Your Name (as you would like it to appear):

 

Dana L.

 

Your Soldier's MOS (please include code and description, for example "11B Infantry")

 

21E, Heavy Equipment Operator

 

When did your soldier attend?

 

October 25, 2007 - January 10, 2008

 

Where was he stationed for AIT?

 

Ft. Leonard Wood, MO

 

How long was his AIT?

 

His AIT is 9 weeks, but with Thanksgiving, Exodus, and being rolled a week, it lasted longer.

 

What was his training like? Normal schedule? Did he train on weekends? Late at night? Classroom or field based?

 

He trained during the day only, but was in formation alot at night.  He did get personal time every night.  He never trained on a weekend.  All of his training was in the field except the first 3 days.

 

Did you get to see him during AIT?

 

He did get passes on the weekends often, I live close so, I drove down every weekend but 2.  Their passes depend on alot of different  circumstances, so he might get a 3 hour pass or sometimes he would be able to stay with us overnight.

 

How often were you able to communicate with him? By phone? Email?

 

He was not allowed a computer, but did get to talk to me every night by phone, but sometimes only 5 or 10 minutes.

 

Describe the graduation ceremony.

 

They do not have a ceremony for the family.  It is a small one just for the soldiers who graduate.

 

Any other tips or information?

 

After AIT, the soldiers have to go to a training called bfit, which is one more week. It is also at Ft. Leonard Wood.