2. Where did your soldier attend basic training?

Fort Leonard Wood

3. When did he attend basic training?

August 22, 2007 to November 9, 2007

4. How often did you hear from him? (Phone and letters) I received a total of 4 phone calls. 1 during reception and the other three spread out during training. Letters were pretty regular once they started. Probably about 4or 5 a week. Sometimes they were really long letters but mostly they were short and informative.

5. How long was it before you heard from him the first time?

The reception call was almost as soon as he arrived. The first regular call was about 3 weeks later.

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

3 weeks

7. Were there any restrictions on what you could send him?

No food was allowed. We could send clippings from the newspaper, basics such as laundry detergent, deodorant, shampoo, pictures, cards and letters.

8. Were you sent information about family day and graduation?

Yes, FLW was pretty good about keeping us informed.

9. Did he have a family day? If so, please describe.

Family Day was held at the Baker Auditorium. The soldiers were marched in and seated down in front. For Family Day they wore Class A's. We watched a couple of videos about things that they did during BCT and then were told what the soldiers could and couldn't do while on pass.

The soldiers were marched out to the parking lot and formed up into platoons. Final instructions were given to them, cell phones handed out and then they were released to find family members. A family member had to sign them out before they could leave. We were allowed to spend the whole day with DH off base. Curfew was 9 pm. but we brought him back at 8:30 to be on the safe side.

10. Please describe the graduation ceremony.

The graduation ceremony was not much different than Family Day. It was again held at Baker Auditorium. The soldiers marched in from the back of the stage this time wearing their ACU's. Once they were all seated, there were a few speeches, awards were handed out and then the soldiers were marched back to the barracks. Family was allowed to meet them there. The drill sgt's had the platoons form up and hassled the soldiers a little. They did a couple of promotions and then released the soldiers to hang out with family until the buses arrived for transport. We got to hang out with my DH for a couple of hours before the buses pulled out for his AIT.

11. Is there a website for his basic training unit? Is there a place to see pictures of his training online?

Yes:

http://www.wood.army.mil/HQ310/Delta%20Company/DELTA%20COMPANY%20WEEK%201.htm