How long do you have to wait to get contact info from an army soldier in boot camp?

Question

My son is in Fort Jackson, just left July 2, and yes it is only a few days, but the waiting is the hardest part.

Answer 1

It depends on when he sends you a letter. The first week he'll be inprocessing the army and won't have a mailing address. After that he'll actually start basic combat training, and everyone gets a post card on the first night with their mailing address to send home. It'll take a couple of weeks so be patient. You'll probably get a phone call befor you get a letter.

Answer 2

Your son will normally call home sometime in the first week for a few minutes. You will not have contact information for him until he actually finishes the reception phase (3 to 7 days) and is actually assigned to a training unit. At that point he would be able to write you a letter/postcard with his mailing address. Basic Combat Training is about learning critical basic Soldiering skills to become an effective warrior in a very short period of time. Personal time is limited. Access to phones is limited. Access to email during basic training is nonexistent. Once you get a mailing address you should send mail often as it is a morale builder for him, but you will find that he doesn't have time to respond to every letter you send to him. This is not college or a 9 to 5 situation. Good luck to him and take care.

Answer 3

It depends on where they do basic training at. Ft. Jackson affectionately called (Relaxing Jackson) ain't a bad place. The Cadre there are usually easy going compared to other training installations. I know when I got to basic training, they give you an opportunity to call home to let them know you got there safely. You usually go through 1 week of in-processing and you can't receive mail there. So, I would say 2-3 weeks after they arrive there, they should have the opportunity to write you. Calling is def not guaranteed. I didn't get to make a phone call until like my 6th or 7th week of basic training. But, again, it depends on where they are and how Drill Sergeants are.

-Trina.

Answer 4

First of all, when you are in the boot camp, it is really hard to find a way to write a letter because of the rigorous phases of training specially for the first 5 weeks when a soldier is trying to adopt himself to the different facet of training,environement, different types of people, plus the unending pressure from different peers (drill sergeants), lack of sleep, drills and marches, weapon qualifications. etc. There comes a time when all the trainees are instructed to send a letter home. Most likely when graduation is getting closer, and that the soldier maintained his/her good behaviour and passed all the required training skills to be a soldier.

Answer 5

I am a retired Navy Chief. When I was in boot camp in 1968 we completed a preprinted postcard for our parents/family within the first week or so which basically said, "Have arrived safely and am doing okay."

Good luck to your son and thank him for his service to our country. I have two sons in the military, one aboard a Navy ship and another serving in Baghdad with the Army.

Answer 6

I believe his sargeant will make him send a letter to you right away, but the mail being what it is, it takes a bit of time to get back home. He's fine, they military is really good about notifying people if things aren't fine. No news is good news. Bad news is accompanied by two guys in dress uniforms.

Answer 7

My Son was a marine and did basic in Parris Island, SC. Tell your Son to get a e-mail address so you can talk. I went to the library and used the free puters to E-mail my Son..

Answer 8

well get use to it mom because it will be a few weeks......