FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov.4 2015) -- A total of 223 trainees responded "Yes, sergeant," in unison at 7 a.m. Oct. 28 as Sgt. Mark Dauphinais, 30th Adjutant General Battalion (Reception), asked, 'Were you issued four ACUs?' 'Do you have access to your money with a debit card or a checkbook?' 'Were you given a series of shots?' during 30th AG's roll call.

At 8 a.m., buses arrived to transport the Soldiers to 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment. As they disembarked, drill sergeants shouted orders to get moving and get to the company area, their home for the next nine weeks.

The trainees have reached red phase of basic combat training.

At this point, the waiting the prospective Soldiers did at 30th AG is cherished compared to the constant shouts of "hurry up," heard from their drill sergeants at basic combat training. Everything they do must be done fast and done to standard, but it is all to "soldierize" the new arrivals and prepare them for their Army careers.

Many of the Soldiers think 'What have I gotten myself into?' said Staff Sgt. Justin Wise, training noncommissioned officer for D Company.

Standing still, personal and Army bags in their arms, they are told to hold their bags above their head. Most have heard the stories, and they know their sole purpose is to obey the drill sergeants, so they hold their bags high above their heads grunting from the effort.

Capt. Shinwon Moon, company commander, said that for most of the Soldiers, this is their first experience with basic training other than what they have seen in movies, and many experience culture shock.

A Soldier is a Soldier, the newest arrivals at D Co., 2nd Bn., 47th Inf. Regt., learned from 1st Sgt. Jeremie Dick shortly after their arrival.

"The color of your skin does not matter, do you understand?" Dick said, receiving a "Roger, first sergeant," response in unison from the Soldiers.

Dressed in Army Combat Uniforms, combat boots and eyepro with ID tag around their necks, the basic trainees are taught they are no different than the man standing next to, behind or in front of them. Everyone at basic combat training is a Soldier who has shown up to be trained.

"You are all Soldiers, and you will become Soldiers," Moon said.

From the beginning, Soldiers are taught respect, and in return, despite the tough love, the drill sergeants respect the Soldiers.

"They need to figure out real quick that the Soldiers to their left and right are going to be their Family members, their brothers," Moon said. "And, their drill sergeants ... will treat them with the utmost respect and take care of them, essentially, kind of like older brothers."

Through the discipline and leadership, the Soldiers bond together, no longer as civilians with a common career path, but as one force.