You're in the Army now...

[nitrogen]

They let them txt message during basic training? Sounds pretty light.

[williamkevin]

Sending our thoughts and well wishes for her success! Please pass to her "many thanks" for serving this country! Is she Active or Guard?

Cheers!

[A-R]

Tell her we're all rooting for her.

[williamkevin]

Thank you much - she's active

I'm wondering - if I ace the PT tests - if it's possible to get some sort of reprieve on my age (45) and get into the Reserves... hmmm.

Depending on your skillset, I would think the age limit would be waiverable. So many things are these days.

[Medic218]

I did my basic there in 02 and I know they call if "relaxin' Jackson" but really? She has a cell?
The only thing I can think of is that they havent taken it away from her yet since the 1st week is only reception(in-processing). Real BCT doesn't actually begin untill week two at the earliest. Some people are in there for weeks waiting on a class to form.
Also, once she starts BCT dont expect a phone call of any type for near a month. When she does call she'll have lots to talk about and little time but will mostly just want to hear y'alls voices, or at least thats how I was. I forget how much time they gave us when they first gave us phone privlidges but I want to say it was only 3 minutes or so.
If you talk to her again tell her to get ready for Victory Tower....it was soooooo much fun! Also, DO NOT drink milk the morning of the CS gas chamber.....which really wasnt as bad as everyone made it out to be. And drink plenty of water during her FTX at the end of the training cause it doesnt take much to get dehydrated.
I could go on and on with advice but I think I'll leave it at this.....just tell her to have a sence of humor about the whole thing. Basic, for me, was like a 9 week stand up act with PT and an M-16.
Also, dont take anything personally. Its thier job to be hard on recruits and they are just a person like the rest of us.....and do whatever they say, no questions or with any attitude.
I hope she is able to enjoy herself while she is there.
What MOS did she choose?

[Kythas]

I did BCT in '87 before there were cell phones (at least, cell phones that weren't as big as a brick), so I'm not sure when they'll take them away. I'd doubt they let them have them past the reception station, though. It's been so long that I may not be remembering correctly, but I don't recall even having my keys or wallet in BCT.

One thing that will always stand out for me is the one guy who was discharged on a Section 8 during Basic.

[karder]

I have a few odd skills, so that is interesting to hear - thanks

I know how you feel Andy. I don't have many skills, but the ones I do have are certainly odd.
Tell your girl to stay safe and congratulations! The armed forces are a great path.

[bdickens]

...wife started getting bombarded with frantic text-messages on her phone - "OMG they r so mean!!"

Boy, have times changed.

[pbwalker]

I did BCT in '87 before there were cell phones (at least, cell phones that weren't as big as a brick), so I'm not sure when they'll take them away. I'd doubt they let them have them past the reception station, though. It's been so long that I may not be remembering correctly, but I don't recall even having my keys or wallet in BCT.

One thing that will always stand out for me is the one guy who was discharged on a Section 8 during Basic.

It's amazing the things you remember from boot. I'll always remember my short, Puerto Rican DI. His accent made his colorful language hysterical. I had a hard time keeping a straight face.

And then there was Pvt. Strange. A last name like that in boot is an invitation for attention.

I enjoyed it honestly. It was a tough 8 weeks, but it was rewarding and I think I am better for the overall experience. I went in as a 91B, but 'Palace Chased' over to the AF / NG. Medic to F16 Avionics. Of course, after I did it and went through the training, 9/11 occurred. Active Duty for one more year.

Congrats to your daughter! It is a very rewarding experience. I wasn't lucky enough to go through Boot @ Camp Snoopy (which is what we called Jackson when we were at Ft. Leonard Wood aka Ft. Lost In The Woods...I think it was jealousy driven! )

[Kythas]

And then there was Pvt. Strange. A last name like that in boot is an invitation for attention.

I enjoyed it honestly. It was a tough 8 weeks, but it was rewarding and I think I am better for the overall experience. I went in as a 91B, but 'Palace Chased' over to the AF / NG. Medic to F16 Avionics. Of course, after I did it and went through the training, 9/11 occurred. Active Duty for one more year.

We had one guy in my platoon who had the same last name as one of our drill sergeants. He had standing orders to drop and do 10 push ups every time he saw the drill sergeant, whether the drill sergeant saw him or not. It was pretty funny standing around talking, then seeing him suddenly drop and do 10 push ups.

When my Senior Drill found out my uncle was an Army officer he made me low crawl back and forth in front of his podium during the morning formation for a week because I didn't tell any of my drills that I had an uncle who was an officer in "his" United States Army. My uncle laughed like I've never seen him laugh when I told him about that.

The Army was a great experience for me and I'd do it all again if I had the chance. The difference between when I went in and when anyone who's joining now is that when I joined we weren't at war. My hat's off to every one of our young people today who are joining with the full knowledge that we're fighting two wars and they almost certainly will be sent in harm's way.

[GrayGhost]

My son just graduated boot camp in the Navy. Just a bit over a week after he arrived, we received a package. In it was everything he had when he left us. All his clothes, jacket, shoes, socks, underwear and CELLPHONE. He graduated last Friday. He was allowed two phone calls during boot camp. One of those was a call he was allowed when he was informed that his grandmother had passed away. The other his mother received toward the end of boot camp. Some of the other divisions were allowed a few more. But no one was allowed to keep that cell phone. I suspect the army will be the same. Look for your box to appear soon. And for both of our brave children (okay young adults) I salute...