Suzanne,

I echoed your sentiments about this being a positive experience; not only for me but for my two sons. I believe that life is a choice and we can see the glass half-empty or half-full. I have chosen to become very active in the Blue Star Mothers and they're such a wonderful support group for me. I hope that others Moms find them to be a support for them, too.

I have always told my children (I have 4 and 2 of them are in the Army) that "My job as a Mom is to give you roots and give you wings!!" Having this philosophy and allowing my children to "leave the nest" with that kind of spirit has made our bond even stronger. Thanks for the positive response....love it!!!

Zac's Mom,

If you read my post on 12 Jan, you will get more information on "Pick-up" day and the things that your soldier son will go through while at Benning. From some of the other posts that I have seen here's my suggestion:

Join the Blue Star Mothers because they can be a great support for you and you can help a wide range of soldiers, seamen, sailors, and airmen.

In terms of sending them food, don't!! Both of my sons have told me some stories about what happens to food or snacks that are sent. Just send him letters and well wishes. Just so you know, they typically do about 20 pushups for each letter that they receive. Before you drop you jaw and get upset -- look at it from a positive perspective. The Drill Sgt does this because they want to send the following message: There are people supporting this soldier so the Drill Sgt wants to make sure that that soldier works extra hard so that his loved ones that are sending them cards are PROUD that they're getting stronger and doing more in order to graduate. My son did 140 pushups the other day and said it made him sooooooooo proud that he did the most pushups that day because he had 7 letters and most people got only 1-2. Remember, pushups and doing stuff is not always a punishment - it's a means to make them stronger!!

All of the advice you're getting on in terms of "letting go" is true. The best thing that you can do for your son is just support him and allow him to flap his wings because he's living and choosing his own direction. Letting go doesn't mean that you will love them less....but that they will appreciate you more if you trust that they can do it on their own.

In terms of being concerned about the yelling and the things that they have to do in BCT, TRUST ME when I say that this will prepare him for his deployment. My oldest son deployed to Iraq only 3 weeks after graduating from Benning and the training he got SAVED HIS LIFE!!! I'm not just saying that - I mean that!!!! The Drill Sgts are TOUGH but they want your son to succeed just as much as you do!!

Sorry if this post is a little bit of "tough love" but it's done in the same spirit as what the Drill Sgt is doing to your son -- making your son into a tough Army soldier and we'll help make you a tough Army Mom!!

Kelley

For those of you with a loved one in the 192nd, here's their website: https://www.benning.army.mil/192d/content/bn/2-47/index.htm

Kelley

19990419,

My husband left on the 22nd as well. What company is your husband in mine is in B.Co with Zac. I talked to my husband yesterday and he said he knows Zac, and was going to tell him that I talked to you Zacsproudmom.

quote:

Originally posted by bellasmama0531:
My boyfriend joined the army and left on 1/14 for BCT. He was in reception for a week and began on 1/23. Does anyone know when graduation will be? He's in F Co 2-58th IN ITB, anyone in a similar unit? I really need a family of people to help me through this. I'm having a problem coping with this all. I miss him so much and I worry about him constantly. I get a letter every day since he left, sometimes two letters a day. This event is killing me internally. I need a support-line and there isn't a support group that can handle this type of thing.

Julie

Hi Julie my boyfriend is also F Co 2-58th and started the same day as yours! They are doing OSUT so their graduation is May 1st, family day April 30. They have a 36 hr leave March 26. you might know this by now, but just in case! also yes, you can get him off base even though you arent family

quote:

Originally posted by bellasmama0531:
My boyfriend joined the army and left on 1/14 for BCT. He was in reception for a week and began on 1/23. Does anyone know when graduation will be? He's in F Co 2-58th IN ITB, anyone in a similar unit? I really need a family of people to help me through this. I'm having a problem coping with this all. I miss him so much and I worry about him constantly. I get a letter every day since he left, sometimes two letters a day. This event is killing me internally. I need a support-line and there isn't a support group that can handle this type of thing.

Julie

Julie,

I know exactly how you feel. My boyfriend left for BCT on January 7th and it has been difficult ever since. Some days are good and others aren't so good. I look forward to phone calls that he gets on the weekends and the letters; they help when I miss him the most. So don't feel like you're alone, there are others that share this experience with you. My advice to you is to write as often as you can and remember that this is bigger than you and I and that what he is doing makes him an extraordinary and courageous man. I hope that this helps. Good luck!

Also if you find out any information about family day and graduation, would you please let me know as I have the same concerns. You can email me at keiva528@yahoo.com.

Nikki

quote:

19626684
Basic Training

Posted Mon 16 February 2009 08:05 AM Hide Post
19990419,

My husband left on the 22nd as well. What company is your husband in mine is in B.Co with Zac. I talked to my husband yesterday and he said he knows Zac, and was going to tell him that I talked to you Zacsproudmom.

Hi all, I am an Army Reserves soldier and my 'boi' is currently in BCT with B.Co. as well. I am going to ask him if he knows a Zac when he calls this weekend. I am scheduled to fly into Alabama the day before family day and was wondering if any of you ladies might want to join me for a spa day, i am not sure where or how much yet as i am a poor college student but i am looking for affordable. If you want to talk to me you can email me at allurethepsyche@gmail.com and we can get together. I am renting a car and staying on base.

Love to hear from you all,
~Azi J
(Azari-Jasmine)

I would like to meet up for a spa day, but my husband is not having it. He ships off to AIT as soon as graduation is over and wants to spend as much time as me as possible. Oh and the last time I talked to him he said he was standing right by Zac who was waiting to use the phone! Azi J what is your soldiers name? I'll ask my husband about him as well.

skegeesmb formerly:19626684

Does anyone know what time family day starts for 4-1-09? My son is in B Company 2nd bn 47th inf 192 bde.

Family Day starts at 9:00.

His name is Ralph Wommack.

I am going to the spa the day before family day. Though I have been told(not sure if it's true) but if they are 'good' they will be alloweed to do things like go to the shoppette the day before family day if their cleaning is done and stuff. So I am hoping to get a glimpse of my boi or even see if one of my DS friends will be able to take me down there to see him.

~Azi J

P.S. I spoke to the DS yesterday and he told me they are heading out to FTX 3 today and will be gone for 4-5 days; so they will most likely not get phone calls this weekend. They received their class A's two days ago, they are gearing up for graduation . I am so Excited squeeeeee!!!

Hi everyone,

does anyone know if they are allowed to take wifes to AIT? my sons is 20 weeks long and he seems to think that if he marrys his girlfriend on family day that she will be allowed to go with him. my husband and i would rather they wait. any suggestions? from my understanding is that no she cannot go unless it was a longer time.
concerned mom

20 weeks is actually the minimum for taking family to AIT. Though there are pros and cons to waiting vs doing it in a hurry... However, as I stated above family is authorized when the AIT is 20 weeks or longer.

~Azi J

Azi thanks for the info. So far we have put a stop to it. His local RSP DS informed us that it would be alot of paper work etc, he was kind enough to explain it to the girlfriend. aka new daughter in law in 20 weeks instead of 2.

are you going to be at graduation? we arrive on the 31st

20 pushups per letter? my son recieved 12 one day and the sgt didnt know his name until than. haha. he has dropped about 25 pounds since arriving. we are hoping that they can leave the base on family day, i guess it just depends on how they have behaved etc.

So far they have not messed up to the point family day is revoked. After the ceremony/briefing thing they are allowed to be signed out until 8:45pm. I know I signed a few of my friends friends off post so they weren't stuck doing nothing on post all day when I went before.

Thankfully my Boi has gained weight since being there. He was tiny, I love him the way he was but a little more to love is never a problem; he only made weight to join by 1lb. That is one pound over the minimum for his height.

It really isn't a lot of paperwork, it's like four pages, but then the paperwork to move is like 12 pages or so(varies by location). There really isn't much benefit for the gf of living there during AIT. It gets him out of retarded duties and allows him a bit more free time MAYBE depending on the AIT. He needs to focus his energy on passing AIT as opposed to entertaining a wife... Mind you I am moving to NC for about a month between semesters because I am set to deploy very shortly after he gets back from AIT and every moment together before that is greatly appreciated.

I am also arriving on the 31st, I am early in the morning to Birmingham so I have a long drive after my long flight. I am really hoping to see him that night. I miss him and love him so much...

we fly into atlanta we are staying at a bed and breakfast about 60 miles from there. I didnt relize that you could maybe see them sooner, or I would have booked the hotel in Columbus for the three nights. We didnt relize either that you could stay on base, it was to late by the time we did. But there is four of us coming in. Where are you being deployed too? Good luck to you. Maybe we will see you there.

i've heard that the soliders get their face punched by the ds this friday. whats with that?

They don't get their face punched by the DS, they are doing combatives. Most end up with black eyes and such for graduation. . Unfortunately the pay got messed up for my boi I most likely will not get to attend his graduation. He hasn't gotten paid since he arrives and no one listened to him until last week and he won't get paid in time...

That's to bad that they messed up on the pay, and took this long to fix it. My son told his sister that they were getting punched in the face. I think he did it to make her happy that, he is getting hit. Good luck to you and your boi and God bless you.