CTC I-06 - I haven't heard from my Cadet!

[cadetspouse]

I am a new member to this board. I was hoping a recent Academy graduate or Officer could help me out with an inquiry I have. My spouse just started CTC I-06 this past Monday and I read and was told they could come home on Wednesdays and could use their mobile phones for brief periods each night. It is now three days past, and I haven't received a call, and no Cadet has arrived home this evening - Wednesday, March 8.

Can you please post here or "PM" me a quick note as to what goes on during their first five days, as in yelling, orientation, classes, PT, etc...? I am curious and would appreciate any insight others who have gone through the Academy can give me. I also would like to know if the Staff Office tells Cadets to not use their mobile phones at the Academy anymore. Thank you.

[Fire1]

As far as the experience goes, I can not give much insight there becuase I have yet to go, but I do know that there is no liberty given the first Wenesday. I would not worry too much. They have very full plate they are dealing with. I'm sure they are missing you about as much are you are them. Some others can probably give a little more insight into their actual experience.

[23109]

I graduated CTC III-05.

The first week he probably won't be able to use the cell phone at all, and he won't be having any liberty until Friday at 5pm.

He'll be able to fill you in on when he can make calls and such that weekend.

Think of it this way:

If you haven't heard from him in the first week, that is a very good thing. I know it's weird, but just trust me !

[14596]

If I remember right, made a quick 30 sec. call the first or second night and came home friday evening. Dont believe I got a wed night privlege for several weeks ! (started August 1995)

[SB 405]

From what I've heard from others here the first week is mostly taking care of administrative details.

[cadetspouse]

As far as the experience goes, I can not give much insight there becuase I have yet to go, but I do know that there is no liberty given the first Wenesday. I would not worry too much. They have very full plate they are dealing with. I'm sure they are missing you about as much are you are them. Some others can probably give a little more insight into their actual experience.

Thanks to all for the information. I wasn't aware that Wednesday Liberty cannot be taken during Week 1!

[btc]

There are many "dead" zones at the academy, this could be part of the problem. I used to have to go outside and away from my dorm room just to get mediocre service. You should hear from him on Friday, i would just hate that you panic and get the poor guy some good ol' unwanted attention in the first week. If you don't hear from him on Friday night then you may want to call the academy.

[cadetspouse]

i would just hate that you panic and get the poor guy some good ol' unwanted attention in the first week. If you don't hear from him on Friday night then you may want to call the academy.

I am not the type to panic. haahaa I am just super curious on what he is doing there. I helped him prepare physically and in other ways too (e.g., made flashcards to get him to memorize all his Aural Brevity Codes before he started on Monday). I just wasn't aware that Wednesday Liberty is not given the first week, and found it odd he didn't come home yesterday. I hope later on when he is able to use his mobile phone that our "usually" trusty Verizon Wireless service doesn't have a dead zone in his dorm room!

[Lucky Seven]

I will have to assume that he is trying to stay low on the "radar". I'm also fairly confident that he is overwhelmed with the workload and is very tired at night.

Don't start worrying until Friday night after 5pm.

As someone else stated, not hearing from him is a good thing.

[dw]

Cadets are generally not allowed to use cell phones the first week... As already stated, it may be a long time before your husband has Wednesdays off. Plan on not seeing him and if you do get the chance (on a Wednesday), then great. Otherwise, consider it normal to be restricted.

[cadetspouse]

consider it normal to be restricted.

Thank you to everyone for your comments. dw- I will remember your advice that Wednesdays aren't guaranteed Liberty (I guess weekends aren't either). I am sure after this first week of adjustment, I will feel much better during the next 26 weeks!

[HwyChaser]

Cadetspouse, I wouldnt expect him every Wednesday. I recall only having Wednesday liberty about every other week. A few times I found out I was restricted just a couple of hours before liberty.

[proudCHPwife]

OK... It's been a while since I went through the academy (CTC I-02), but here is what I remember. You do not get Wednesday liberty until week 2. You will get liberty on Wednesday in week 2 unless you lose it (usually for gigs & blue cards). There is a little time to call, but sometimes it is harder to call home when you are so busy and exhausted. It is a difficult adjustment to be away from family. Calling home can make it worse. The first week you fill out benefit paperwork, etc. You also receive a stack of books, binders & HPMs (Highway Patrol Manuals), that seems never ending. From then on, weekends are yours unless you fail a test or discharge your red round in your gun (when he gets it, he will explain.) I did not lose a Wednesday until week 8, but my roomie served every Wednesday until week 8. Hard to say where your hubby will end up in that spectrum. My husband has 10 years on and it is a great career. Be proud, be understanding, and look forward to graduation.

[decon]

bad cell service in my dorm room did not have much time to make a phone call. plus the staff officers would be roaming the halls looking for straggling cadets talking on their cell phones indicating they dont have enough to do.

[dw]

Hopefully you've heard from your Cadet by now... If not, it may be time to worry. ;)