We got a letter!

We got our first letter from our 17yo dd who left exactly a week ago for Army basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri. She was still at reception on 12 June and thinks she will be placed in a basic training unit either today or tomorrow.

Good news is she feels very prepared for what she has had to do so far. She was selected to train for the Warrior Challenge here in our state which took place about 6 weeks ago, so she said she already has a lot of the stuff memorized that others are having to learn for the first time. She said she is "ahead of the game" there. She said she has learned more about her fellow trainees from her unit/our state, and is "making friends".

First day, she arrived at reception around 11:00 pm. At that time, they had to fill out a lot of paperwork, got some clothing, and then had dinner. She says she doesn't know at what hour they finally made it to the barracks (I guess they call it a "bay" at reception). Since others were already there and sleeping, those arriving late had to put their things away in the dark, which she said was a challenge.

Wake-up was at 0500 the next day and the day after that (the day she wrote). She said they got uniforms,and she had her blood drawn three times, got immunizations, had a "whole lot of briefings", and went to the PX "AKA the store".

She then said it is amazing how many trainees are there! It took almost two hours to get everyone through the PX, and she is definately glad she has patience. then she went on to gripe about the "idiots here who don't know when to freaking shut up"...LOL! According to her, the "guys" are the worst..."They always end up getting our whole Company chewed out (AKA in trouble) by the DS's.

Her first night (after the first night late arrival...2nd night probably) she was put on "fire guard" (AKA night watch) for one hour in the middle of the night. She said this was to "watch and make sure no one kills themselves". That is not something my dd would say, so that must have been what they told her her job was. Anyway, she said the one hour of watch went fast (and went on to add that no one killed themselves).

The next day, she said was very long. They straightened out their financial stuff, which she said took forever because "there are so many warriors and so few staff". They received more briefings, "waited in lines for 'crap', then we waited in line some more, and then, guess what?! WE WAITED! Oh my gosh, so much waiting, LOL!"

Then, they went back to their bay and had to move all their heavy stuff out of their wall lockers to make room for some new recruits coming in that night. DD said she would be on fire watch again that night, and she hoped they didn't show up during that hour because then she would have to "deal with all of them and get them bunks and lockers, and that would be slightly stressful; bit I can deal (with it)".

In conclusion, my DD said "I'm alive, I'm well (so far), I'm kinda sore (my feet), and Mom, you don't need to send me any stamps or envelopes because I bought some. I hope you are doing well. I'll write you as soon as I can. Love you MUCH!"

Then she added a PS that her roommate from MEPS went to basic in Texas and she would be sending me a postcard or letter with her address and would I please send it to her so they could stay in touch.

quote:

She said this was to "watch and make sure no one kills themselves". That is not something my dd would say, so that must have been what they told her her job was. Anyway, she said the one hour of watch went fast (and went on to add that no one killed themselves).

Fire-Watch can be many things . . . mostly just to begin to orient a soldier
to duty at odd hours . . . in my day fire-watch meant keeping the furnace
going with wood or coal

With a few minor changes this could have been my
BCT reception forty-six years ago . . . nice to know
some things haven't changed much

Reception is endless paperwork, little sleep, and hurry-up and wait

Thanks for posting because it gives other recruits an idea of what they may expect. I understand other variables apply which doesn't make each experience the same, but still. Thanks again and best wishes.

She sounds like a real hard-charger! Congrats on raising a great daughter/soldier/American!

Matt
SPC, US Army
15U

TRok...that's exactly why I posted it...so hard to find info about what is going on. I hope it will ease the minds of both future trainees and their families. I crave information...it makes me feel better.

Thanks for the congrats Matt. We're still working on raising her (she's still in high school), plus two boys who are also interested in military service. Don't know what we did, but it seems to be working so far :-).

Funny thing; today we got the standard pre-printed post card stating that she had arrived safely, do not write to that address, how to contact her in an emergency (via the Red Cross),and that we would receive her mailing address and graduation date within the next week. It says Dear___________ (fill in the blank) and has a line at the bottom where she signed her name. Funny that this postcard, received today, was postmarked a day before the letter we got yesterday...LOL!

Anyhow...I will post any other tidbits of useful info as they arrive. And, by the way, thank YOU all for your service (or future service).

Kayla's mom

quote:

Originally posted by mommy3k:
TRok...that's exactly why I posted it...so hard to find info about what is going on. I hope it will ease the minds of both future trainees and their families. I crave information...it makes me feel better.

Thanks for the congrats Matt. We're still working on raising her (she's still in high school), plus two boys who are also interested in military service. Don't know what we did, but it seems to be working so far :-).

Funny thing; today we got the standard pre-printed post card stating that she had arrived safely, do not write to that address, how to contact her in an emergency (via the Red Cross),and that we would receive her mailing address and graduation date within the next week. It says Dear___________ (fill in the blank) and has a line at the bottom where she signed her name. Funny that this postcard, received today, was postmarked a day before the letter we got yesterday...LOL!

Anyhow...I will post any other tidbits of useful info as they arrive. And, by the way, thank YOU all for your service (or future service).

Kayla's mom

LOL! I remember those postcards! So impersonal, yet so "Army!" You'll get a letter like that regarding graduation in a few weeks.

Regarding the postmark: yeah sometimes those letters sit on someone's desk for a couple days till they can get them to the postal center, and the Army postal system can be slow sometimes.

What is your daughter's MOS? Where is she going to AIT?

Matt
SPC, US Army
15U

Hey Matt in another post she said her daughter right now is at Ft Leonard Wood for BCT, then when she graduates she goes back to high school for her senior year then back to Leonard Wood to AIT to be an MP. Thanks for keeping us updated mommy3k and tell her good luck we know she can do this. You have raised a great daughter and should be really proud of her for wanting to serve her country. You also said you have 2 boys wanting to serve as well, you have dont a great job of raising your kids and know that they will do a great job if and when the boys join. Do keep us up to date on her progress.

Thanks for asking Matt. Bobert is right. She will be finishing school this year and will go back to Ft. Leonard Wood next summer for AIT for MOS 31B (I think I'm getting the hang of the jargon a bit!).

I get it about the mail being slow...I work for a state govt contractor...snail mail seems to have no set schedule at all in government!

Thanks for the comps BobertM. I just wish everyone around us would stop feeling sorry for us because our kid joined the ArNG. People act like it is something to be sad about, but we are so proud of her we could just burst

"But, aren't you afraid she'll have to go to Iraq?" Ummm...yeah, I'm her mom and I would worry every minute. But, we went into this knowing there is a high probability of that happening. What is the point of joining the military if you don't want to do the job? I just don't get people sometimes.

Sorry to whine about it, but I'm feeling less than supported by some family members and friends at a time when I need them to be on the same page, so to speak. So glad to have this forum to make up for it!

Kayla's mom

quote:

Sorry to whine about it, but I'm feeling less than supported by some family members and friends at a time when I need them to be on the same page, so to speak. So glad to have this forum to make up for it!

hey Mommy3k mom for short you know we will back you 110% you know that . It sounds to me the family is scared of what may happen, but we know the risks when we sign and we do it anyways because of pride to serve this country. Dont worry mom we will back you and support you. If you have a problem you know we are here to help ya.

Update...

DD called again last night...again, I was not there as I am out of town on business! So bummed! Her dad said she is still in reception, which is kind of worrisome because school starts Aug 25 or something like that. She said she is still having fun, but hates all the waiting around.

Get this...she said they are letting recruits use cell phones! Her phone card ran out and she was able to borrow a cell to make the call. I thought no cell phones were allowed? She didn't even bring hers. Maybe they take them away once you get out of reception?

Great information and fun read. As for how do we get to the point we've raised responsible young people. A lot of hard work, love, with just a pinch of good old fashioned luck!

Sounds like Kayla's enjoying the summer.

Thanks Bobert...I know I have support here

Klassylady, thanks for your input. Yes, a lot of love, hard work, luck, who knows? We're just blessed to have these kids and know they will (probably) always (try to) do the right thing.

About the phone cards...I just read the fine print on the one I have here waiting to send her. It says "A surcharge not to exceed 37 minutes applies to US pay phone calls."
So, basically, the 75 minute AT&T card I bought at Wally world could be used up in two short calls!!! What do I know about phone cards?! Pretty much nothing, I guess.

Lesson learned

Time to check the discussion boards for info on phone cards!

Kayla's mom

In other news...

I was cleaning house this weekend and found a copy of my daughter's orders.

Guess what? It lists the day she would start actual BMT and the date she will graduate!!!

Of course, those papers are difficult to read and those of us who have no military experience would never "get it".

So, my dd was to go to BMT on 6/20 which is what she said on the phone when she called 6/19. Wish we would have figured that out beforehand!

Well glad to hear to she is now with her unit for BCT. Im glad you all found her orders and you will get better at reading them and figuring out the way of the Army. If you need help just let us know

So good to hear that someone is finally getting mail from the recruits. My son is 17 years old, still in high school and also going into the MP program. He left two weeks ago on Tuesday. We received the post card from him saying he got there but have not received the letter with his address to write him. He asked that I send a couple books of stamps which I have purchased but don't know where to send to yet. I have talked to him twice since he has been gone and look forward to hearing from him again. Hopefully I'll hear something soon. He did say basically the same types of things regarding the sitting and waiting. Said he had about 6 immunizations shots. He was sent to basic training a week ago today. Hope all these young kids are doing well. I'm sure proud of them.

No news yet since Kayla got to Basic on Friday. I suppose they have little time those first couple weeks. Was hoping for a call on Sunday, but since her phone card ran out the week before (send LOTS of minutes), she probably had no way to call even if they got phone priveleges.

Wish I had her address to send her more phone minutes! I can't stand the waiting and not knowing what's going on!

I did find this information on the Ft. LW website about reception.
http://www.wood.army.mil/43d/informat.htm

Kayla's mom

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mommy3k,

My son has been there two weeks and I have talked to him twice. The first call I got was the Saturday after he got there and then again on Tuesday he was able to call. It has now been a week since I have heard from him. I did not give him a phone card so I'm not sure how he called, but he did say it is a cost to him.

I received my card that he made it there just last Friday and I got a letter yesterday that stated his address (no graduation date though). I was able to send him his first letter today along with 2 books of stamps. I was in the same situation this weekend - hoping for a call that never came. I sure hope these kids are doing well. I hope you get the address soon so you can right her.

Thanks for the info Mimis...

I think I should get the letter with the address soon (hopefully tomorrow). My two boys are getting tired of me calling every day from work to have them check the mail...LOL!

I just wish I could start writing her in "real time". I have 5 letters ready to go that seem so outdated to me. But, maybe they won't seem so outdated to her.

If you look at the Ft Leonard Wood site that you have listed you will find the graduation information. Based on my son's information I believe he will be graduation on 8/22/08. When your daughter sends her address take a look at it - it will say something like "E-888-1" then go look that number up on the graduation site. It will have a (BT) next to it - I'm guess for basic training. The site says TBD probably to give them a little room in case they need to go over.

I was also concerned about sending any packages as everyone I talked to said that the package would be taken away. This evening a friend who has a son that just left Ft. Leonard Wood said that they are able to receive small care packages - if the packages contain food then they have to eat it before going back to the barricks as they are not allowed to have it in the barricks. He said generally the food items were shared within the group and the soldiers sure do enjoy them. I was happy to hear that and may try to send something. My big fear was sending something and my son being excited to get something only to have it taken away. I didn't want to do that to him. Guess we will have to live and learn.

Mims...I think our kids graduate the same day!
I saw that site about the grad date and TBD. I just did the math and I'm pretty sure KK will graduate around 8/22 (plus that's what her orders say).

I know what you're saying about the care packages. I would want to send good stuff, but nothing she would get in trouble for.

Keep me posted if you hear anything about your son and I will let you know if I hear anything about my Kayla.

KK's mom