1. Your name (as you would like it to appear on the website): Jessenia Diaz
2. Where did your soldier attend basic training? Fort Jackson, South Carolina
3. When did he attend basic training? November 18th 2009 – February 19th 2010
4. How often did you hear from him? (Phone and letters) I usually received a letter every two to three days. If I was lucky and the mail cooperated with me I received one every day. Phone calls were very seldom his platoon were always getting in trouble so their phone call privileges were taken away a lot or their Drill Sergeant would promise them a phone call and then wouldn’t give it to them.
5. How long was it before you heard from him the first time? His first week which is in processing I heard from him everyday. Once he moved into the bays I heard from him every once in awhile. About every two to three weeks.
6. How long did it take to receive a mailing address for him? He informed me of his mailing address as soon as he knew, which was his first week he was there.
7. Were there any restrictions on what you could send him? No food, candy, magazines, inappropriate photos, etc.
8. Were you sent information about family day and graduation? Yes is actually came about 3 weeks before his graduation, but I checked the website for the graduation date. I actually was the one who told my husband when it was. 🙂
9. Did he have a family day? If so, please describe. Yes he was given a family day, which was only an on post pass. We were fortunate that his uncle was able to get a room on base. We were able to just relax and spend time with him. We ordered pizza and watched movies. It was great! It was so much better then being out with the crowd everywhere you went was very CONGESTED.
10. Please describe the graduation ceremony. The graduation ceremony was a very typical military graduation. They paraded and marched around the field, those who excelled in areas were recognized, and at the end the soldiers walked across the front of the field and were saluted by their commander. It lasted for about an hour and after that we were to meet with our solider at the far right of the field and he was free to go for an off post pass. We went off post for about half the day and then came back to his uncle’s room on base to relax and spend some more time with him. It was so much more efficient to already be on base when it was time for him to report to formation. I could just imagine the line at the gate trying to get in.
11. Is there a website for his basic training unit? Is there a place to see pictures of his training online? There is but for my husband’s particular unit they never updated the pictures or videos. The website is: http://www.jackson.army.mil/!2009_pages/iet_families/index.html
12. Any other tips or information?
· If you can try a book a room on base
· Do not wear heels not a good idea when you’re trying to run to your man on a grass/dirt field, you will just sink.
· Wear wedges or tennis
· Don’t worry about trying to visit all the different attractions on base your there to spend as much time with your soldier being with the crowd will only frustrate you.
· But definitely go to the PX and buy some cute Proud Army Wife stuff to wear when you go back home
· Do not stress this time will fly by and by time you know it you will be into his AIT Training, and then moving to your new duty station
· Write him everyday! Let him know how your day was how much you miss and love him. Send lots and lots of pictures they like to show them off
· Engulf yourself around God, family, friends, work, or a hobby to have help the time you are apart go by faster
· Last but not least know he isn’t doing this for himself, he is doing this for the future you will be able to have with each other, support him and always encourage him because he will go through an array of emotions while he is there, but once it’s done and over with you both will be able to communicate more often and see each other too.
You are an Army Wife because God chose you to stand next to that man and support him. He knows how strong you can be to get through those tough times of separation and at the end of the day you are your husband’s hero because you chose to walk with him through this journey.
Thanks. My fiancee is there right now. Do you have to be family to get a room on base? And how soon should I look into that?
You would need to check with the post lodging. They all have different rules about if the sponsor has to be present (especially for graduation). Typically, they accept reservations about 30 days out but again this can vary by each post.
Okay. Thank you. I will look into that.
Thanks alot.. My fiance’ is in basic right now. He left on July 19, 2010. This helped alot.
I am glad that my entry was able to help other Army Wives out there. While my husband was in Basic reading all the different entries helped me out and provided so many ideas and information.
An update on us: We were stationed at Fort Campbell, KY such a beautiful place and totally different from the Chicagoland Area. My husband is currently on his first deployment in Afghanistan. He just left August 13, 2010. This website again has helped me so far with coping with the seperation again.
Thank you so much for your post, Jessenia. It has really helped me! If you don’t mind me asking, do you know how much the on base room was? Was it a standard room or suite? Did it have a full size kitchen? Just wondering what to expect.
Thanks!
Michelle
Thank you so much for your review. My husband left for Ft. Jackson today, and I’ve been having a really hard time. I found your review very helpful.
Thank You! This really helps, and I entirely agree on the part where you said God chose me to stand by my man through this. I never would have thought that me and my husband would EVER become apart of this military, but i’m proud of him, and God is really using us! Thanks again! <3
BTW, my husband JUST left april 4th.
Your article really inspired me. I got a little teary eyed but hes worth it. How do go about gettin a room on the base?? And if you did how quick did u move with your husband after bct?? Thanx again n God Bless!!!!!!
Thank you Joi! I am so grateful that my post is STILL helping and inspiring New Army Wives. As far as getting a room on post it’s kind of tricky you have to call Fort Jackson Lodging and they will let you know the timeframe to call and hopefully there are rooms available. It is a first come first serve basis BUT if an incoming soldier with orders arrives and need a lace to stay until they are checked into their unit then they are priority. My husband and I did not move back in together until he completed AIT and he received orders for his first duty station. I was able to visit my husband during AIT 3 times including his graduation. God Bless you and truthfully speaking Basic is the hardest thing you will go through next to deployments (which we have successfully completed one).
im going to fort jackson soon and i was told to book a room on the base and i have no idea where to find a room or anything. i need help.
My son Zackary Geddings left June 18. We heard from him the first week but no more. We were told we could go fb and see pic of his training. I’m not able to find anything out. I’m missing him so much. Zack did tells us graduation is August 30 ant help plz would help