Calls Home

[NOLA-Mom]

My son has been gone 2 and half weeks (left Jan 14th). I didn’t think I’d be receiving any calls yet because I haven’t received any letters from him or forms yet. I just realized I received two calls but it said “Telemarketer” so I didn’t answer. Do the calls ever come from boot camp with that description? I will cry if it was him and I didn’t answer!!!

[Laura]

Not sure.  Mine said Waukegan, IL.

[Naadia]

They say Pay Phone Waukegan IL from a 847 area code

[Chipmunk]

NOLA-Mom - we usually recommend that you answer all calls. It has been 2+ years since my son was at BC but the first time he called, it did not say IL, it was something else. I assumed it was because of the calling card he used. Then the next time he called, I think it showed as IL. 

BelovedbyHIm - always says - If it is a telemarketer, you can just hang up on them!!!

Hopefully, you have your voicemail set up on your phone and you can leave a message that tells your son to call you back if you missed him, but that is up to you. My son's calls came on Saturday afternoon, but the timing can vary due to when the RDC's are able to get the phone banks.

[partyofseven]

Welcome Nola-Mom,

I didnt receive my first call from mine until 3 weeks in to BC. It was on a Saturday and my calls came from a Chicago area code. I would answer all calls from now on and if it is a telemarketer like Chipmunk said then hang up on them. I didnt have any weird  numbers, they all came from Chicago. BNH's to you. 

[Tammy⚓️Girl]

NOLA-Mom, I received all calls on my cell phone and did not see telemarketer, don't think I ever have on my cell phone.  If my memory serves me correctly I remember seeing an area code 847 ??

[Jeanie]

All of my calls always said “”pay phone “ with 847 area code (Chicago) But I agree , just answer every call just in case !

[sunflower]

Like other have said, answer every call. You can always hang up.Depending on your service provider, it may or may not say pay phone. All of our calls came from 847, however, if your SR is calling from an office and not the phone banks if could from any of several other area codes. Originally all the Chicago area was 312 before they started overlaying 7 other area codes. The other likely ones to see are 224 & 872. We have family in the area and none of them have the same area code, not even when they live in the same house.

[Northwoodsmom]

My son left a week before yours and we just got the phone call today. He said they had to wait a week for his division to fill up so they are a week behind. Just hang in there and keep your phone with you, I was outside shoveling snow so I missed the call but then he called his dad's phone and we both got to talk. You will treasure that call so try not to miss it.

[NOLA-Mom]

Thanks for all the info. I just got off the phone with him!!!!! I’m so excited to have talked to him. Feel like I’m on cloud 9! Lol

[NOLA-Mom]

Does anyone know if they are able to make anymore phone calls or do you just get the “three week call”?

[Chipmunk]

NOLA-Mom, I think the number of phone calls home, can vary, depending on how the division is doing and whether or not they can get time at the phone bank. It also may depend on how large the TG is. With my son, he actually told me he would call again in 3 weeks, so we had a 3 week call, a 6 week call that come one the same day and about the same time as the 3 week call and then we had the "I'm a sailor" call - that my son did not even tell me he had passed BST-21, instead he asked if we had left already (we were driving for 2 days), so I thought he had failed!!! 

Any calls before the 6 weeks, would not necessarily be good news, so NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS, continues to hold true. So, it is just a wait and see situation. That might be something you could ask him in a letter and maybe he could give you a heads up, if he knows they might get another call.