To a Senior Cadet: there are a number of postings by parents on Webguy's forums saying that they have received a letter (or maybe a couple) from their Basic saying that as of late last week their Basic had only been to their mail box once or maybe not at all. It would be a help to parents if one of the senior Cadets could explain how mail pick up works during Basic (and at Jack's Valley) so that parents could be referred to this site for that info. I know this will differ by squadron but some general info about how mail pick up works would help to answer a number of questions that have been posted. Thanks for your help!
Please explain BCT mail pick up
- Thread starter dohdean
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hornetguy
15-Year Member
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Mail depends on the cadre usually. IIRC, mail pick-up in first BCT is time dependent. If a flight has some time with no training requirements, mail is something they might do. Some flights get mail more often than others. Nature of the beast. During 2nd BCT, the cadre will pick up the basics mail from the mailroom and bring it to them in Jack's. I can't remember how often they can do that.
ds52262
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This far in that is not likely, but like Hornet said it is currently "time dependent", some squadrons are closer to the mailroom and some further away. They are on a very rigid time schedule. When 2BCT arrives things might pickup for them.
The Basics are very busy. You may only get a few letters over the time they are in BCT. It can easily come down to a choice between sleep/rest or writing a letter. We got 4 letters during our daughters time, and she later said it was very hard to write those.
The importance of your letters to your Cadet cannot be overstated. It will sustain them through a difficult time.
The Basics are very busy. You may only get a few letters over the time they are in BCT. It can easily come down to a choice between sleep/rest or writing a letter. We got 4 letters during our daughters time, and she later said it was very hard to write those.
The importance of your letters to your Cadet cannot be overstated. It will sustain them through a difficult time.
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Indeed, I keep hearing this and have been sending letters every day as a result. Now I hear the basic's capacity to receive mail is time dependent. This is disturbing to say the least
Christcorp
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It shouldn't be disturbing. We all know that we, as parents, receiving letters/post cards from our son/daughters means a lot to us. But your son/daughters receiving letters from you is much more important and means a lot more to them. Whether they get the chance to go to the post office and get a letter every day; or they get to the post office every third day and receive 3 letters at one time, it means more to them than you can believe. Savoring 3 letters for 3 days is a psychological HIGH for your son/daughter. They understand that they don't get to the post office every day. But if they do finally get to the post office after 2-3 days and there's NOTHING in the mail box...... "I tear up right now just trying to convey to you the feeling in their stomach". It's indescribable. You have your normal life; albeit without your son/daughter there. It's your son/daughter that is in a new environment with a lot of time constraints. They know they can't write every day. And they truly believe that you understand that.
But don't ever think because they went 2 days without checking mail that they are distraught or depressed. It's a team. If they didn't get to the post office for 2 days, neither did the guy/girl next to them. But when they DO get there, it is IMPERATIVE that there be something in that mail box. In our family, I arranged with my wife, daughter, and son's girl friend that each of us would write AND MAIL a letter on particular days. We were free to write more often or even every day. But we NEVER let one day go by where at least one letter wasn't mailed out. Sometimes my son got to the post office every day for a few days. He always got at least 1 letter. Some days he didn't get there for a couple/three days and he came back with 4-5 letters. And he specifically told us of other basics that practically NEVER received a letter the entire time. I'm telling you; there is no way to explain that feeling. I had that feeling. I didn't know it, but the post office changed my box number by one number, and I didn't receive mail for 3+ weeks. Granted, I felt better when it got straightened out and I received about 15 letters. But every day I checked the mail box and it was empty;;;;; SO WAS I. And it really hurt.
Anyway; keep those letters going. They will get them. They'll pile up. They'll read and re-read them numerous times as they wait for the next one. If you can get others to write, that's also good. You don't have to pretend you know what they're going through. Let them tell you. Until they graduate from basic, you're the ONLY thing that they can even relate to as being NORMAL. Oh, and if you think this is bad, imagine what it's like being in Iraq, Afghan, Saudi, etc... and not seeing letters for days/weeks at a time. Best of luck..... Mike......
But don't ever think because they went 2 days without checking mail that they are distraught or depressed. It's a team. If they didn't get to the post office for 2 days, neither did the guy/girl next to them. But when they DO get there, it is IMPERATIVE that there be something in that mail box. In our family, I arranged with my wife, daughter, and son's girl friend that each of us would write AND MAIL a letter on particular days. We were free to write more often or even every day. But we NEVER let one day go by where at least one letter wasn't mailed out. Sometimes my son got to the post office every day for a few days. He always got at least 1 letter. Some days he didn't get there for a couple/three days and he came back with 4-5 letters. And he specifically told us of other basics that practically NEVER received a letter the entire time. I'm telling you; there is no way to explain that feeling. I had that feeling. I didn't know it, but the post office changed my box number by one number, and I didn't receive mail for 3+ weeks. Granted, I felt better when it got straightened out and I received about 15 letters. But every day I checked the mail box and it was empty;;;;; SO WAS I. And it really hurt.
Anyway; keep those letters going. They will get them. They'll pile up. They'll read and re-read them numerous times as they wait for the next one. If you can get others to write, that's also good. You don't have to pretend you know what they're going through. Let them tell you. Until they graduate from basic, you're the ONLY thing that they can even relate to as being NORMAL. Oh, and if you think this is bad, imagine what it's like being in Iraq, Afghan, Saudi, etc... and not seeing letters for days/weeks at a time. Best of luck..... Mike......
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it can also be used as a motivator since it is time dependent. there is no time worked into the schedule for us to take them, so we have to make time. i often use drill time or room set-up time to visit the mailroom. however, if they aren't up to par in drilling or their rooms stink because they've been loafing around, then i let them know they aren't going to the mail room b/c they need to fix their rooms. it's usually a pretty big motivator to get things done quickly and on time.