Writing Challenge
*** When addressing your trainee, he/she will be referred to as
Airman.
Air Force MOMS BMT believes in giving credit where credit is
due, this was originally in the US Army Future Soldier Family. I
think it deserves being shared:
Follow this 30 day challenge to help pass the time while your
Soldier is away at BCT! By the end you will also have something to
look back on and share with your Soldier. You will need a journal,
notebook, or folder of some type. Day 30 will end with your arrival
at Family Day to see your Soldier, so you should start Day 1 of this
challenge accordingly so that you will end it on your Soldier's
Family Day!
*** Remember to switch Airman for Soldier
Day 1
Remember the first day you laid eyes on your Soldier...remember the
feelings, the thoughts, etc. and write them down as if you went back
in time and were reliving that day all over again.
For a new mother, it may have been when the doctor first placed the
little one in your arms. For a spouse, well you know how that story
went as if it happened just yesterday, right? Write and remember
like it was Day 1 all over again.
Day 2
Find a favorite photo of your Soldier; remember the moment it was
taken, what you were doing, what was your Soldier doing, and reflect
on the picture and why it is your favorite. Write this in your
journal.
If you have a copy of the picture, add it to the journal, make your
pages colorful. Maybe it is a baby photo, mischievous photo, or a
favorite memory of your loved one. Throughout the day today reflect
on that photo.
Day 3
Today you will remember a very special FAMILY moment...one that
brought the most joy and silent words to your heart about how happy
you were to be together as a family. For the love birds, remember
the first time you were introduced to your Soldier's family and how
it made you feel. The Army is a small world and yet, its family is
big and it comes together for one another in times of need, joy and
definitely celebration. Remember FAMILY and your SOLDIER. Write this
in your journal!
Day 4
HOME: a place which one's domestic affections are centered.
Today, you will describe your Soldier's hometown and remember, in
their words, what they would miss most about HOME. Could it be the
ice cream shop on the corner? A favorite park? The beach? Maybe it's
the memories shared at the local high school. Wherever and whatever
it may be, if you said the name of their hometown...what memory of
their favorite place comes to mind?
Day 5
Today you will take a moment and remember your loved one's
SMILE...take a second to remember the different feelings that would
come from seeing those pearly whites, or the thought running through
your mind when you caught the sneaky grin, you can also reflect on
the laughter that came with that smile and just how it made you feel
to hear happiness. This is going to be that one smile that will be
outshined by the SMILE you will see when reunited with your loved
one on Family Day.
Day 6
Acrostic Poetry - take your Soldier's first name and use each of the
letters to come up with a word that describes your Soldier. Feel you
need to be challenged? Use each letter to start a sentence that
describes in detail who your Soldier is to you.
Day 7
Father is the male parent or, in some cases, the individual who
gives paternal care over persons. Mother is the female parent or, in
some cases, the individual who gives maternal care over persons.
Remember in one of three ways a touching moment between Father and
Child/Mother and Child...Your Soldier as a Father/Mother, Your
Soldier and his Father/Mother, or Your Soldier and someone whom
cared for him as a Father or Mother. Most of our special memories
are made from the gentle moments in time between parent and child
and this is your day to remember.
Day 8
Items are always a great reminder of our loved ones...find a photo
of a FLOWER that reminds you the most of your Soldier, think about
the color, the reason and the way the flower makes you feel.
It might have been a construction paper flower for Mother's Day, the
first bouquet you ever received or the flower that represented your
love the best. Everyone has a story, express your bloom today. Write
this down and add the flower to your journal!
Day 9
One of the hardest parts of your Soldier being at BCT is not being
able to hear their voice every day. Watch this video of SIT's about
to receive their cell phones back at the end of their BCT
cycle: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxDmC9uCFqQ
Have you received a phone call from your Soldier since they've been
gone? If so, write about that experience - how you felt when the
phone rang, when you answered and heard their voice, what you talked
about, etc. Describe how their voice makes you feel. If you haven't
received that call yet, write about how much you miss their voice
and what you can't wait to say to them!
Day 10
Watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hne68QXlJA0
Think about the video you just watched above and describe how you
can't wait for the day that you are reunited with your SOLDIER, all
your expectations and what you plan to do to help make Family Day be
a special and memorable day for you both.
Day 11
When was the last time you saw your Soldier stand up tall and proud
to proclaim something they believed in...remember the moment,
remember the reason, remember the way it made you feel listening to
something that your SOLDIER took to heart and truly expressed with
words that moved you.
Day 12
Look back in the past and write about the one person who may have
made an influential decision on your SOLDIER's choice to become a US
Soldier. If there was no one in particular, describe their decision
and then how it made you feel. Compare those feelings then to the
ones you have now. And then ask yourself, has your SOLDIER's
decision influenced you in any way to be a different person who also
stands strong and proud of what you believe in?
Day 13
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach...and a
woman eats what only she desires. What was the last food item your
SOLDIER desired before heading to BCT? Did you make a trip to a
special restaurant in celebration of their enlistment? What has been
the most talked about snack, drink or just the home cooked meal they
have been wanting? I wouldn't doubt that come Family Day, the food
desires will be met by the best of your ability.
Day 14
This one is short and sweet....if you had to pick a color that
reminded you of your SOLDIER, what would it be and why?
Day 15
LOYALTY
One of the ARMY Values that your SOLDIER is expected to learn and
live up to while being one of the United States' finest is loyalty.
It simply means "the state of being loyal, a faithfulness to
commitment and obligation" and today you will remember when your
SOLDIER showed such an act that may have displayed this value. In
your eyes, how did such a moment possibly define the character that
makes up your SOLDIER.
Day 16
DUTY
Another ARMY Value defined to the Soldier as "fulfill your
obligations." Doing your duty means more than carrying out your
assigned tasks. Duty means being able to accomplish tasks as part of
a team. The work of the U.S. Army is a complex combination of
missions, tasks and responsibilities - all in constant motion. Our
work entails building one assignment onto another. You fulfill your
obligations as a part of your unit every time you resist the
temptation to take "shortcuts" that might undermine the integrity of
the final product.
Write about a time when your SOLDIER displayed this value!
Day 17
RESPECT
Respect is a value that not only your SOLDIER but anyone would
expect. Your Soldier will hear it used repeatedly as there are
expectations to uphold this value. Not just to one self but to
country, the Army, their family and each other. Having self-respect
to be the best Soldier they can be and never shame all they stand
for.
Complete the sentence or describe the moment: My Soldier once showed
an incredible amount of respect...
Day 18
SELFLESS SERVICE (** Similar to Air Force "Service Before Self" Core
Value)
A value that we all at one point and time have given freely for the
prosperity of others. For your SOLDIER, it is putting "the welfare
of the nation, the Army and their subordinates before their own. In
serving their country, they are doing their duty loyally without
thought of recognition or gain. The basic building block of selfless
service is the commitment of each team member to go a little
further, endure a little longer, and look a little closer to see how
he or she can add to the effort."
Before determining to sign up for service, your SOLDIER may have
displayed this value on one or more occasions. Can you remember that
day and how you felt knowing that their cares went beyond
themselves? Take a moment to recollect the thoughtfulness for
another over their own and sometimes selfish needs. Now, when your
SOLDIER faithfully displays this value, you will look upon that
moment and realize how much better a person they have become as they
now make a sacrifice for not just one but all.
Day 19
HONOR
The Army value that ties all 7 together, because as a SOLDIER each
value allows them to commit to a way of living that is respectable,
fair, and holds their beliefs and actions to a higher standard.
SOLDIERS are awarded medals and recognition for the honor presented
whether it is because they "make honor a matter of their daily
living" or work hard in their training and who they have become and
all they have accomplished. Distinguished Honors are given to those
who lead above the rest and yet, set an example for all others to
hopefully learn from and follow.
Your loved one will stand proud for all he or she has become in the
last few weeks, how will you honor your SOLDIER for their commitment
on Graduation Day? Some will quietly with a gift, a small token of
appreciation and others will have a grand celebration for a family
dinner. Share in your thoughts how your SOLDIER deserves the HONOR
for making this selfless sacrifice for his/her country and for all.
Day 20
INTEGRITY (** Air Force #1 Core Value)
"Do what's right, legally and morally. Integrity is a quality you
develop by adhering to moral principles. It requires that you do and
say nothing that deceives others. As your integrity grows, so does
the trust others place in you. The more choices you make based on
integrity, the more this highly prized value will affect your
relationships with family and friends, and, finally, the fundamental
acceptance of yourself."
Your loved one understands the value of INTEGRITY as it has helped
them become a US SOLDIER. This defines them as they have stood
strong for who they wanted to be, trusted in others to help them
through and provide for their well-being as well as those who depend
on them. Remember one morally right decision that your SOLDIER has
done in their past to better themselves and possibly affect the
lives of others.
Day 21
PERSONAL COURAGE
It is a value that has been long associated with the Army. It is
described as not only physical but a moral courage. Your SOLDIER
will display this value when facing fear, danger or adversity and
yet, with their strengths make a decision on the right path. Not
only as a SOLDIER but as individuals we display our own acts of
personal courage, "we stand up for things that we know are
honorable."
Take this day to remember the man or woman who left weeks ago to set
out to be one of America's finest...remember the moment they swore
oath into the US Army, they displayed this courage for the first
time. Aware of what they learned from recruiters and what was
visible to them they overcame fears and now are prepared for
whatever the Army calls them to do. Was there a time before service
that your SOLDIER showed Personal Courage and made you just as proud
as right now? Remember and share those feelings...
Day 22
Independence is the freedom to do and be without the control or
influence of others. As young children, many will show their parents
how they can be big girls and big boys, and do things all by
themselves. As they age, they will learn how independence helps them
make sound judgment calls to be an adult and take care of
themselves, all by themselves. In the time that your Soldier has
been at BCT, you may have noticed a change...maybe even confidence
to be independent. What change have you noticed? Do you see the
good, and how it may have overturned any bad? Have the strengths
they shared made you feel more confident in them? Remember your
SOLDIER and the independent individual they have become through the
years...
Day 23
Your SOLDIER has expectations to succeed. With their best foot
forward and determination, they will. The words that make up a part
of the "Soldier's Creed" are known as "Warrior Ethos." These words
are strong and said with conviction as they are proudly proclaimed
in being an American Soldier. Watch this video to hear the Soldier's
Creed recited: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynl8kYCYImg
If you took each line, can you relate it to a memorable moment when
your SOLDIER displayed these great words? And when there comes a
moment that they will need your moral support, you will be able to
share these stories of the past that help them remember they will
live up to the expectations of these short sentences and SUCCEED...
"I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade."
*** You can find the Airman's Creed here
AIRMAN'S CREED
Day 24
One week and counting to the day you have all been waiting
for...there is so much excitement as you are so close to seeing your
Soldier for the first time in 10 long weeks, your loved one now an
American Soldier.
Take today to reflect back and remember how you first felt when they
left...remember all the emotions you were going through and compare
them to the feelings you have today. Are there improvements that
help make you stronger to handle this life choice of your Soldier?
What are the first words that you may utter as soon as you see them?
Today you tell your Soldier (in your journal) how you felt and how
you are feeling, and what you believe will help you continue to
support them no matter what.
Day 25
Graduation Day is one week away. One of the proudest days, when
along with their battles, your loved one will stand proud, confident
and accomplished for completing their training in Basic Combat and
have now joined the greatest Army ever as a US SOLDIER. Reciting the
words to the Soldier's Creed and making the commitment to be one of
the best America has to offer.
Today, you will just reflect on those anticipated feelings during
that one hour ceremony a week from today. Paste the page away with
pictures of those memories and finish the note: "To my US Soldier, I
am ____________________." Complete the sentence or write every
emotion you are feeling at that time. It will be an instant memory
to always have to remember.
Day 26
There are three true colors that are representative of our country;
they fly in flags all across our great nation and deep where our
representation is known. Our Soldiers wear them proudly and we are
ever grateful when displaying them in our Patriotism. It is
symbolized for our loyalty and commitment to the United States of
America.
Today, close your eyes, say each color out loud, and think of your
SOLDIER...today you describe the moment to each...RED, WHITE, and
BLUE...this is the final flag that flies after the long 10 weeks of
each phase now complete.
Day 27
For the first time in 9 weeks, after your loved one has been
challenged and completed the quest, it is a great feeling of
accomplishment to know that they can truly call themselves a US
SOLDIER. Rites of Passage have always been a defining moment after a
grueling week of field exercises and yet dealing with the elements
of Mother Nature.
Take a second to look back on your SOLDIER and remember a similar
moment that your loved one worked so hard for, struggled through
weeks mentally, physically and sometimes emotionally to come out of
the situation a better person. How did that moment impact your
SOLDIER and what feelings did they share with you to help you feel
just as proud of the moment?
*** BMT is 8 1/2 weeks. Graduation weekend is at the end of
week 7.
Day 28
Travel can be exhausting...but for you all, it is all worth every
hour and every mile to be there at Family Day. Take the time today
to remember a favorite time when Travel was just as exciting for not
only yourself but your SOLDIER...where? when? and all the details
that made it a very special trip. Remember....and if there wasn't
one in the past...what special trip would you like to plan for the
future?
Day 29
ANXCITATIOUS.... (pronounced anx SITE Tay shous)
It isn't really a word but it is a combination of being anxious and
excited at the same time.
Remembering your SOLDIER and a very special moment that brought you
to these exact feelings in the past, can you describe them in a
short story, and add all the feelings then and compare them to your
moment right now. And just think, your Soldier is just as
anxcitatious as you....
Day 30
Take a deep breath and think about the sun coming up over the trees
and climbing each section of the bleachers...think about you sitting
in the stands with fellow family members just bursting with
excitement...think about you watching your Soldier running onto the
field and how you will feel when you hear the words to "go get your
Soldier"....when you meet...what do you say? How do you feel? And
enjoy every moment with your loved one!
***You will be told to Tap out your Airman, For more info on
Tap Out |
