Hi, just wondered if anyone out there has a son who just arrived to Ft. Benning? My son was in the Army Preparatory school at Ft. Jackson and arrived for BCT at Ft. Benning on Thursday September 11th. He has called twice now, says they are in reception with 220 guys. I was wondering how long are they usually in reception? I know it can be up to two weeks, my son sounded good, but some guy in there told my son he had been in reception for a month now. I didn't think that sounded right. Well hope to hear from others out there.

Hi,

My name is Debbie and my son is at Ft. Benning now. He arrived there on 8/24 and didn't started basics until 9/4. From what I've read and heard from others, it's taking one to two weeks to get them through processing right now. Ugh!

What is the start time for basics on your son's enlistment papers?

Welcome to this sight.

Debbie

Hi Debbie, I am Andrea.

My son's situation is a bit different as far as the orders go and the dates listed. My son went to Ft. Jackson for the Army Prep school to get his GED. On the orders it had him there for 3 weeks and 4 days, but he was actually there 5 weeks. They didn't get started on time, because it's a new pilot program. So he did his classes and passed his GED test, and shipped out to Ft. Benning on 9/11 by bus. He arrived there that night. He has called twice since then, but just brief talks each time. On the Ft. Benning website, it says they will start on 9/18, so hopefully everything will go smoothly. He already had his shots, dental visit, medical and ear/vision test done at Ft. Jackson, but I am sure he will have to wait for the brand new guys coming to get theirs done. He is ready to get started, so we can countdown the days till his graduation. He is in the Signal Corp. so after his 10 weeks at Ft. Benning, he will go to Ft. Gordon for 15 weeks. He is supposed to get leave around Christmas though. We shall see. Nice meeting you, and how is your son doing? Does he talk about his experiences a lot? I have a nephew also in Ft. Benning, think he is in his 5th week of BCT. He is also Signal Corp.

Hi Andrea,

Yes, Kyle has talked alot about his days there so far in his many letters I shared with a few other mom's on a different thread some of the things he has said regarding BCT. Were you able to read those?

Kyle thinks he will have a few weeks off at Christmas, too. He will be at Ft. Sam Houston in December for AIT (medic).

Does your nephew say much about BCT?

Debbie

Good for Kyle. I will graduate this December as a Registered Nurse, and being a medic will be a very rewarding job for him, I hope.
I am proud of all our young men and women who chose this life. They gave up some freedom, to serve their country. It makes me proud.

Nephew told his mom that he is liking his training so far, except the gas chamber...he said that was worse than he expected, but everyone made it through just fine. My son called and he said reception is pretty boring, and he is ready to get started with his training. Of course he said it could have been the weekend, that made it so boring, as they just sat around. I told him to hang in there, it is temporary, then things will get busy again and the days will go by faster. He is used to being "smoked" and wearing his uniform, from being at Ft. Jackson for 5 weeks.
I hope he gets to start training soon.

I will read the other threads, new to finding my way around these bb's, but learning.
Where do you find the soldier's chapel picture site? I couldn't find that online today.

Thanks for the write back.
Andrea

HI MY SON WHO IS 18 LEFT FOR BASIC AT FORT BENNING FROM KENTUCKY ON THE FORTH OF SEPTEMBER AN SAID HE WILL START BASIC ON THE 18 THIS THURSDAY HE HAS BEEN IN RECEPTION ALL THIS TIME IAM HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME WITH THIS THERE HAS NOT BEEN A DAY THAT I HAVE NOT CRIED

Andrea,

Congrat's on the 'almost' graduation. Good for you! I am proud of Kyle. That field is so rewarding, as you probably already know.

Type in soldierschapel.info and the page should come up. The only bummer is that it has just platoon's that are OSUT and not BCT. I still look at it often just to get an idea of what Kyle is doing. He is BCT, though.

Isn't it funny how we mom's pick up the military lingo. I just looked up on-line what 'squared-away' means. The DS's told my son he is that yay!

Tonya, welcome. And your not alone. I still cry and my son left 8/24 for Benning. I am ALOT better though This website has been a Godsend to me and I think you'll find the same.

Debbie

Hi Tonya,

Hang in there and keep your chin up, your son will be with mine, as my son should start BCT on the 18th as well. He arrived at Benning last week, from Ft. Jackson, said reception is boring.
I had a hard time those first couple of weeks. I still miss my son and think of him very much every day. They need our strength right now, to keep them motivated, and give them support. That is what helped me, get through the hard parts of seperation. When I would talk to my son, I would tell him to keep his spirits up and move forward, do as he is told and everything will be good. I am filled with much pride in my son, and his choice to serve his country. HOOAH!
These bulletin boards also help keep in touch with other parents experiencing similar feelings and understanding, and I think the military spouses go through similar feelings as well, if not more so. Let us know how it's going for your son.