Last Updated on August 9, 2019
1. Your Name (as you would like it to appear)
Vanessa H.
2. Where did your soldier attend basic training?
Fort Leonard Wood
3. When did your soldier attend basic training (please include the year)?
April 26, 2010 – June 08, 2010
4. How often did you hear from him (phone and letters)?
He took his cell phone so he called me the whole way to Missouri and called me right before they let him off the bus. He called again for a minute during processing the next day. Then I didn’t hear from him until 2 weeks later on a sunday for about 10 minutes and then every Sunday or Saturday and the minutes were extended.
5. How long was it before you heard from him the first time?
He called the next day after he left for about a minute and then every Sunday after that. The first time was for 10 minutes and then it kept getting longer every week.
6. How long did it take to receive a mailing address from him?
He mailed me letters at the beginning so i got mail from him the second week but I didn’t get a mailing address until the second or third week.
7. Were there any restrictions on what you could send him?
Basically the same thing they tell everyone. Dont’ send anything unless he asks for it. I just sent him letters everyday and some pictures every now and then. I did send some letters Express mail and it would get to him in 2 to 3 days instead of 5 to 6 days.
8. When did you receive information about family day and graduation?
About week 5 and it said that family day would be the same day as graduation and he would be allowed an off-post pass.
9. Did he have a family day? If so, please describe.
It was after graduation and he did get an off-post pass. We went to go eat and then went back to the hotel. He basically just wanted to sit around and be with his family. He was checked out around 1100 and had to be back by 2100. But he went back about an hour earlier and he said they did some push-ups and stuff because some people came back late, but I didn’t get to see that.
10. Please describe the graduation ceremony.
I really liked the graduation. It was inside and they marched down the street and then marched off the stage. They played the Basic Training Video. They sounded off and then there was a speech about family day. It wasn’t that long only about an hour. Then they marched back to the barricks and we had to sign him out. I liked it, it wasn’t boring at all.
11. Is there a website for his unit? Did you find a place online that has pictures from his basic training?
I haven’t looked yet. But I’m gonna try to find it later so I’m not sure if there are any pictures.
12. Any other tips or information?
The best thing was his AIT training was at Fort Leonard Wood so he had a pass on the weekend. So I got to see him on Friday and Saturday after graduation. That was so nice because others had to leave that morning after graduation for AIT somewhere else. It was the best experience to see my husband in uniform and I’m so happy I went to see his graduation. It was also good for him to have his cell phone because now he calls every night. It seemed like it would be forever when he first left but it did really go by fast. Just be supportive and write to him/her everyday while in Basic it really does help you and him.
My Boyfriend Left 5 days ago to Fort Leonard Wood… His mom and I haven’t heard from him… Not even a phone call to say he had arrived-.- I’m really new at this… So Im
Looking everywhere for answers or any helpful advice:)!
This page has really helped a lot!!
Karilys, it takes about two weeks for you to hear anything at all. Keep your head up and write write write!!!!
My husband leaves in 6 days. This page has put me in tears and helped me a lot. If anyone has any advice on getting around in MO please help. I’m so worried. I’ve never traveled before and we’re from a small farm town. Is graduation normally on a weekend? I have a factory job and they’re not gonna dismiss me for going to see my husband graduate from basic and such. Any extra information would definitely be appreciated, I feel these next couple of months are gonna be the longest months of my life.
My Fiance left to the army on July 15th we spoke the whole day and also the next day. He called me between flights and also called me as soon as he got there. I received a phone call from him the monday after he left which was only a week. He sent me mail that same week. On the second i received another letter with a mail back address and got a phone call of 5 min today sunday. He sounded so different im just hoping he is okey. He told me he would send me more letters.
my husband just left for OSUT on Sept 16, so far I’ve gotten four letters from him while he was in reception, so no return address. I got a call two days ago that literally lasted about five seconds “Hey babe I made it to basic… can’t talk… love you” and that was it. Any idea of when I’ll get a mailing address for him? He sounded pretty sad in his letters that he hadn’t been able to hear from me. It sucks because I’ve been writing to him everyday, and I want to be able to send those letters to him asap.
Hey, I know that this has not been commented on in a long time, but I am hoping that someone will still be able to help me out. My husband left on March 3 for FLW, and called me with that short scripted call when he got to reception on Tuesday night. He then called me last Sunday, with a very short like 2 minute call just to tell me that he had started BCT on Saturday…i then recieved his address on Tuesday. So he has one full week of Red phase completed now, and I was wondering if maybe i might get a phone call tonight? I was wondering if any of you got Sunday phone calls during red phase? thank you
So my boyfriend is most likely going to join the army after high school next year. He wants to join military police but I was wondering does he come home after basic training and AIT? because we plan to get married I’m just trying to figure out when that would be possible.
My boyfriend just left for basic yesterday 07/02/18 and I miss him so much. Does anyone know how long it will be before I get letters or a phone call. His dad received the one saying he was there and safe but do they get any phone privileges?
My boyfriend just transferred from BCT in fort jackson, to Fort Leonard wood for AIT.?
now my question is whats ait like? more freedom? how is it different from BCT? is fort leonard wood allow cell phone during that Time?