Airforce Basic Training: Things to Know Before Your Husband Leaves

Saying goodbye to your husband for 6.5 weeks during Airforce basic training is no easy task. It's important to spend a lot of time together before he leaves because you won't be communicating with him much during his training. The day before and the day of his departure are the hardest, and you should celebrate the day before because he definitely won't be celebrating at training. Also, make sure you know any financial information you need to know before he leaves because you may not have a way to find it out after he's gone.

After my husband left for MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Command), I was distraught because I wasn't sure when I'd hear from him. It's important to keep your phone on you at all times because there is no designated time that he will call, and if you miss his call he won't get to call back for a while. He is required to call you during his first week of training, but it is only to let you know that he arrived safely and to give you his address. It will be a short conversation (my husband and I only received 5 minutes to talk). Do not expect too many calls, they are a luxury, and he may not get a chance to call you after his first call at all. My husband called me 3 times and each call was about 10-15 minutes. Also, don't expect your husband to be his normal self or to speak very lovingly since his T.I. (Training Instructor) will be standing behind him a lot of the time. He won't be able to receive any phone calls while he's there either. In emergencies you can contact your local American Red Cross to get a hold of him. Emergencies include the death of an immediate family member, and a birth announcement.

Before my husband left for training I figured he'd get to write me all the time; this is not true. His T.I. didn't give him any time to write at all, and the 5 letters he managed to mail out to me he wrote when he was supposed to be sleeping. It is important that you write your husband, though, since he will get to read your letters. Basic training is emotionally and physically taxing, and a letter from you will make him feel a lot better. It's also important to be positive in your letters; let your husband know how much you love him and how proud you are of him.

Do not mail any packages, this includes food and candy because he will not be allowed to keep it. Also, please take care what photos you send to your husband. He's required to report all photos to his T.I., and sometimes photos are passed among the group. Do not submit any incriminating photos of yourself. You do not want to give his Drill Sergeant any ammunition to use against him.

You should receive information on your husband's graduation by mail. If you choose to go to his graduation make reservations as fast as you can because other families will be traveling too. You will need to make hotel reservations because you cannot stay on base. As long as he meets the requirements, he will be given day passes to spend time with you during his graduation weekend. Definitely take him out and have a good time because he hasn't had a lot of fun lately. Keep in mind though, that he's not allowed to participate in too much PDA(Public Display of Affection). This includes hand holding and prolonged hugs, and he may get in trouble if he's seen doing this. This is ridiculous to me, but some of the Training Instructors take this very seriously. Overall, try to make it the best weekend possible to celebrate his graduation.

The 6.5 weeks are exceptionally tough to get through, but seeing him again after he graduates will make it all worth it. It's important to stay positive, and to write him as often as you can. Basic training is a hard and integral part of his Air Force training, so it's best to be patient and to look forward to the time when you'll allowed to be together again.