Why does it take so long to get that first letter from my soldier daughter who just went to basic a week ago?

Lisa Morris — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 09:25:48 -0400

She said it would be about three weeks. Mama bear is missing her cub and wants to send letters of encouragement.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jul 30 at 2018 9:42 AM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 09:42:25 -0400

Recruits are extremely busy in basic training the first few weeks. I don't even remember when I finally had time to write and send a letter when I went to basic. She will write you when she can. Also - she should have called most likely by now since they allow them access to their cell phones to make calls. When I came in, we had pay phones (2004) and we got a call at the beginning, in the middle and at the end.

Just bear in mind they keep us very busy in basic training to get everything done. If something major happened, the basic training unit she's in would call you.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jul 30 at 2018 9:42 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 09:42:40 -0400

I understand the need to want to communicate with your child but I would probably go ahead and take this time to get used to probably not being able to talk to her all the time. I know that they used to make them write a letter home to their parents on the first day of basic just to say that they were alive but I don't know if they do that anymore. It may also be the case that she hasn't started basic training yet; she may be sitting at the in-processing battalion awaiting placement into a basic training unit. There is a lot of things that go on before basic that not many people really know about. You don't just get off the plane and immediately start basic training though. Keep calm and relax. More than likely the mail is just slow.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jul 30 at 2018 9:59 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 09:59:43 -0400

New Recruits have to in process with medical, dental, MOS (Military Occupational Speciality), contract, important paperwork overall. I remember that while we all were waiting, our Drill Sgt. explained Military rank, history, the phonetic alphabet, and many other topics. We marched everywhere, marched to chow(the food was always good), there was of action, movement, a very busy time. So, in the mean time, just stay busy and productive because your daughter will write to You, as soon as time permits.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jul 30 at 2018 10:35 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 10:35:35 -0400

Thank You.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2018 11:29 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 11:29:23 -0400

Lisa Morris In 1968, when I arrived at Boot Camp, one of the first things we did was to call home and read from a script, that we had arrived safely, that we were fine, and it would be a while before we could write a letter. I know at the first opportunity, your daughter will send you a letter. Best wishes.

Response by Lisa Morris made Jul 30 at 2018 3:41 PM

Lisa Morris — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 15:41:52 -0400

It's funny that I posted this question this morning and I get the rushed, scripted call this afternoon. But I got ho hear her voice.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2018 4:00 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 16:00:39 -0400

Lisa. Your daughter will call when she gets to her basic training unit. It'll take awhile after that before you'll get the letter. If you want to see what she's doing you should find out the company and brigade she's in. They'll have a Facebook page and you might even see a picture of your daughter in one of them. Make sure you have some letters drafted because you would not believe how much it means to have a letter at basic.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 30 at 2018 7:22 PM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 19:22:28 -0400

As the victim (I specifically chose that word) of a helicopter Mom... please be VERY careful how you use official and unofficial tabs to keep in contact with your daughter. Your well-intentioned efforts to be there and to keep in touch can cause significant embarassment, harassment, and problems for your cub. I'm sure others can provide examples but let you offer some from my service and my brothers.

My brother was stationed in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of the De-Militarized Zone between South Korea and North Korea. My mother didn't receive a letter for about three weeks. She called the Red Cross daily starting about 10 days mark, and the Eighth Army Command Daily about 2 week mark and her Senator and congressman about the 3 week mark. Keep in mind that it takes time for the Army to move on peripheral issues. He was on-patrol (real world patrol with weapons loaded and the possibility of encountering infiltrators), when the word came down that a Red Cross Official and a full-bird Colonel were at his company command post. He thought that meant someone at home was dead. He left the patrol on foot, a very dangerous thing to do. When he got back he was asked by a very serious, very not happy, very senior Non-Commissioned Officer "WHY HAVEN"T YOU WRITTEN YOUR MOMMY?" He was very nearly kicked out of the command for leaving the patrol on foot. He was bully ragged about being a momma's boy for the remaining YEARS in the service. It became his unofficial call sign. For the remainder of his tour in Korea, He had to report to the Company's senior SNCO with a 1 page, front and back letter for mom every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; plus the last mail day before and after any non-mail service holiday.

During my training at The Basic School (all Marine 2ndLts go there), my brother thought I needed a dose of his mom troubles. He would tell my mom that I called him at home every week. (I didn't actually call him once in the six months). After a month of this she could stand no more. She called the Commanding General (Marine Corps Combat Development Center) and asked his staff secretary to ask me why I had time to call my brother but no time to write her. On one of his relatively frequent visits to see the Lieutenants training, the Commanding General sought me out by name. With a big toothy grin he jokingly tossed me a dime and told me to "Call Mommy!" in front of my peers. I was still getting razzed about that at the end of my time in service.

Rest easy Ms Morris. The service is doing everything it can to make sure your daughter is safe and sound. Wouldn't it be better to know that she's calling because she wants to... not because she's afraid of the consequences if she doesn't?

Response by Lisa Morris made Jul 30 at 2018 8:33 PM

Lisa Morris — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 20:33:16 -0400

Thanks everyone, you have put this new army mom at ease

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 30 at 2018 10:54 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 22:54:37 -0400

1st week is in-processing at Reception, After that she will be assigned to her Training unit and will have a firm address, tho that 2nd week is dang busy.