Care packages and gifts are not allowed to be received during basic training. Trainees will know this ahead of time and this message must be relayed to their loved ones.
If a care package is sent to a trainee, it will be addressed in front of the training flight by the training instructor.
The package will either be thrown away (if it is perishable) or will be stored until the trainee finishes the course. Either way, there is no benefit to the trainee whatsoever but there may be embarrassment added to the already challenging experience.
Unfortunately, Basic training involves trainees learning to live without the added luxuries they are accustomed to. All trainees have the same equipment and goods, meaning that they are all equals.
This would be diminished with the allowance of care packages and unique added extras. So be sure to save any gifts until the trainee returns home or moves on from basic training.
What do you write in a letter to basic training?
The main tone of your letter should be positive and encouraging. You are looking to provide support and uplift the trainee receiving your letter during a tough time for them.
They will be away from their home and loved ones and will be put through their paces daily. Any letter received from home is treasured and will help the trainee remember why they are working hard and trying their best to succeed.
Here are some ideas to to help you decide what to put in your letter:
- Tell them how proud you are of them
- How much you miss them, but can't wait to see them graduate (help them focus on the end goal)
- Remind them of why they decided to join
- Tell them their friends said hi and what's going on back home
- Feel free to use some humor if it seems
- appropriate
I came across a really great free resource put out by Air Force Wing Moms. It's a weekly questionnaire to help your trainee document their BMT journey. Be sure to check out the AFWM website!
Trainees typically get about an hour to receive, read and reply to their mail so do not expect many replies, especially lengthy ones. Even if you do not get many responses back, your letters are still hugely important and you should still send as many as you can.
Although letters are private, the trainee may be required to open their letter in front of their superior if it feels like there is anything suspicious or bulky inside, such as photos.
What time is mail call in Air Force basic training?
Mail call is the time when trainees get to receive any mail that has arrived for them. Usually, mail call takes place in the evening, after an intense day of training, and serves as a much-needed pick-me-up for trainees.
During the first four weeks of basic training, trainees will be given a single postcard that is pre-printed with the new, temporary address on it. It is vital to make sure that whoever trainees choose to send this card to, the receiver can pass on the address to other loved ones that wish to stay in touch.
Mail call is normally on evenings Monday-Saturday and after roughly the first week of training, trainees are usually allowed an hour of free time to open their mail and to write any replies that they wish to send.
Don't be alarmed if you haven't received a letter from your trainee because there is not much time because it will depend on the performance of their flight. Overall though, there just isn't that much time to write.
Be sure to let your loved ones know this ahead of time and that they should still send their letters.
The loved ones of trainees need to send them as much mail as possible during their basic training as they will be grateful for the love, support, and well-wishes. Basic training is tough, to say the least, and will be different from anything that they have experienced previously.
It can boost their confidence and they can take courage from their loved ones’ words. They can take this precious and much-deserved time to appreciate why they are doing their training and remind themselves of why it is so important for them to succeed.
When can Air Force trainees write letters?
Typically, mail will arrive from trainees around week two or three. It can take a little while for trainees to settle into their new routine and also be able to fit in the time to write back to their loved ones.
Their nominated loved one will receive a postcard that has been pre-printed with graduation information and dates. It will also have the address on it of where the trainee can receive mail.
Trainees can write letters during mail call, which lasts for an hour every evening except for Sundays. During this time, trainees will have their names called out and they will receive any letters that they have been sent.
Trainees will then take their letters and read them. They can also quickly write replies during any time that they have left. Because their time is limited, they may not have time to write lengthy replies or to reply to everyone who has written to them.
The schedule in basic training is not flexible and every moment is accounted for. Trainees will not have any additional time allotted for reading/replying to mail. It would be best for trainees to reply to one letter and for that loved one to pass on the message to others.
Air Force BMT Mailing Addresses
320 Training Squadron
The 326the TRS is where you'll spend Airman's Week following your graduation of Basic Training. There is no mailing address listed...probably because you are only here for a week before you ship out to your Technical School.
Here's a great video by Mikeekay with additional information! Be sure to subscribe to her channel.