Hi, my name is Barb and my son just started boot camp at Fort Benning, Georgia. I have no idea what to expect and can't wait to hear from my boy. If anyone can tell me about what he is experiencing now, I would really love to hear from you.

Hi Barb, my name is audrey. my son just started boot camp in Missouri 48 hours ago and I would like to give you some good advice from experience. PLEASE contact your son's recruiter and get the scoop from him/her. I had a person tell me things that tore my heart out and I called my son's recruiter to get the real story and felt so much better! I honestly feel that the recruiters are not going to lie to us or mislead us because they know that these young men/woman would stop signing up for the service if they knew that they were being lied to. Love your son, support your son, be PROUD of him and Pray for him and all who are in training or are in combat.

Hello Barb, your son will experience the first two weeks a very intense time. The drill sergants will be jumping on him and everyone there alot. He will need your support not what did you join for, he will need words of encouragement that he did do the wright thing and that you back him up 100%. Then he could go to bed at night and know that if all he has is his mothers words of encouragement to get threw this - then it was all worth it. Godbless and take care barb.

Don`t worry he is OK, You can call the Red Cross and they will deliver the message to him and he will get back with you or you can post a message for him here it did work for a lot of mothers and sisters and spouses so it will works for you. Somebody will tell him about this message board or forum from his brigade.
The 1st 2 weeks are very intense but you will hear from him soon as he get chance.

Hi Barb,
I know exactly what you are going through. My son left Jan. 25th with only a 2 week notice to me. I had no idea what to do or expect. I can tell you this...It will be about a week or two before you hear anything, you will get a letter or postcard with his address on it. You can't send anything to him until he tells you to. Then, he will be in processing for a while, you probably won't hear from him until after that. Once he gets in basic...about 3 weeks, then you will probably hear from him, either by letter or possibly by phone. My son can't use his cell phone at all. It's tough!! I think I cried for 3 weeks straight. Once I got the first letter, it was a little easier. Good Luck. Keep positive thoughts to yourself and especially to him. He will be very homesick. Don't be surprised when he tells you about the GAS CHAMBER. I didn't know anything about any of it, so everything he told me has made me upset to this point.

Hi Barb. My name is Shelly. My son signed up Friday Oct. 14. I too do not know what to expect. He will be sworn in on Oct. 26 and leave for Fort Benning Georgia. I have so many different emotions going on inside all at one time.
I just stumbled on to this site while surfing the net. It helps me to know a mom has already walked my shoes and may have some great advise.
If you recieve any news about what to expect, please forward it to me.
I will keep you and your son in my prayer.
Thank you for listening,
Shelly

This is not a good idea. The Red Cross functions as an emergecy messaging system .. they should not be used to send a "Hello, I miss you" message. I am not even sure they will anymore. We have soldiers deployed in a war at the moment, it's best not to tie them up with trivial things.

It is doubtful anyone will inform him of this message board, there are very few actual military members here - and internet access during OSUT isn't allowed.

To the mother, your son will contact you with his address as soon as he is able. Do not be discouraged that you have not heard from him - he is going through a very intense adjustment period. Once you have an address, write him as often as possible but do not expect him to always be able to write you. Keep the letters clean, ie, do not inform him of problems at home - this will only cause undo stress. As someone else said, enforce your pride and support in his choice to serve his country. As time levels, he will have more free time.


The "gas chamber" sounds worse than it really is. They're taken into a room and exposed to CS gas .. it's worst effect is the snot that comes from your nose afterwards .. and your eyes and lungs will burn/hurt a bit. Risk to health is very minimal. It is more psychological than anything else.

My son signed up for the ARMY on August 5th and left on August 25th for bootcamp. I was devastated. He had two years of college. He was a college althete has the world by the tail and decided that the wanted to serve his counrty. I cried for days. However I have now made peace with his chose. I did not know what to expect either. I knew nothing. CHICKENHAWK helped me alot with what My son was going though. I took his advise and as soon as I got his address I wrote him everyday. I only wrote postive letters. I asked him alot of questions. He answered most of them. Some he did not I respected that he know I may worry more. Now he is graduating from bootcamp on Nov. 18th he is telling me a lot more than that it is over. Mom's it was almost 3 weeks before I heard from my son. I was worried sick. HOwever there was so much going on the first several weeks it is hard to have any energy to even put pen to paper. If you get his address just sent a post card with " SON I"M SO PROUD OF YOU " love your family. The letter just flowed after that home. I have a notebook on my coffee table that I have every letter from my son in it for everyone who visits us can read. I also have note cards there for them to write him a small message that I send with my letters. Some people get so busy they lose thought of the young man. This helps me knowing that people are reminded that our sons and daughters are protecting our freedom. I would sit at night and think of my son. So I started a quit for him with blocks also signed my family and freinds. I have quited blue stars into magenats, window clings window flags with my sons name on it , to give to my family and freinds to hang in there home. Everyone tells me that . the is not a day that goes by they don't see the stars and think of all the soldiers. You don't have to be a great sewer or a great quiter. You can use felt and glue or stickes. The stiches don't even have to be even. Just stitched with love.
Please feel free to e mail me . I have made peace and now I do something everyday to honor our children.

Hi new mum my son joined up two years ago i remember how i felt it was a worrying and exfcciting time and such a proud moment when he had completed his basic training. and when hee recieved his badge for his regimement.Im not sure about boot camp as we are in uk but im sure their are some similarities and parallells relating to discipline.teamwork emotional and physical growth .the recruits are put through vigarous exercises to increase their strength,stamina and teambuilding skills important elements for soldieiers to respond to the roles they are allocated.Do not worry mother of son.what ever happens you will feel proud and honoured that your son will protect your country and ours to.from another mother of a soldier.

hi barb this experience of your son leaving to attend boot camp will be worrying and exciting both in the same breath.It is worrying when we dont see our children and they are in the care of the army.Noone can look after our young ones like mums.BUT THE MOST EXCITING THING IS WHEN THEY RESPOND TO DISCIPLINE LEARN FANTASTIC SKILLS AND GROW EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY TO MEET THE CHALLENGES AND EXPECTATIONS GIVEN.
iIt willbe a wonderful proud moment when your son completes all tasks given to him and passes out in his final parade .My tears were joyful and proud.Although my son is in army.uk im sure there are similar parallelsand similarities in the aims of turning peop[le into soldiers with training the lads and lasses into respectful, loyal, skilful,obedient individuals.whom aare capable of proteecting your country and mine too if needed .Be very proud barb of your son.Iam of all army personnel protecting and serving our countries.