Hoping to get some words of advice. My son left for BCT at Fort Benning Tuesday Jan 20th. I was able to see him sworn in and off he went. His recruiter said that they are encouraged to call home within 24 to 48 hours after they arrive to let paernts know they are there. No word yet. I totally support him in his enlistment he will be a combat medic AIT at Fort Sam Houston after BCT graduation. As much as I support him enlisting, I feel like he fell into a black hole. I have been anxious, sad cry alot can't eat or sleep, just want to hear from him once and know he is ok. How long is it before you hear from them or get an address to be able to write to him. I do not know what company or battalion he is going to be attached to as he didn't leave a copy of his orders and apparently there is no way to get a copy...words of advice??

Hi Prachka! I was a mess when Dan went to BMT (he's air force). These forums helped ALOT. I'm afraid I don't know much about how the Army works with their new trainees. I do know that I heard from Dan 3 days after he got there, he was limited to a 45 second phone call where he sent me a messed up copy of his address, and that was absolutely no fun at all.
So. Be prepared for the first call to not be either long or a good way to really gauge how your son is doing.
It's good that you're talking about this, and you'll find a lot of good people on here who will help you out with this! I'm going to see what I can do to find some info out for you, ok?? Take care, breathe deeply, this is normal right now--let yourself just feel, okay? Hot baths and long walks helped me ALOT too Sending you a hug--Mary Jo

Thank you for the reply. I know talking to other parents that are going through this or have gone through it will help. Other people don't seem to understand how or why I feel what I do. I really appreciate it!!

Thanks,
Patti

quote:

My son left for BCT at Fort Benning

Patti, my son left for BCT at Fort Benning last October. He was not allowed to make a phone call, but he was able to write a letter eleven days later. His start date was pushed back a week, and he was doing a lot of sitting around. The letter did not have a return address, which your son will get once he begins BCT. Don't get over concerned if he gets sick with a fever etc. This is quite common at this stage of the game.

quote:

Originally posted by prackha1:
Other people don't seem to understand how or why I feel what I do. I really appreciate it!!

Thanks,
Patti

No problem!!! I totally get it Just wish I had more info for you!!!! How are you doing today?

ok my son went to basic nov. 7th and I did get a phone call and we talked for a bit. about 5 10 mins.

I'm doing about the same. Work has been busy this week, I guess that helps. I would give anything though for that 45 second phone call to hear his voice.

Thanks to all who have replied. It's nice hearing from others going through this too.

Hey there Patti! Hope you're finding some calm in your day. Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you--Mary Jo

A few moments here and there. Thanks for thinking of me. I just keep praying I'll hear something..anything soon that would really help

Hello prackha1,

My son graduated basic at Ft. Benning in Nov. and is now at Ft. Sam Houston for AIT. He is training to be a combat medic as well. I am proud to say that my son, Kyle, just passed the NREMT-B this week so he is officially an EMT! Also, he was nominated to go before a board to receive a reward on Friday. I am so proud of him.

I will say that when he first left, I was so sad, just as you are. Cried daily. I couldn't even mention his name without the tears flowing.

That does get better in time. Kyle was able to call (a VERY short phone call) 48 hours later. It was on a Sunday. If you are able to transfer your house phone to a cell phone for when you are gone, then I'd encourage you to do that. I missed a phone call from Kyle his second week in training and I literally felt like I'd been punched in the gut when I saw that area code show up on my caller ID. I called and got the call transfer feature added to my phone so that would neveer happen again.

Hopefully you'll get a call tomorrow. Sundays are the days they have the 'most' down time and access to pay phones. Does he have money in his account to buy a calling card?

Anyway, this website was a lifesaver for me while Kyle was in basics. Now in AIT at Ft. Sam they get to use there cell phones in the evenings and weekends so it's a little easier. No, actually, it's alot easier!! However, I have another son who just enlisted and will be leavinf Feb. 12 to Ft. Knox. That will be a sad day

Also, right now your son is in reception so he won't have an address yet. He should get moved 'downrange' soon and then he'll be assigned a company and platoon. Thats when he'll get an address to where you can write. And DO WRITE HIM EVERY DAY. That is so important. BCT is so hard on them mentally and physically. The one bright spot in their day is to hear their name called out for mail call. Once you get his address, give it to everyone to write him.


Hang in there.........

Debbie

Debbie,
Thanks for replying. I did hear from him last night. He said his feet are sore, but he is fine and not to worry about him..that's my Jeff. He said he is still in reception, but should be leaving next Thursday for BCT, which makes sense since graduations are on Thursdays. I will look forward to that day to be able to give him a big hug!! He too is doing AIT at Fort Sam Houston and that is his light at the end of this tunnel. He knows he needs to get through this to get there. We are all waiting for that address, and all family and his wonderful friends are ready to start writing and get him through this. That one phone call is what I needed just to hear his voice and know he is ok..he sounded really tired, but fine.
You should be so proud of your son, and I am of mine. This is a huge step on their part to want to join and serve this country. They are fine young men and we should be proud of ourselves for raising them to be this strong. I am sure your other son will do as well!! Good luck.

My son is a medic too. He did his AIT at Fort Sam. Loved it there. He's in Georgia now.

That's great news!!! So glad you got word! It does make a difference, indeed. I'm able to get texts from my son who's "over there" and it makes a world of difference just getting a quick "Love you, everything's okay here!"

So he is done AIT and stationed in Georgia? We have heard Ft Sam is THE place to train..heard nothing but great things about AIT there.

Hearing from him even briefly has lifted my anxiety I just wanted to hear his voice and that he is hanging in.

He loved San Antonio. He turned 21 while he was there. We're from the NW corner of Montana, and San Antonio was his first taste of Big City life. He survived, but I'm not sure Texas will ever be the same.

Funny, my kids and I lived in the northeast corner of Montana (Sidney and for awhile Fairview) for about 5 years. My son was 4 when we moved there so he kind of thinks that is where he is from, my daughter was 9. We are from Massachusetts and that is were we are now. Montana was a great experience, I made alot of life long friends there.

We're in the NW corner. 4th generation on both sides for my boys. Basic in Missouri was my oldest's first experience living anywhere else (That he can remember. He was born in Germany.) He's 3rd generation Army on his Dad's side too.

I was an Air Force brat, an Army wife, and now I've ended up an Army mom.

Wow that is some history. My dad was in WWII, but I was not born then. This is my 1st experience with all this.