1. Your name (as you would like it to appear on the website): Jessica L.

2. Where did your soldier attend basic training? Ft. Benning, GA

3. When did he attend basic training? He left 1/23, graduated 5/9

4. How often did you hear from him? (Phone and letters) Phone, I think I got 4 or 5 calls the entire time. Letters I got more frequently, about every other day or so.

5. How long was it before you heard from him the first time? He left the 23, and then I got a message from him on the 1^st of Feb saying that he would be mailing letters on that Sunday and that he started basic that Friday. It took 3-4 days for his letters to get to me and vice versa.

6. How long did it take to receive a mailing address for him? About 2 weeks

7. Were there any restrictions on what you could send him? Letters and non-pornographic pictures only

8. Were you sent information about family day and graduation? No, I found it on their website

9. Did he have a family day? If so, please describe.  Yes, but I was unable to attend. L

10. Please describe the graduation ceremony. I missed the demonstration, but it was a pretty typical  graduation. A guest speaker, they recited the soldier’s creed, and then sang the infantry song and the army song. We were give a few minutes to talk and take pictures, and then he had to go sign out.

11. Is there a website for his basic training unit? Is there a place to see pictures of his training online? Yes, and yes. www.charlierock150.com, www.soldierschapel.info

12. Any other tips or information? Stay busy, and don’t expect anything. Don’t expect him to call you on a certain date, because chances are he won’t be able to.  Never stop sending letters, it is what will get him through the day. Be patient, and understanding if he isn’t exactly talkative for awhile. Most importantly, stay busy. It’s what made this easier to bare for me.