible for a family day pass from 31 October to 2 November 2008, and an evening pass after the Turning Blue Ceremony on 11 December 2008.

31 October, 9 AM Drill and Ceremony competition at Marshall Field
31 October, 10 AM Family Brief in Foxtrot Classroom
31 October, 11 AM Family Day Pass
2 November, 7 PM Recall Formation at F Company
11 December, 10 AM Family Brief in Battalion Classrooms 1 and 2
11 December, 11 AM Turning Blue Ceremony in Battalion Area
11 December, 2 PM Married Soldier’s Brief at Sand Hill Recreation Center
11 December, 1 PM Turning Blue Pass
11 December, 8 PM Recall Formation
12 December, 10 AM Graduation at Kanell Field

Anyone is welcome to attend any or all of these events. During the Family Briefs, I will be explaining what your Soldier has done over the last several weeks as well as answer any questions you may have. The Family Day Pass is a great opportunity to spend time with your Soldier. If a Soldier has family attending, they will be allowed a weekend pass in the Columbus, GA area. All other Soldiers will be allowed an on-post pass with a nightly report time. All passes are subject to approval or disapproval by the chain of command. The Recall Formation is when that pass is over.
Turning Blue is when your Soldier will be given the Blue Infantry Cord that he will wear on all of his dress uniforms. This marks his entry into the Infantry. Following the Turning Blue Ceremony, all married Soldiers will go to the Sand Hill Recreation Center to receive a married Solider Briefing, get their Identification cards, update their Soldier’s Group Life Insurance, and get a special Power of Attorney. This is very important for married soldiers; it guarantees their eligibility to bring their families with them to their next duty station at the Army’s expense. It also helps them get housing, health care, and other benefits for their families that the Army will pay for under normal circumstances. Following the Graduation Ceremony, your Soldiers will return to the Foxtrot Company area and be released.
Do not worry about knowing where each location is if you have not visited Sand Hill before. Several signs and guides will be positioned throughout Sand Hill to guide you to each location. All you need to know is that your Soldier is with F Co., 1-50 IN. The company Family Readiness Group will have unit T-Shirts, coffee mugs, and other memorabilia for sale prior to both family briefs. Post Guest Housing Office will also help you obtain lodging should you need their assistance.
If you have any questions, contact my First Sergeant, 1SG Jason Sager, at (706) 544-9971 and jason.e.sager@us.army.mil or my Training NCO, SSG Joel Beamish, at (706) 544-9115 and joel.beamish@us.army.mil. You can also go to the 198th Infantry Training Brigade website at https://www.benning.army.mil/198th/ for information regarding your Soldier’s training.

Please use the following address when you write to your Soldier:

Rank, Last Name, First Name (Roster Number)
Foxtrot Company, 1-50th IN, ____ Platoon
198th Infantry Brigade
9240 Treadwell Drive
Fort Benning, GA 31905

If you decide to join us for any or all of these events, I am certain you will find your visit interesting and enjoyable. My Cadre and I look forward to meeting you.

Don Y. Kim
1LT, IN
Commanding