FORT KNOX called and I thought I was going to pass out!!!!!

[TessaNoel]

Fort Knox just called wanting to speak to my son.  He told me he was from the Military Processing Center and looking for Mason.  I thought I was going to pass out!!!

 I told him that Mason is supposed to be at Ft Jackson, South Carolina, for basic training and he had me really concerned now because I had not heard a word from my son since he left yesterday morning.  You should have heard this man stuttering and stammering then!  He told me that he was sure that Mason had arrived and was just processing.  He verified that they do let the soldiers make a call home once they have processed.  He said he would call his recruiter and verify that Mason arrived safely!  He told me that Mason would probably call tomorrow or Friday if he left yesterday morning.  So . . . I am feeling somewhat better now!

What are the odds of receiving a phone call like this when I'm waiting to receive a phone call from my son letting me know he's arrived at basic and doing okay?  The odds are probably a zillion to one!!!

I figured it was safe to ask him about Mason since HE called ME looking for my son!!!

[TessD]

Jun. 4, 2008 at 10:23 PM Keep us posted!!

[Mama2Cailleigh]

Jun. 4, 2008 at 10:38 PM Phew that has to suck! In Reception the drills generaly let them call first or second night--I went to Jackson for basic. He'll be there for a week or so, if nothing goes wrong(ie screwed up teeth or paperwork lost) and then off to his company where they will probably let him call that first night or first Sunday. Tell him that the AAFES troop store sucks, send him what he needs, they are so expensive you could go through you rwhole paycheck on toothpaste and mouthwash and tell him to get stamps at the reception store as he won't get to got to the troop store for at least two weeks. Aklso tell him to buy the best damned insoles they have and send him plenty. The Army(swear!) has imported every fricking spare grain of sand form Iraq just for us to march on. it sucks. Also, tell him Victory tower rocks, you are completely safe and in the NBC chamber just breathe as soon as they ask you your name as they won't leave you alone till you do. Also tell him to watch out on the fit to win course--I sprained an ankle real bad becaus ethe holes are covered with leaves and grass and you can't see them. Also tell him to start working out now as it sucks when you get to your company after a week of nothing but processing and eating. His first PT test will suck but he will make it! I can tell you how and what to smuggle in to him to help  him pass it. nothing illegal just caffein powders. Also tell him to get powdered laundry soap as the liquid will break and leak and Drills will sling it across the room if you leave your locker open. the DFAC food rocks, watch out for hot a's they will have you on the crapper for a day and a half, don't eat just the peanut butter and crackers in the MRE< you will end up in sick call for three days getting enemas, get the veggis bbq burger MRE the burger is great and comes iwth the most awesome brownie, the chicken salsa MRE sucks but somes with skittles or M&M's. Start getting ready to hydrate every night and don't dump the canteen because nine times out of ten, they won't catch you but on the tenth they willa nd the punishment sucks. Learn to love moutain climber s now, you will do them a lot, don't whine, NEVER go to sick call unless you are literally steps from death's door. Motrin doesn't work and that's all they give you so learn to suck it up, Puguls are great just remeber the gear is bulky as hell and hard to move around in, UAC is fun be careful of the rear neck and choke--a battle of mine broke her ankle with that, I can tell him how to make a basketball and hoop if he needs something to do on Sundays. If he gets Charlie 323 I will let him know where to hide his contraband(everyone has them) never keep it on him--they do health and welfare and it sucks to be caught with that crap. Love your rifle--it rocks. The range for BRM is awesome and you go there three days in advance so don't worry about qualifying and in AIT you get to do it again so don't sweat a crappy score. Grenades are cool, they won't hurt you but it does feel different from lobbing a baseball so prepare yourself, Anzio is dumb, the stuff you need to know they will teach you in the final week of AIT, MIC at Nite is the funnest thing you will ever do, just make sure you helmet fits right or it will fall over your eyes and you won't be able to see. The live rounds are not close enough to hit you, but stay down anyways, or you will get torn a new one by the drills, the marches are sucky but if you just keep with it, I swear you will always remember them as awesome(I thought my last one was the most spiritual experience ever and still do) on the marches try and get an MRE with candy and pop one in your mouth whenever you feel like you are getting tired it will help. Hook your magazine in your rifle belt to where you can rest yoru arms on it but move them quickly to "hold" it when drills come by. Land nav is great, but don't give the compass to an idiot. Okay that's about all I can think of at the moment. Let me know if he needs any more advice and I will write it up!

[debinmich]

Jun. 4, 2008 at 10:49 PM WOW!  I would have felt like passing out myself!   Here you are waiting to hear from your son when this man calls looking for him.  I know you didn't need to hear that!  I am glad to hear you are doing somewhat better now.  My prayers continue to be with you.  ((HUGS))

[armywife814]

Jun. 5, 2008 at 2:34 PM

Don't; be scared about the phone calls from people who aren't there with your son...the Army always makes mistakes like that....my mom also received a phone call when i left for basic (army) and was worried just like you...basic is a very stressful time for some soldiers you are trying to remember everything the drill sergeants told you and trying not to let the idiots screw things up for you...your son is probably in reception right now that is where they pretty much wait to actually go to there company and begin training...i went to basic in fort leonardwood Missouri but I'm pretty sure it may be the same in Jackson....don't be surprised if your son is only able to talk to you for a few minutes when he calls for the first time...i believe my phone call was only for like 5 minutes because there is a line behind you of soldiers waiting to call their families..i have to agree with mama2cailleigh on sending your son stuff he will need to insure that he has everything he needs...buying this at the troop store can get extremely expensive...so it is a good idea to send your son envelopes, stamps, laundry soap (i would suggest individually wrapped powdered laundry soap) baby wipes (for when he goes to the field) baby powder (chafing on the legs is the enemy especially for guys) toothpaste and brush...pretty much the essentials....your son could easily blow through his whole paycheck with one stop at the store.... i also had my mom send me mole skin patches because you are on your feet constantly that blisters are inevitable...also write a lot of letters getting letters in basic is like Christmas and getting care packages are even better...hopefully you hear from your son by this weekend and if you don't rest assure that he will be fine..the drill sgts are very skilled at what they do or else they wouldn't be put there to do it...god speed..

[spankyspouse]

Jun. 6, 2008 at 8:09 AM If your son filled out a security clearance application, that might have been what the call was about. I got a call like that after my hubby shipped out

[LancesMom]

Jun. 6, 2008 at 4:41 PM Have you heard from him yet? I am still thinking of you and praying!

[island_barb-200]

Jun. 18, 2008 at 3:39 PM OMG.........I KNOW I WOULD OF PASSED OUT,,I WILL KEEP HIM IN MY PRAYERS,,AND YOU,,DURING HIS TIME AWAY

[TessaNoel]

Jun. 18, 2008 at 4:13 PM

I want to update each of you and to say thanks for your concern, tips, and comments.  I really do appreciate your support!!!

June 6th - received a postcard from ds.  He wrote:  "Hey, I made it here safely."  UGH.....no "dear mom and dad", no "love", nothing.  Oh well . . . at least I knew he was there safely.  Plus, you would have to know him....he's a man of very few words. 

June 8th -  received my first phone call from ds on Sunday, June 8th.  He said that all he had time to say was that he had arrived safely.  In my excitement, I attempted to talk and ask questions.  He stopped me and said "Listen to me, momma.  I only have time to tell you that I have arrived safely."  So I stammed "I love you" and he told me he loved me and goodbye.  Hubby told me to calm down, that there was probably 200 of them standing in a line and waiting to make that one phone call home.

June 14 - Standing in the kitchen that afternoon and my cellphone rang.  Saw it was from South Carolina and answered it.  Imagine my surprise....it was ds calling home.  I couldn't believe it.  He said they had an exercise the previous day and the person that won would get the privilege of calling home.  It was the pugal (?) sticks (I call them the really huge Q-tips - that's what they look like).  Well, Mason won and got to call home.  He sounded so homesick plus he had tried to call his girlfriend and her cellphone was off.  I had a surprise for him . . . she was standing there in the kitchen with me!  So we both got to talk to him.  Oh, happy day for us to hear from him!!!!  He couldn't understand why no one had written him but I explained that we had not received a letter from him yet so we didn't have his address yet.

June 16th - received my 1st letter from ds!  I have read and reread them.  His letters were dated June 7th and June 8th but the postmark on the envelope is the 14th so apparently mail does not leave the base every day.  I already had a letter written to him and had hubby mail it at lunchtime to ds.

 June 17th - ds's girlfriend sent me a text message and she has received her 1st letter.  We are both on Cloud 9.

(Original Poster)

[MomVten]

Jun. 18, 2008 at 10:24 PM So happy for you! This brings back memories....now if we hear from Afghanistan every other week we are happy...Glad he was on the winning team with the pugal sticks!! You are good strong MOM! ~diana