Sending Letters to Trainees in Army Basic Training

Do you know someone who is currently at Army basic training, or will be there soon? Mail call is one of the most anticipated times throughout basic training, as trainees anxiously await to hear from loved ones back home. Your letters will be really important in keeping your trainee’s spirits high throughout their time in training. Don’t worry we’ll go over all you need to know about sending Letters to trainees in basic training.

How to Address a Letter to Someone in Basic Training:

Fort Jackson Mailing Address

Fort Jackson Address Format	Sample Address
PVT Last Name, First Name # PLT. (COMPANY) CO, #-## IN BN, ### IN BDE STREET ADDRESS Fort Jackson, SC 29207-####	PVT Doe, Jane R. 4th PLT ECHO CO, 1-13 IN BN, 193RD IN BDE 5482 JACKSON BLVD Fort Jackson, SC 29207-6100

Fort Benning Mailing Address

Fort Benning Address Format	Sample Address
Rank Last name, First name Roster Number X Co., X-XX Inf. Regt. Street address Fort Benning, GA 31905-####	PVT Doe, Jane R. 1st PLT B Co 2-10th Inf. Regt. 9000 Kinsman Drive Fort Benning, GA 31905-5919

Fort Knox Mailing Address

Fort Knox Address Format	Sample Address
Rank Last name, First name # PLT (Company) Co X/XXth INF REGT ## Rhineland Street Fort Knox, KY 40121-####	PVT Doe, Jane R. 1st PLT B Co 2/10th INF REGT 24 Rhineland Street Fort Knox, KY 40121-5117

Fort Leonard Wood Mailing Address

Fort Leonard Address Format	Sample Address
Rank Last name, First name X Company, 1/## IN BN Platoon (#) 495 Iowa Avenue, Unit # Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473-####	PVT Doe, Jane A Company, 1/48TH IN BN Platoon 1008 495 Iowa Avenue, Unit 13 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473-8958

Fort Sill Mailing Address

Fort Sill Address Format	Sample Address
Rank Last Name, First Name X Battery, 1-X FA Battalion # PLT #### Street Address Fort Sill, OK 73503-####	PVT Doe, Jane R. B Battery, 1-79 FA Battalion, 4th PLT 9000 Rothwell Street Fort Sill, OK 73503-3224

Items you can send to soldiers in basic training:

Letters.

Whether you are sending handwritten letters or using Sandboxx to send Letters to Army basic training, there is one thing for certain, you can never too many.

Your trainee, depending on whether they go through OSUT or BMT will spend 10-16 weeks with little to no communication with the outside world. They will be mentally and physically challenged throughout the duration of training, your Letters will play a vital role in their morale.

Care packages.

Sending care packages to basic training will vary by base and unit. It’s important to find out if your trainee can receive packages before you send one, you don’t want to get them or their unit in any unnecessary trouble.

Some items that you can include in care packages are stamps, pens, journals, and pencils. Learn more about additional items you can include in your care packages to basic training on the Army Mom Strong website.

Topics and ideas for basic training Letters:

As your trainee begins the transformation from civilian to Soldier they will undergo many challenges. They will be required to face their fears, get out of their comfort zones and prove they have what it takes to be a Soldier.

Writing Letters to your trainee will help keep their spirits high and help them push forward when they don’t think they can anymore. To help you become a basic training Letter expert we’ve put together a list of some ideas for basic training letters.

1.  What were your first thoughts when you got off the bus?
2. What time do your mornings start?
3.  How delicious is the chow?
4. What has been the worst thing about basic training?
5. If you could describe basic training in one word what would it be?
6. How many trainees are in your platoon?
7. What’s the name of one friend you’ve made, where are they from?
8. What is one thing your unit gets yelled at for the most?
9. What time do you normally get to sleep?
10. Have you been given a nickname?
11. Is there anyone in your platoon not receiving mail that I can write to?
12. Has it been hard to make your bunk perfectly?
13. What have you liked best about basic training?
14. What has been the funniest thing your Drill Sergeants has said this week?
15. What’s the best advice you have received at basic training?
16. What homemade/fast food meal do you miss the most?
17. Has basic training been what you expected it to be?
18. What is your wish list of bases you would like to be stationed at?
19. What’s the first thing you want to do after graduation?
20. Are you proud of yourself? (You should be!)

Need more help on what to write when sending Letters to basic training? Check out some of our other posts on ideas for basic training Letters.

Your Letters to your trainee don’t need to be long, and they don’t need to be fancy.  What’s important is that you’re sending mail to support them through this journey.

Sending Letters To Basic Training With Sandboxx

Sending Letters via the Sandboxx app will get your message and photos into your trainee’s hands within a couple of days (we overnight your Letters directly to the mailroom on base). We also include a pre-addressed return envelope with every Sandboxx Letter so your loved one can easily write you back!