Why does it take so long to get that first letter from my soldier daughter who just went to basic a week ago?

New Recruits have to in process with medical, dental, MOS (Military Occupational Speciality), contract, important paperwork overall. I remember that while we all were waiting, our Drill Sgt. explained Military rank, history, the phonetic alphabet, and many other topics. We marched everywhere, marched to chow(the food was always good), there was of action, movement, a very busy time. So, in the mean time, just stay busy and productive because your daughter will write to You, as soon as time permits.

I understand the need to want to communicate with your child but I would probably go ahead and take this time to get used to probably not being able to talk to her all the time. I know that they used to make them write a letter home to their parents on the first day of basic just to say that they were alive but I don't know if they do that anymore. It may also be the case that she hasn't started basic training yet; she may be sitting at the in-processing battalion awaiting placement into a basic training unit. There is a lot of things that go on before basic that not many people really know about. You don't just get off the plane and immediately start basic training though. Keep calm and relax. More than likely the mail is just slow.

Recruits are extremely busy in basic training the first few weeks. I don't even remember when I finally had time to write and send a letter when I went to basic. She will write you when she can. Also - she should have called most likely by now since they allow them access to their cell phones to make calls. When I came in, we had pay phones (2004) and we got a call at the beginning, in the middle and at the end.

Just bear in mind they keep us very busy in basic training to get everything done. If something major happened, the basic training unit she's in would call you.