You may not be given a phone number to call your service member during their time in boot camp, but they will likely be able to call or text you while they are there. During boot camp, phone calls are often unscheduled so you may want to carry your cellphone with you at all times whenever they call.
There are no cell phones allowed in Basic Training. This is a consistent rule for all of the military branches: Do not expect your service member to be able to call you, text you, or receive your messages when they are in Basic Training. The Marine Corps does not allow any cell phone access until after graduation.
You may not contact trainees during training. Their program is an intense, eight week long training experience. You may write letters or ask for his/her address when they call during their few breaks. Trainees do not have access to the Internet, e-mail, cell phones or incoming phone calls.
Pictures – They are allowed to have pictures. However, do keep in mind that they have limited space. Soldiers don't need the entire photo album, just a few pictures will do. You may want to be sure you are sending copies rather than originals just in case something happens to them.
Sending care packages to basic training will vary by base and unit. It's important to find out if your trainee can receive packages before you send one, you don't want to get them or their unit in any unnecessary trouble. Some items that you can include in care packages are stamps, pens, journals, and pencils.
Changes recruits can expect in day-to-day cell phone use include most training platoons allowing only voice calls, no text, video, or photo exchanges, and you won't be allowed to have your phone with you at all times as you did in civilian life.
Don't send pornography or 'pin-up' or nude photos, off-color or racist jokes or comics. These items can get your soldier, sailor, marine, airman or guardsman in serious trouble. Don't send packages of goodies. Basic is not the time for 'Care Packages”.
In basic training, you take group showers. There's no way out of communal showers. They're required. Everyone in your barracks will enter the shower room assigned to your barracks when commanded.
It's going to come very heavy day to day. You're going to work Monday to Saturday and Sunday is that recovery day. And you can attend religious services, look after yourself and do that personal reflection. And then Monday or right back to it.
Due to the higher number of men entering the military, most BCT centers are often only for men, who have no female recruits to train alongside. However, there are no female-only centers. All women train at co-ed facilities and must get accustomed to the preponderance of men from the beginning.
Because calling home is an earned privilege (for your group) and is different for everyone depending on how your basic training unit performs, you may get only one phone call during your entire time at basic, or you may get as many as eight or 10 chances to call home.
You'll get a lot of chances to make friends at boot camp. Keep an open mind, respect others, and be kind. Last but not least, remember that you're not alone and that both your fellow recruits and instructors are there to support you.
Recruit training can be stressful and hard work. People are going to break down and cry. That's fine: it's the military. You pick yourself up and keep going.
Cell phone use depends on the drill sergeants. Some drill sergeants allow them, others do not. If Soldiers are allowed to use them they will not have them at all times. The phones will be locked up with the Soldier's other personal belongings and distributed when phone privileges are earned.
Red phase is the starting phase and is typically considered the hardest part of training. The entire phase, which is 3 weeks long, is devoted to constant calisthenic exercises, and you will be spending much of your time in the push-up position.
In all the branches' basic training programs, bedtime is usually 2100, or 9 p.m., except during times of special events, such as night exercises. In basic training, lights out means go to sleep. It does not mean talk to your buddies, study or write a letter home.
Family Day is a time for the Soldiers to demonstrate the skills they have learned in the past nine (9) weeks. All are invited to attend and no reservations (RSVP) are necessary. Immediately following Family Day activities, Soldiers are granted a local pass to visit with family members and friends.
The Navy, Army, and Marines have recruits drop out at roughly the same rate as each other, between 11 and 14 percent annually. Contrary to what many think, the goal of officers in basic training isn't just to push recruits to drop out.
Usually, the instructor of a training facility paid a civilian photographer to come to the base to take pictures. These photographs sometimes are filed in the records of the unit but oftentimes they are just distributed to the individual members with no permanent copy kept.
Often, drill commanders assign when and how long a unit has to shower. For example, you may have 1-2 minutes to squeeze in a quick shower in the morning after PT. Then, more time is generally provided in the evening right before or after “lights out”.
Drill Instructors DO Read the Message Boards
Your recruit does not want his or her Drill Instructor to read his or her private thoughts from the letters he or she send. These letters are intended for you and you alone.
Know the communication rules.
Your family can use the Red Cross or the IADT Coordinator for emergencies, and they can send mail and care packages. However, there are no visits permitted during BCT until Graduation Day. Now you're ready to ship to BCT.
Yes. Although you're contractually obligated to complete boot camp, if you prove incompatible, you can receive an administrative dismissal at any point during the basic training process.