Mail and Phonecalls When you first arrive at the reception station, you should be getting an opportunity to make one phonecall home within the first 24 hours to let everyone know you are okay. After that, opportunities are not at every corner. Phonecalls are a privilege and not a right. And no, you may not bring and use your cell phone either. I've found most recruits are able to make a few short calls a week at the reception station. After moving on to your basic training company, chances are even more slim of getting to a phone. Most companies will let you call home for a few minutes to let them know you have arrived at your BT company. After that, in particular in the first three weeks, you may get an opportunity some time on the weekend. Some posts may have Uncle Sam pay for that first phonecall, but I suggest bringing a phone card with you..either one that is prepaid (then bring a few) or have some kind of calling card. For those reading this who are about to see someone off to BT, these make great gifts! Once you get to your BT company, part of the company inprocessing will be to fill out form letters that will get sent home. There will be info on there that your parents/loved ones should know, including your mailing address. If someone wants to mail you beforehand, just tell them to hang onto the letters until they hear from you. Tell your family and friends also not to send registered mail, or any mail that you have to sign for. Every time this happens, you and your battle buddy (you can't walk around alone) will be sent back to the company orderly room to sign for the item and will potentially miss some training. Plus if you are far away from the orderly room, it is even more inconvenient. Also tell your loved ones not to send you any packages. If it's food, the drill sergeants will make you throw it away. If it's something valuable, they'll pack it up with your civilian stuff, and you won't see it til graduation. It's okay to send photos. Just don't send too many or any in poor taste. Recruits are welcome to put up a few photos on the inside of their wallockers, and some do carry photos in their wallets also. There will be no email access in BT, so don't bother. Also, for you folks back home, do not bother the company cadre unless it is an emergency. You'll probably be given a contact phone number; please only use it if you must. If there is a family emergency, the best way to get the soldier home (ie for a death in the family or serious illness or injury), is to contact your local Red Cross and give them the post and company your soldier is in. The commander will make the final decision if the soldier can go. The commander cannot force a soldier to stay in BT, but if there is a chance that he may get recycled (if there is critical training going on the soldier will miss), he has to be advised of this beforehand and told that when he comes back, he could be put into a company that is behind his in training. Some posts also have ongoing photos online of their training cycles. You'll be informed of this in your literature. Lastly, for you recruits, it's okay to write home as much as you want. Bring plenty of stamps and writing paper/envelopes. You'll also have a chance to buy these at the mini-PX. For those of you with international penpals, please know the postage beforehand for a letter, as you won't have time to visit any post office. For the first few weeks, you'll have minimal time to write and be dead tired and your letters may be brief, but that's okay. Encourage friends and family to write you upbeat letters. Of course, you'll hear of some drill sergeants who make you do push-ups for every letter you get, it's surprising how good you'll feel after doing them...there's something about having someone care enough about you to write...plus you're getting much needed PT anyway:-)) |
