1. Your name (as you would like it to appear on the website):

Olivia
 

2. Where did your soldier attend basic training?

Fort Leonardwood, MO
 

3. When did he attend basic training?

Sept-January 2007
 

4. How often did you hear from him? (Phone and letters)

After the first month, I received letters 3 to 4 times a week, and after maybe 2 months

pay phone calls on the weekends if they earned a pass. Later on in the training, if the soldiers received pass, they were able to get their cell phones. I mailed my soldier the cell phone when that happened, I think it was about 1.5, two months in.
 

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

About a month. A very very long month!
 

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

I believe that I received a mailing address fairly quickly. I think part of their intake was mailing
contact letters out. I received a form letter from the drill sergeants that was addressed by my soldier during processing. I am also a Google master, and my soldiers training unit info and mailing address was on the Ft Leonardwood Website. You run a little risk doing that because the addresses could have changed, and it is kind of a guess if the letter will actually get to your soldier. Just don't write anything too serious until you know you have the correct address!
 

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

Obviously things like food, nakedness, things of that nature. From an inside joke I mailed mini rubber ducks, which were quickly confiscated. The soldiers opened all mail in front of the drill sergeants, so contrabands were taken away as soon as they were received. Soldiers were given privacy to read and respond to letters, but opening them happened in front of the DS.
 

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

Yes, very well informed of both of these things. Again, I found the information for both online, and then received letters and an invitation to graduation. Graduation happened to fall right before exodus, so the letter included that as well. It listed hotels or accommodation's located on the base, and travel agencies, nearest airport. Very helpful.
 

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

There was a family day before the day of graduation. I believe the soldiers were given an off post pass for that day, but I arrived late that evening, saw my soldier for a quick hug before formation, and then didn't see them again until after graduation ceremony.
 

10. Please describe the graduation ceremony.

The graduation ceremony was great. It put into vivid image everything you had been reading about in letters for months. Such a feeling of pride and being really impressed! The ceremony was not long, recognized DS' for special honors, introduced each squad, they sang some cadences which were loud enough to knock you over. It was great. Then each Soldier's name was called and received  their awards and certificates. The dress was ACU's for soldiers, (family day before had been Class A's) And those attending were in all types of dress from very formal to very casual. Afterwards there was a travel safety briefing longer than the actual ceremony and all vehicle's present, that would be leaving with a soldier, had to be inspected, as well as all travel plans submitted and verified. I think that was simply because graduation was going right into exodus.
 

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

There was a great website for basic training, I am having trouble finding it at the moment, but I would be able to find it and e-mail it to you if you need/want it, just let me know.
 

12. Any other tips or information?

Send lots of mail! There will be times when your soldier doesn't have time to write, or read much, but even short letters or cards really have a huge impact. Know what your soldier is going through- Use the Internet! You can find everything and anything you need. Know whats going on so your soldier knows that they are supported. Dont understand an acronym or term? Ask someone (not your soldier) or look it up online. Being on board with what was happening at training helped me to be able to feel like I had some sort of control in a situation where, you really have no control! If you have school age children, take them out of school for the graduation. Being there and missing a few days of school will be worth while. I regret not taking my daughter to see my soldiers graduation, even though I tapped it, It was not the same in movie form. I did take my daughter to AIT graduation, but that was not as fancy as BT.
 

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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!

Basic Training Questionnaire

RELATED LINKS:

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. 

Christmas Exodus 

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.