Can someone tell me what a roster number is?

Just got my son's address from BCT so I can write him but not sure what this is.
(Rank, name, roster number)

Thanks,
Debbie

the roster number identifies your son by his number say his name is private john jones you address it as
Roster # 1234 Private John Jones (whatever his roster # is

Debbie, don't feel badly. I received the letter from my son's commander, too, and although the letter says to include my son's roster number when writing, it wasn't included anywhere on the letter! So, I've been sending in my letters without the roster number and crossing my fingers that they will make their way to Jameson eventually. Hopefully, I'll hear from him soon and I'll get his roster number. I know of no other way to get it other then directly from him.

FYI for anyone else who has this problem in the future. Write your son (or daughter) a letter and mail it without the roster number - it will make its way to him/her eventually. In your letter, be sure to ask him/her what their roster number is. That way, when you get either a phone call or a letter from him/her, they'll know to include their roster number.

I sent a letter to my son w/out his roster number and it did make it to him and then the next time he called me, he had the number ready to give to me. So, be patient - you'll eventually get it sooner or later. And, don't fret, they will still get your letter if it doesn't include the roster number.