Married to the Army

Ft Leonard Wood Basic Training Review 2013

Stacey — Sun, 05 May 2013 23:42:59 +0000

1. Your Name (as you would like it to appear)

Bre

2. Where did your soldier attend basic training?

Ft. Leonard Wood

3. When did your soldier attend basic training (please include the year)?

2/20/2013-5/2/2013

4. How often did you hear from him (phone and letters)?

At Ft. Leonard, they insure soldiers who are passing all their requirements about 20 minutes of phone time at the end of every 3-week Phase (red, white, blue) on a Sunday. I got the calls late afternoon/evening. I got the phone calls once of three weeks as expected, but then, since his DS let them have their phones back, I got a couple more calls on Sundays after blue and white phase. I was not expecting them, but it was really nice! Letter access is pretty much unlimited. They do not get letters withheld from them and I never heard of them doing pushups for letters. My soldier tried to get a letter out every other day, but was writing to me consistently. I wrote to him every day.

5. How long was it before you heard from him the first time?

I got about a 5 second phone call from him to let me know he had gotten to the base safely. The call went “I got here safe, I’m alright, I have to go, goodbye.” and ended. Then I, unexpectedly got about a 10-minute phone call from him about 3-4 days later, letting me know he had been processed and was sending me his contact info.

6. How long did it take to receive a mailing address from him?

About a week or two after he left. Sent in the mail.

7. Were there any restrictions on what you could send him?

Yes, they explain it pretty clearly. No food or any kind, alcohol, candy, prescribed drugs, books, magazines, pornography or suggestive material AT ALL. You get the idea. I COULD send him as many letters as I wanted, newspaper clippings, non-sexy photos, drawings, and a tiny heart-shaped rock once. You can send packages of necessities (like extra toiletries, socks etc.) if your soldier asks for them, but I left that to his parents, since he asked them. Any packages you send will have to be opened by your soldier in front of a DS.

8. When did you receive information about family day and graduation?

Same as when I got the mailing address. Pretty clear. There were also events on the facebook page with details.

9. Did he have a family day? If so, please describe.

Yes, on 5/1/2013, the day before his graduation. A Wednesday. I didn’t go, but his parents did. I had senior year of high school to take care of! But they’re allowed to be signed out and go out with their family and go somewhere to eat. It’s supposed to be really nice and they have to be back around 7 pm.

10. Please describe the graduation ceremony.

On 5/2/2013, a Thursday. No idea how to ceremony went, but it’s supposed to be really nice for the families with a slide show of pictures of their training. They can be signed out after the ceremony and have to be back by 7 pm, usually.

11. Is there a website for his unit? Did you find a place online that has pictures from his basic training?

Yes! There’s a great facebook group with announcements and lots of info. It’s updated quite often and pictures of what each company had been up to during the week were posted every weekend. Lt. Anderson managed to page and did a great job! Really wonderful.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/1st-Battalion-48th-Infantry-Regiment-Fort-Leonard-Wood-MO/135092849846756

12. Any other tips or information?

I went through this with my soldier when I was 17 years old and a senior in high school. I had known my soldier for about 5 or 6 months and we had been going out for a little over 2 months when he left for Basic. It wasn’t the most advisable decision for someone my age or in my situation, but I did it. The first month was pure awful. I was crying every night and mopping around during the day. But I figured it out, how to deal. I just kept moving, kept doing, kept pushing through my senior year and college apps and all the things I needed to do. Staying busy was the way I made it through. Writing to him was like therapy: it helped me work out things inside myself.

Now, I am at peace with this situation. I remembered how I lived my life and what made me happy before my soldier was in it. I remembered how to love and care for myself. I realized that he was fine out there, he was doing his thing, and I was doing mine.

Anyways, to make things simple:

1) Aim to write to your soldier every single day. Letters are pure gold out there. And send photos!

2) Keep moving. Keep moving, keep breathing, keep doing.

3) It feels so hard some days and you don’t think you can go on. It can hurt an awful lot, but you’re going to be okay. You’re going to make it through. Keep pushing. Remember that.You are going to be just fine.

Ft Jackson Basic Training Review 2013

Stacey — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:58:13 +0000

1. Your Name (as you would like it to appear)-Amanda

2. Where did your soldier attend basic training? Fort Jackson

3. When did your soldier attend basic training (please include the year)? 10/29/12-1/31/13 (Two weeks of leave over christmas)

4. How often did you hear from him (phone and letters)? I received 4 phone calls, one was to say his phone was being taken away and one was for the soul purpose of scheduling his flight home for Christmas. I got letters about every week and a half. He would write 4-5 days worth and send them all at once.

5. How long was it before you heard from him the first time? The first phone call after his phone was taken away was when he called to coordinate VBL (Victory Block Leave/Christmas Leave). Thanks giving was the other phone call. They didn’t get many others since they had 2 weeks off for Christmas right in the middle.

6. How long did it take to receive a mailing address from him? about 2 and a half weeks

7. Were there any restrictions on what you could send him? The main thing that he wanted was cough drops, they had to be sugar free, any flavor. he also request the US Government Skilcraft pens, so i bought a box and sent them to him also. Everything else is pretty limited, his units facebook page had a do’s and don’ts section for whats allowed to be sent.

8. When did you receive information about family day and graduation? before his first letter

9. Did he have a family day? If so, please describe. We met at Hilton field. We could see our soldiers waiting in the tree line. The commanders of the battalion spoke for about 30 min then we got to go onto the field, greet our soldier then go check them for an on base pass for the day. It was 70 degrees out so we first went to the commissary and got picnic lunch items, then went to a park and ate it. Then found a park with a play ground for our daughter to play on. We aren’t seafood eaters, so we passed on the Officers Club Dinner, which was a Seafood Buffet. We opted for my husbands favorite, Subway. It was starting to get dark so we went to the solomon center and played. They had video and board games along with a bouncy house and a couple other inflatable games. We had to have him back at his barracks by 8:00 and we stayed for the commanders briefing. We hung around after that, for the promotion ceremony, which my husband was part of. My Daughter and I were able to tear his Pvt2 rank off and put his new PFC rank on. That was really special to be a part of.

10. Please describe the graduation ceremony. Graduation day was colder, but at 45 degrees we were used to it. It last about 45 min. Started with the Army band and then with the soldiers marching out. My soldier received a special award for his company so after the graduation we went over to a white tent on the side of the stands. We got to hear a speech from the Brigadier General of the base, the soldiers received challenge coins from the general and 4 other high ranking officers.

11. Is there a website for his unit? Did you find a place online that has pictures from his basic training? Yes, there was a Facebook group. Which photographed 6 event. They can’t guarantee your soldier will be in then, but they take about 100 pictures per event of each company. On Sunday they post a “40 rounds” album which gives you an extra chance to find your soldier. They ask one soldier from each platoon a questions and feature the answers. Also The Protestant Chaplain hosts a “sunday shout out” if your soldier goes to the Protestant service they can view the shout out. It was shown prior to and after the sunday service. This was all through the Facebook page. The ladies that run it are great!

12. Any other tips or information? I missed the call telling me my soldiers address, so i ended up calling the base locater office. which i found on the fort jackson website. If your soldier has basic training over christmas know that the remaining time is much harder for them and you. You only get two weeks back, make it count and send as many letters as you can write, they need it!

Ft Leonard Wood Basic Training Review

Site Visitor — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 20:34:32 +0000

1. Your Name (as you would like it to appear)

Deanna C.

2. Where did your soldier attend basic training?

Ft. Leonard Wood, MO

3. When did your soldier attend basic training (please include the year)?

May 15 2012-July 26 2012

4. How often did you hear from him (phone and letters)?

He was able to text me on the bus ride into the Fort. During the R&I week, he wrote me letters that I got at the end of that week-no return address. He called me the first Sunday for about 4 minutes…maybe not even that long. He then called me the Tuesday he was being sent to BCT-we got nearly 15 minutes! And then after training actually started we got to speak for about 4 minutes that first Sunday. And then for the next two Sundays phone calls were taken from the whole platoon because of ”issues” with behavior. During those two weeks I finally got an address…I had been writing since he left so his first batch of letters had about 16 letters!! After they got their “act” together he has been able to call me every Sunday afternoon anywhere between 1:30-7pm. We have spoken anywhere between 5 and 53 minutes. For the most part the conversations are quick-just long enough to say how much we miss each other and hear a bit about how things have been going.

5. How long was it before you heard from him the first time?

About a week for a phone call/letters.

6. How long did it take to receive a mailing address from him?

This took about two weeks.

7. Were there any restrictions on what you could send him?

Since he was in BCT during the summer they really weren’t allowed anything-I thought perhaps some cough drops would be helpful (still got a cold despite the hot weather)-but he wasn’t allowed. He was able to get all he needed from the nurse etc. No candies or treats of any kind-they can’t have coffee or soda (unless they get a pass). Its all for their good. If they eat that garbage while under the intense training they are undergoing it would make them sick It may seem fun and like a really nice gesture to send treats but its not and he won’t get it anyways.

8. When did you receive information about family day and graduation?

I am just a girlfriend, so I got information from his Mom. She got information two weeks into BCT, along with an address and graduation info.

9. Did he have a family day? If so, please describe.

Yes, it is the day before graduation. He is planning on spending it with his family. I won’t be able to make it to the family day or graduation due to working two jobs. I am glad that he gets it though. My soldier just wants to go back to the hotel with his family and have a quiet cup of coffee and good conversation-very understandable after all the stress! (And no coffee:)

10. Please describe the graduation ceremony.

Still a few days away, and unable to attend so I can’t comment on this one.

11. Is there a website for his unit? Did you find a place online that has pictures from his basic training?

Yes, Facebook had 3 different pages. One for his battalion, one for his company and one of a professional photographer who posts fun pictures from training outside during the week. They were nice, but could also be frustrating because you want to see more or you want to see your guy and most of the time I didn’t see him. It was more fun than not to have a visual of what he was experiencing though. It took me a while to find the page on facebook but when I found it it was a treasure!

12. Any other tips or information?

It may seem excessive, but write your man every day. It is a wind of fresh air to their souls. I never wanted my Soldier to have a mail call day (this doesn’t happen every day) and to not hear his name. In fact, I always wrote on the tab on the back of his envelopes and he said that the other guys in his Platoon were calling his name before the Drill Sargent was able to read it off the front of the envelope!! Your soldier is making a huge sacrifice to be there, making a way for you and your family, believe me-finding an hour or less a day to send words of love and encouragement is tiny compared to what he is going through. Also! Be sure to address the envelope EXACTLY as he tells you. I had to write his platoon number on the back of each envelope-I didn’t know this when I sent that first batch of letters!!! I heard that depending on the Drill Sargent your guy could pay for your mistakes in properly addressing their letters though push-ups etc. Thankfully, mine didn’t. I think it just takes a little longer for your guy to receive mis-addressed envelopes because they have to figure out where he is. Be honest in your letters. Be ready to hear about how hard and how discouraging everything is. But keep encouraging them in their decision-it does get better!! Its very hard to be apart-but it does get better!!! Its just a short season of separation and for such a great future. I am still a few days away from being reunited with my Soldier, and the anticipation and excitement I feel at seeing him for the first time is indescribable. It seems like it will take forever but it really does go quickly. You can do it girl!!

MetLife Dental for Military

Stacey — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 18:26:11 +0000

In May of 2012, the military switched dental providers. Dental coverage is now provided by MetLife. Enrollment is very similar to the old system and can be completed by phone, by mail or online.

Enroll in MetLife Dental

Dental Enrollment Period

Also, the sponsor must still have 12 months left on his contract at the time of enrollment as it is a minimum of a 12-month enrollment period. There are a few exceptions which can be explained to you when you enroll.

Types of Dental Plans

Single and family plans are offered. For family plans, all eligible family members must enroll unless there is a child under age 4, family members are living in multiple locations or there is a family member that requires special medical attention.

MetLife Dental Premiums

For active duty family members, the single rate is just over $10/month and the family rate is just over $30/month (as of 2012). You can see updated rates as well as rates for those who aren’t active duty here. Premiums are paid through an allotment from the soldier’s paycheck.

Dental Coverage

Just as with other Tricare plans, if you enroll before the 20th of the month, your coverage starts on the 1st day of the next month. If you enroll after the 20th, your coverage starts on the 1st day of the 2nd month. In other words, if you enroll on May 15th, your coverage starts June 1st. If you enroll on May 21st, your coverage starts July 1st.

MetLife Cost Shares for Dental

In addition to your monthly premiums, there are cost shares for service above and beyond “routine” cleanings. The cost share is based on the rank of the sponsor and can be found here.

You will need to use an in-network provider to avoid paying additional fees. You can find the one closest to you here.

What has your experience been like with the new dental plan? Has it been comparable to the old Tricare Dental Program? Please share in comments.

Living at Ft Gordon Army Post Review

Site Visitor — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:52:05 +0000

1. Your name (as you would like it to appear): T Turner

2. Army Post Name:

Fort Gordon

3. Army Post Location:

Augusta, GA

4. Dates When You Lived Here (please include year):

02/2011 – PRESENT

5. How is housing? On-post? Off-post?

Housing is good off post and on. Especially the newer housing for senior enlisted and officers. Evans and grovetown are the best areas for houses off post. I love Evans but Grovetown is said to be upcoming by Augustans!

6. Rate the PX and Commissary.

Decent PX there are tons of off post options so it’s not much and does not carry everything. The commissary is pretty good as well. Not brand new but decent size and pretty friendly employees.

7. Are there activities on post? Is there lodging on post?

Tons of things to do on post. They have large events and the housing here offers events for children/families all the time. Yes, lodging on post but strongly suggest one of the awesome hotels right off post!

8. What is there to do in the area?

Everything! Decent mall, fishing, hiking, parks, indoor and outdoor pools/splash parks, tons of shopping choices, events, there are 3 different cities all in this area and they all have there own events! Evans, Grovetown, and Augusta! Downtown is very cool and cultured as well! There are some bad places but easy to spot and avoid.

9. Rate the school system.

I have toddlers but know that Columbia county schools are where you want to be!

10. Are there colleges in the area? Please list.

Augusta Tech. College, Miller-Motte Tech College, and more I think.

11. How is the job situation? What types of jobs are in the area for spouses?

Again, not sure but I assume retail jobs are plentiful.

12. Favorite aspect of the post and surrounding area?

The post has a nice library and plenty of trails and an awesome park! As far as the area lets just say I am sad to be leaving next year! It has just enough country/city! The parks off post especially in Evans are awesome. There is also a wonderful club off post for stay at home moms! It is the MOMS club of Evans!

13. Least favorite aspect?

People working on post can be rude sometimes because they deal with school soldiers. I have had terrible experience with the spouse employment office. They were rude, unhelpful, and there way of doing paperwork is for the birds!

14. List any local websites.

Facebook pages for Fort Gordon ACS, Balfour Betty Housing (on post housing), Columbia county(Evans, Grovetown), Richmond County site (Augusta, Martinez), 365 things to do in Augusta, chronicle.augusta.com,

Living at Ft Stewart

Site Visitor — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:49:36 +0000

1. Your name (as you would like it to appear):Brigitte S.

2. Army Post Name:Fort Stewart

3. Army Post Location:Southeast Georgia

4. Dates When You Lived Here (please include year):April 2010-Present

5. How is housing? On-post? Off-post? New housing is available for enlisted and officers on post. A lot of the older housing has been renovated. Housing has tons of free activities (cooking classes, games, yard of the month, etc)every month. Off-post, Hinesville has some good choices. Richmond Hill(25 minutes) and Savannah (45 minutes) also have more upscale choices.

6. Rate the PX and Commissary. PX is acceptable. There is Starbucks, Arby’s, Taco John’s, Anthony’s Pizza and Charlie’s grilled subs in the PX Food Court. Burger King, Popeyes Chicken as well as Marco’s Pizza and chinese dine-in.

7. Are there activities on post? Is there lodging on post? Lots of activities on post. Read the post newspaper (The Frontline, available at the PX and library), and sign up for the monthly housing activities and you’ll be all set. Also, look up the numerous FB pages such as Get Outta the House Fort Stewart. PWOC and MCCW are both VERY active and fun. They are the christian women’s care groups.

8. What is there to do in the area? Hinesville (the closest town) is quiet.

9. Rate the school system. On-Post is pre-k through 6th grade. There are several good, private schools off post. There is a big Homeschooling group here as well.

10. Are there colleges in the area? Please list. Savannah Tech, Georgia Southern, Armstrong Atlantic

11. How is the job situation? What types of jobs are in the area for spouses?Unsure

12. Favorite aspect of the post and surrounding area? Weather during the winter months is very pleasant.

13. Least favorite aspect? The bugs

Living at Ft Campbell Review

Site Visitor — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:43:14 +0000

1. Your name (as you would like it to appear): Jessica Rockow

2. Army Post Name: Fort Campbell

3. Army Post Location: KY

4. Dates When You Lived Here (please include year):Jan 2011-Present

5. How is housing? On-post? Off-post?:We live in an apt off post. There are many great apt communities in the area but had we known the housing market we would’ve definitely rented or purchased a home. Building a house in Clarksville, TN is extremely cheap for pretty decent quality.

6. Rate the PX and Commissary. Good, but lack of product.

7. Are there activities on post? Is there lodging on post? Activites on post are awesome, very developed. Lodging on post is nice as well but more costly than other posts I.E. HI , AZ, WA, and KY-Knox.

8. What is there to do in the area? Beachhaven Winery– Jazz on the Lawn, Nashville is amazing fun i.e. Broadway, Green hills, many great wineries and historic landmarks as well as the Grand Ol Opry. Lastly Blackhorse brewery is the most non-cookie cutter restaurant in the area with great food.

9. Rate the school system. Rossview is the best and NorthEast high is supposedly the best HS.

10. Are there colleges in the area? Please list. Austin Peay State University, many community and online colleges as well as Vanderbilt in Nashville.

11. How is the job situation? What types of jobs are in the area for spouses? Many real-estate, property management, hospital, retail, school district and contractor jobs in the area. Hemlock is a another dominating employment market here.

12. Favorite aspect of the post and surrounding area? Clarksville is very diverse and not predominately military feels more like a small town than a military town.

13. Least favorite aspect? Small town and southern, I’m from the north– very different work ethic and culture. Def. a learning experience.

14. List any local websites. N/A

15. Any other tips or information? Don’t assume being military makes you obsolete in this town, it gives you an interesting perspective and there are so many opportunities here that you should def. take advantage of this.

Ft Jackson Basic Training Review (by Kerrin)

Site Visitor — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:39:49 +0000

1. Your Name (as you would like it to appear)

Kerrin

2. Where did your soldier attend basic training?

Forth Jackson, South Carolina

3. When did your soldier attend basic training (please include the year)?

April 2012

4. How often did you hear from him (phone and letters)?

The entire 10 weeks I received four phone calls totaling about 25 minutes. The first to let me know he landed at the airport, the second one was not until 7 weeks in, the third was 9 weeks in, and the final call was a couple days before graduation.

5. How long was it before you heard from him the first time? I did not hear from him for over two weeks. I ended up calling Fort Jackson myself to find out his battalion and company. They do not have platoon info, but that is not necessary in the beginning to send him mail. I sent letters out as soon as I received this and he got them roughly 10 days later.

6. How long did it take to receive a mailing address from him? Over two weeks.

7. Were there any restrictions on what you could send him? Oh yes. I stuck to the basics: I send him stamps, icy hot, dandruff shampoo, nonscented deodorant, and original cough drops. Do you know how hard it is to find those? Haha, pretty much anything scented, flavored or fun is off limits. I also sent him a picture from our wedding day and there happened to be a glass of wine in the photo on a table: this is a no no. He was not allowed to keep it. No drugs, alcohol or nudity.

8. When did you receive information about family day and graduation? About a week after.

9. Did he have a family day? If so, please describe.

Yes, it was held at 9am. We sat through a quick speech and then the soldiers marched on to the field. You sit in the company section and then must find them while they are still in formation. You must stay on post, but are allowed to spend the day with your soldier until 8pm. There is a waterpark, pub, bowling alley, and movie theater all on post.

10. Please describe the graduation ceremony.

We left immediately after graduation ( held on thursdays) to drive him to AIT. Get there early, and sit in their company section. It’s hot there, reaaaaaaal hot.

11. Is there a website for his unit? Did you find a place online that has pictures from his basic training?

Yes, the facebook page was GREAT. Here is a helpful website for finding a soldiers’ unit online for Fort Jackson BCT: http://wordswoman.livejournal.com/76861.html they do not have separate platoon facebook pages, only companies.

12. Any other tips or information?

Do not get discouraged if you do not hear from them. They are VERY busy, and have little personal time. Write every day, they will thank you endlessly. Remember to take it one day at a time, and keep yourself busy. I also tried very hard to get a hotel on post for family day and graduation, but they fill up SO fast and you can only book them 10 days in advance, so I had to book off post. Transport them to AIT yourself if at all possible. Any location east of the Mississippi is allowed. Sometimes their AIT unit will give them a weekend pass for you to spend with them if you transport them before they begin their training on the Monday following graduation. As soon as you find out your soldier’s unit you can find their graduation date on the Fort Jackson website. This helps make travel arrangements. Make sure they bring their cell phone. My husband did not, and whenever they got phone calls he borrowed someone else’s. The phones are locked up at all times except when they are allowed by the DS to make a call. Every company is different, so make sure they have your number memorized and a phone card, just in case they are told to use the payphones. Just try to stay as positive as possible and the 10 weeks will fly by. AIT is much better as far as communication goes, so know you are getting the worst part over with! Good luck.

An Independent Dependent

Site Visitor — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:35:11 +0000

as submitted by Ashley Prince

From the time I was a little girl, I have always been very independent. I don’t ask for help unless I have exhausted every possible solution to a problem I may have. I don’t depend on anyone for my success. And I don’t depend on anyone for my happiness.

When I became an Army wife, it seems like everyone (except my mom) forgot this. When my husband deployed in March, everyone was just waiting for me break down. And it never happened. It won’t happen.

It seems there is this confusion in the world because an Army wife is seen as a “dependent.” That is our legal name on paperwork and ID. I hate this word. It makes us seem like everything we do is dependent upon our husband. But what happens when our husband is deployed? Are we supposed to just sit on our hands, cry, and moan until he comes home? No.

We keep living. We keep going day to day. We keep on going to school. We keep on working. We keep on taking care of kids. We keep on taking care of the house. We keep on paying the bills. We keep on going to social engagements. We keep on keeping on.

Just because Army wives are “dependents” doesn’t mean we have to be dependent. We can be and are independent.

Memorial Day

Stacey — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:28:27 +0000

Just a quick post as Memorial Day approaches. I shared this on my Facebook page and the response has been overwhelming so I wanted to share it here as well. Feel free to copy, share, pin, whatever you want to do with it as long as you leave the image in tact.

I can only hope that it will make people stop and think about the importance and significance of Memorial Day.

Of course, this is not meant to say you can’t BBQ or spend time with friends during the holiday weekend. I’m only asking that you remember WHY we have this day off and take a moment to pause to remember during your other activities. It’s the LEAST we can do to honor those who paid the price so we can spend this day however we please.