• T Minus 11

“When Will My Trainee Call?” – What to Expect About Communication During Basic Training

Phone calls during Army Basic Training are a privilege, not a guarantee—most Trainees only get a few chances to call, often on Sundays, and those calls can be very short. The one form of communication you can count on is mail, which becomes their lifeline and a powerful source of encouragement from home. Keep writing, keep supporting, and when that phone finally rings, it will be a moment worth every bit of the wait.

Let’s face it—today’s generation is wired for connection. With smartphones practically glued to our hands since childhood, we’ve gotten used to instant messaging, video calls, and real-time updates. So when a Trainee steps into the world of Army Basic Training, where communication is earned, not expected, it can feel like a major adjustment—for them and for you.

One of the most common questions we hear at Sandboxx is:


“When will I get a call from my Trainee?”

We hear you—and we wish we could say “soon” or “daily.” But here’s the reality: phone calls during Basic Training are a privilege, not a promise. Your Trainee is in the middle of a life-changing transformation, laser-focused on becoming a United States Soldier. And that means they’re learning to prioritize discipline, focus, and resilience—sometimes without the daily comfort of a phone call.

Phone Calls: What You Can Expect

Trainees usually have the opportunity to make calls on Sundays—but it’s never guaranteed. That’s why we always encourage supporters to turn your ringer up on Sundays and keep your phone close. If your Trainee earns the privilege to call, Sunday is your best shot.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • They will be afforded the opportunity to call you once they arrive to Reception at the base they are attending Basic Training.
  • Once they finish their processing in Reception (3-5 Days) they will ship to their Basic Training unit and normally give you a very quick call to notify you of their arrival and the unit they are in.
  • If allowed, they’ll be given a short window to use their phones.
  • They’ll likely try to reach as many loved ones as possible during that time.
  • We don’t know who they’ll choose to call—it could be you, a parent, a spouse, or a friend.
  • If their platoon fell short on expectations that week, they may lose phone privileges altogether.

Important Reminder: Drill Sergeants are shaping civilians into Soldiers. If the group needs a little extra motivation to stay on track, one of the first privileges to go is—yep, phone time.

But There’s One Guarantee: Mail Call

While phone calls are hit-or-miss, mail call is a promise. Your letters will be the lifeline your Trainee counts on. It’s how they stay encouraged, grounded, and connected to the people cheering them on from home.

At Sandboxx, we make letter writing easy and fast—because we know how powerful a message from home can be.

So if you’re feeling disconnected, don’t worry—you still have the most powerful communication tool of all: your words. Keep writing. Keep supporting. And when that phone finally rings, it’ll be a moment worth the wait.

Their mission is to become a Soldier. Your mission is to cheer them on.

I will be back next week with some more tips and help!

SGM Kris Broadus, U.S. Army (Retired)