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Basic Training
1. Your name (as you would like it to appear on the
website):
Caitlyn James
2. Where did your soldier attend basic training?
Ft. Sill, OK
1-19th Field Artillery
3. When did he attend basic training?
January 14, 2008-April 4, 2008
4. How often did you hear from him? (Phone and
letters)
For the first two weeks I didn't receive any letters.
After he was there for about two weeks, I received a letter almost everyday.
I live in NC so it took about 4 days for the mail to reach us. After the 4th
week I got a phone call every weekend, usually on a Sunday. Phone calls on
Sunday were at least an hour long. He received a on-post pass every Sunday
for 4-6 hours.
5. How long was it before you heard from him the first
time?
I got a phone call two days after he left, then I got
another 10 days later.
6. How long did it take to receive a mailing address
for him?
He called 12 days after he left to give me his mailing
address. The phone call was only for 3 minutes.
7. Were there any restrictions on what you could send
him?
I could send him pictures and packages as long as
there was nothing 'pornographic'. They never checked pictures, but they
always checked packages. They weren't allowed any candy, but cough drops
were fine. I sent him deodorant, phone cards, and cough drops.
8. Were you sent information about family day and
graduation?
I received an e-mail from his Sgt. every week with
updated information on what the soldiers had done and some pictures. Usually
it was about 10 pictures. I was sent family day and graduation information
through mail and e-mail. They also sent a pass that you needed to get on
base for family day, graduation, and if he got a pass.
9. Did he have a family day? If so, please describe.
Yes, we were told to be there around 9:45 am. At 10:00
we went to some rooms they had set up for everyone and watched a few videos
on what our soldiers had done throughout their basic training. Then the
Battalion Commander and the Sgts spoke to us for a few minutes. They then
told us to go out behind the barracks to watch a skit they had prepared for
us. After the skit we went to an awards ceremony. They offered food at $11 a
person. After that they were released until 9:00pm.
10. Please describe the graduation ceremony.
Graduation started at 10:00am at the Sheridan
Theater. The ceremony lasted until 12:00pm. We were allowed to take as many
pictures and we liked and we could go up to the stage to take pictures as
well. After the ceremony we went back to the barracks to wait for our
soldiers to be dismissed until 9:00pm.
11. Is there a website for his basic training unit? Is
there a place to see pictures of his training online?
http://sill-www.army.mil/ I received e-mails weekly with photos of their
training.
12. Any other tips or information?
It's better if you know how to get to his barracks
from any gate. If you only know how to get there from one gate, the gate may
close at 8:00pm so you'll have to take your soldier on base an hour early.
It does make a difference what command he is under. It may differ from
1-19th FA and he may have a different family day and graduation.
Thank you! :) **************************************** We are currently seeking writers to contribute about their soldier's experience during basic training. Since training, contact and the overall atmosphere can vary greatly from one basic training post to the next, I thought this would be helpful. If you would like to contribute your experience to help other Army family members, please email me this completed questionnaire. Thank you for your help!
Before He Leaves...What You Need To Know & Do As An Army Wife Use this checklist as a general guide before he leaves for basic training.
If your soldier's basic training and AIT includes Christmas, you'll want to learn all about Christmas Exodus. Hint: You'll get to see him again!
Writing Letters During Basic and AIT Learn all about your main form of communication with your Army soldier while he is training.
What You Can and Cannot Send Your Soldier During Training Find out what is permissible to send your Army soldier while he is in training and find out what will get him in trouble.
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