Are you able to write letters or get them during Basic?

Ryan Welch — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 14:14:38 -0500

Are you able to write letters or get letter during Basic?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 20 at 2018 2:22 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 14:22:56 -0500

We did in my day but that was long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. Still, I can't imagine any branch of the service blocking mail, inbound or outbound. Too many legal ramifications. Also, mail is and always has been an important morale booster.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 20 at 2018 2:25 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 14:25:11 -0500

Ryan Welch That was what Sundays were for Writing Letters and I Remember Mail Call in Boot Camp.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2018 2:28 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 14:28:23 -0500

Yes, I went through basic at 1994. Letters are important for morale.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2018 2:28 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 14:28:56 -0500

yes

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Feb 20 at 2018 2:34 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 14:34:14 -0500

Yes & Yes.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Feb 20 at 2018 2:56 PM

Sgt John Steinmeier — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 14:56:28 -0500

Yes. Just limited to letters though. No packages (at least for Army at Ft Sill) at all, so no pogey bait from home.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2018 3:09 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 15:09:58 -0500

We were required to write a letter home. But, that was when one used a stone and chisel to write.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2018 3:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 15:31:49 -0500

In basic it was always encouraged to write letters, it was a way to keep your mind clear from home things, and concentrate on your training to come.
Was proud to send the letters with your unit letter head.

Response by SPC David Willis made Feb 20 at 2018 4:08 PM

SPC David Willis — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 16:08:49 -0500

Yup, and you absolutely should. Id recommend keeping all of them to look back on years later too.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2018 4:09 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 16:09:21 -0500

We did over twenty years ago in the Navy...in fact, they kinda "pushed" you to write.

It's a new age, and who knows...but I'm with CPT Jack; it is a crucial part of keeping recruits on path.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Feb 20 at 2018 5:35 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 17:35:13 -0500

Yes, typically during "free time". I think we got about an hour each day for personal time. Just remember, you are there to train, so that hour could be better utilized correcting your deficiencies or making your next day slightly easier.

I did receive letters, but I think I only wrote 3 my whole 3 months gone. One to my dad, one to my mom, and one to my fiancée. Otherwise, my free time was spent prepping my uniforms, working out, practicing drill maneuvers or helping other recruits with discrepancies they might have had.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 20 at 2018 6:21 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 18:21:00 -0500

Yes we allowed to write home on Sundays during Basic and also had Mail call ,letters from home were prized ,later on the orange mail bags thrown off the choppers in Vietnam were lifesavers.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2018 6:49 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 18:49:22 -0500

Yes, it is even encouraged. You should be aware that you need to “find” the time to do so however, because you are learning a lot, and this takes quite a bit of time. So finding moments of downtime between studying or staying up later when you could be sleeping. Be wary of not getting caught however.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Feb 20 at 2018 7:05 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 19:05:23 -0500

It’s been years, since but I receive email or Facebook comments from my friends and family members that are in the military. Email or letters should be okay once your DI or platoon SGT tells you its okay after a week or so. Hope thats helps, also check with your local MEPS Office and Requiter for the latest update.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 20 at 2018 7:44 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 19:44:19 -0500

Yes. Be careful with packages. Some One else can elaborate

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Feb 20 at 2018 7:57 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 19:57:52 -0500

Yes & Yes. It's highly encouraged.

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Feb 20 at 2018 8:57 PM

CW3 Jeff Held — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 20:57:30 -0500

Sure you can. I strongly recommend that you write as many can to as many different people you know. It’s nice to get letters and to get you’ve got to send. Besides, maybe you’ll get some care packages from one or two!

Sure helps make the time go by.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 21 at 2018 7:03 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 07:03:18 -0500

I wrote and received letters once a week, during basic and A I T.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 8:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 08:10:09 -0500

In 1992 you could write letters and on that occasional Sunday that we got off, you could line up outside the pay phones and call home. Now in this day of cell phones not sure what they allow and don't allow.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Feb 21 at 2018 8:17 AM

SGT Eric Davis — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 08:17:09 -0500

Yep you able to write and receive letter everyday but that was also before they let trainees use cell phones in basic. In my day we had letter and pay phones! You know what a pay phone is?