Topic: When can you expect weekends off in BMOQ?

[Mandy55]

My fiance is currently in BMOQ in St Jean, Quebec. I'm having a really hard time, and I was wondering if anyone knows when they usually start getting weekends off, and how many he will get? I know there is a 4-5 week indoc period where he can't leave, but after that, how often will I be able to visit him?

I apologize if this has been answered already - I searched this site and didn't find the answer, and I checked a few Army Wife forums with no luck. Thank you.

[CDN Aviator]

Maybe every weekend, maybe none.............

[2010newbie]

As posted above, it depends on the staff and performance of the platoon. That being said, it is usually the 5th weekend that is the first weekend off. Our staff told us after the weekend passed that a platoon has to really screw up to not get that 5th weekend off. Also, it seemed as though the 6th weekend most of the platoons this summer were on duty which limited the ability to leave CFLRS. After that, there wasn't any pattern and we wouldn't know until 5 pm on Friday whether or not we had leave for the weekend.

[Mandy55]

Thanks for the replies.
He just flew out to Montreal on Saturday. When do you think he will get a chance to call home? I know they are kept very busy, so is it unlikely to hope for a call within the first 5 weeks?

[Ayrsayle]

You are in luck - I am currently on said BMOQ as we speak and can give you details. Typing from a phone so please bear with me. It is my understanding (had the briefing tonight) we will be able to call home and use personal phones even during this first period as long as our other duties are met. This may change however without warning.  Would you like me to find him and get him to call you? (grins)

[Mandy55]

Thank you for the offer, Ayrsayle, but that's okay. He will call the first chance he gets. Unfortunately, he didn't take his cell phone because he assumed they would be taken away for those first 5 weeks. So I guess I'll have to wait until he gets a chance to use the payphone (or whatever they have there).
Thanks so much for your reply.

[PuckChaser]

Thank you for the offer, Ayrsayle, but that's okay. He will call the first chance he gets. Unfortunately, he didn't take his cell phone because he assumed they would be taken away for those first 5 weeks. So I guess I'll have to wait until he gets a chance to use the payphone (or whatever they have there).
Thanks so much for your reply.

Unfortunately you're going to have to deal with periods without contact as a military spouse. The best way to deal with it, is to trust that he'll call as soon as he can, and that no news is good news. Trust me, he probably wants to talk to you more than you want to talk to him just to get out of course mode for even 5 minutes.

[Mandy55]

I know We talked about this before he left and I don't expect to hear from him for a long time. I'm just having a hard time right now and was hoping to hear some good news (though I know it's very unlikely).
For some reason, it makes me feel a little better to have talked to someone who is there with him, even though they might not know each other. I appreciate everyone replying, especially so quickly!

[ballz]

Did he leave Saturday as in yesterday or a week ago?

The first week or two is definitely the busiest (well... partly because you aren't used to managing your time the same way and whatnot as well), but after that I never had any real problems getting a phone call out... yeah, you're busy at night, but there's definitely 5 minutes to spare here and there for phone calls and such on pretty much any given night... the problem is a lot of people expect to be able to call home for an hour a night which is not only ridiculous but also blades all your buddies who are trying to get the night's work done.

[Ayrsayle]

We were all good and accounted for this evening. Save for the one individual who did not meet up with the group for the meeting. The warrant had words for him. Rest of us are fine (grins). Food is good, lines are long, and tomorrow is paperwork!  i'm sure he's good.

[Mandy55]

He left yesterday. We were told at his Swearing In ceremony that there's not many phones, so there will be lots of guys who get homesick and are more desperate to call home first (unfortunately for me, he's not one of those guys).
I have another question: Are they only able to use the phone after supper? I've seen a general schedule of their day, and I'm assuming they can't call home during lunch or between classes, correct?

Ayrsayle, can I ask how many recruits are there? I have no idea if it's 50, or more like 1,000. Also, I believe he has an iPod or something like that which has internet access. Would he be able to email me with that? Or are cell phones the only electronics allowed?

[CDN Aviator]

He left yesterday. 

You need to learn to relax a bit. I mean that in the most constructive way possible. He only left yesterday.

Are they only able to use the phone after supper?

Students are normaly pretty busy until 11pm in the initial stages of training.

and I'm assuming they can't call home during lunch or between classes, correct?

You are correct.

I believe he has an iPod or something like that which has internet access. Would he be able to email me with that?

As far as i know, there is no Wifi in the quarters for him to use.

[Mandy55]

Haha yes, I'm very emotional. I guess the first few days are the hardest. I was hoping he would be able to email me, since cell phones are allowed, but oh well. Do you think he would at least be able to keep his iPod, so he can have a little break from the course to listen to music?

[PMedMoe]

After doing a very quick search here, it seems the use of things like iPods, cell phones, etc, varies from course to course.  Some had them taken away for the first few weeks, some were allowed to have them after 6 pm and on weekends.

[Scott]

Speaking as someone who works away half of the time...I am always happy to see that my wife can make it through my time gone without a bunch of hand wringing and desperation for communication. We value what avenues we do get: a weekly phone call or daily emails. I can't always call or write because of little things like work - much the same as I am sure your boyfriend is going through right now.

And speaking from experience with one of those hand wringers: it only stresses me out more when my partner can't handle the seperation. Please about that.

He'll call or write when he can, worrying about when, if and how will only turn you into one of "those" spouses. We all know someone who has had their spouse call the duty shack because Bloggins hasn't phoned home in 2.873 hours and Spouse is convinced the big bad army killed him or that he's screwing everything in a skirt.

relax, he's got a long time to go and he will appreciate the support.

[dogger1936]

I wasnt allowed a cell phone!! .....Then again....it woulda been manpack sized at the time I'm sure!

[chase429]

Cellphone use, and other electronic devices can be used but it depends on the instructor. I have had instructors who had a no cell phone policy unless you where on leave and than you could take it from civie lockup. That being said The first 4 weeks are the most intense, this is when phone calls will be not as frequent after that depending on your instructor you should have plenty of time to make a quick phone call and if he is in the mega which i assume is the case since its St.Jean finding a free pay phone is sometimes hard to do.

[CDN Aviator]

since cell phones are allowed,

Maybe, maybe not. As mentioned, this will be up to the course staff that he gets. He's not gone to some civilian education facility with a dorm room where he does whatever he wants. All 24 hours of his day are controlled by someone else.

Do you think he would at least be able to keep his iPod, so he can have a little break from the course to listen to music?

He will have plenty to do. Again, he is not attending some university. He likely will have time for that but you can expect him to go from work, directly to sleep more than willingly, at least for a while.

[liams mom]

To add to what Scott said:

My DH and I have 20 years of military family life behind us. Don't waste your time trying to find out answers to the when and how questions. Useless to do so. My DH always calls when he can and always let's me know whats going on as soon as he knows for sure. Sometimes that means he calls me from his car to say "hey babe , guess what? I am coming home right now." Even his afghan deployment was like that. We have learned not to second guess or try to figure stuff out. It wastes energy and you always end up surprised anyways! Good luck to you and your sweetheart. Breathe!

[Mandy55]

Maybe, maybe not. As mentioned, this will be up to the course staff that he gets. He's not gone to some civilian education facility with a dorm room where he does whatever he wants. All 24 hours of his day are controlled by someone else.


He will have plenty to do. Again, he is not attending some university. He likely will have time for that but you can expect him to go from work, directly to sleep more than willingly, at least for a while.

When I said "cell phones are allowed", I was referring to the poster above who said they are in St Jean with him right now and cell phones are allowed. And the "break" I was referring to is after supper, before he goes to bed. I know his schedule is busy; I know he can't call me in the middle of the day.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I want to make clear that I'm not freaking out and it's not that I'm "unable to handle the separation". He got his offer very last minute (only a week before his flight to Montreal) so we didn't have time to figure out these little questions. I apologize if this isn't the place to ask questions about this kind of stuff.

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Its the perfect place, one thing you might have to get used to is most military people don't sugar coat things to placate you.....it's blunt and 'right there'.

Good luck.

[Scott]

To expand on what Bruce said, and perhaps make myself a little more clear...

Many of us have seen all manner of things among troops while training. I have no clue what your relationship is like so I can only be presumptuous. It's not a slag against you or trying to cast doubt - just me covering all bases.

Just be patient and spend whatever time you do get to write/speak with him to talk about things that matter - not talking about when he is going to call/write next or why he hasn't called/written in X days/weeks/hours/seconds. Nothing used to piss me off more than working my tail off and finding a nastygram about how I was an ******* for not calling when she thought I should call.

I have a superstar in my wife. She never complains so long as she knows I am safe. She handles the day to day and month to month business items and she has also handled some biggies like the purchase of our house - she has POA for me and had to sign the contract because a competing offer came in...all while I was in a Scottish hospital having kidney stones taken care of. And that's just one example.

So it's not just some emails and telephone calls that make me feel good while away, it's how she goes about her daily life and how she has her own things to keep busy and pass the time. Yes, it sucks big bags of dinks that I have to go away, but the time passes much more quickly when you're happy. Miss him all you want, but don't be miserable.

[ballz]

And the "break" I was referring to is after supper, before he goes to bed. I know his schedule is busy; I know he can't call me in the middle of the day.

There often isn't a "break" before bed, especially in the first few weeks.... Sometimes classes go until 7:30 or 8:00PM, and there is usually an inspection every morning for the first few weeks, so as a platoon they've got to clean all the quarters plus get their own stuff cleaned and folded and ironed and sorted out, all before 11:00PM (cause that's lights out). Then they're up at 5:00AM again for PT and a brand new day of awesomeness.

And it's very frowned upon by your peers to be in the hallway on the phone while the rest of your platoon is slaving away at this kind of stuff...

[megsy]

There are two payphones in each elevator bay of the Blue Sector - depending on where his platoon is, and how they are spread out, there could only be two phones for about 45-60 candidates.  If he's lucky they may have access to four phones (if they are spread out into two elevator bays/staircases)... so there's not a lot of access.
Also, cell phone access depends on the platoon.  This summer, my platoon barely had access to their cell phones until week 8 while the other platoons got to keep them from the get-go.  It depends on the staff, on the Warrants, on the Platoon Commander.   There was even a platoon that wasn't allowed to use the pay phones on their floor except on weekends...

[Mandy55]

There are two payphones in each elevator bay of the Blue Sector - depending on where his platoon is, and how they are spread out, there could only be two phones for about 45-60 candidates.  If he's lucky they may have access to four phones (if they are spread out into two elevator bays/staircases)... so there's not a lot of access.
Also, cell phone access depends on the platoon.  This summer, my platoon barely had access to their cell phones until week 8 while the other platoons got to keep them from the get-go.  It depends on the staff, on the Warrants, on the Platoon Commander.   There was even a platoon that wasn't allowed to use the pay phones on their floor except on weekends...

Thanks! That was very specific and helpful! I appreciate you telling me all this.

[SentryMAn]

Hi Mandy;

I had a very difficult Staff on my basic.  We had a Warrant that had just received a Cellular phone 2 months prior to our BMOQ so Cellular/computer use was off limits(even in the Approved sectors) during the weeks we were there.

We were allowed access Friday 5pm - Sunday 6pm.

Now as for calling we were a platoon of 60 candidates with 4 pay phones to use.  I was able to call my wife almost every night I was in Garrison, and only periodically while in the field.

It was extremely nice to talk to my wife while I was there but I will warn you now that you may not like what you hear from your spouse the first 5 weeks as they will stress out the candidates to attempt to break the ones who are not there for the right reasons.  Try and I say this as I don't know your situation, try no stay positive when they call you, try to not impose your feelings of wanting them home with you and not there doing what they want to do.  I hope that makes sense.

When it came to visits, we rented a hotel in Montreal downtown and had one of the most memorable weekends we've had together, it was simply amazing seeing her after being apart.  The worst part is she drove 9 hours to see me and was waiting outside to pick me up before I even knew if I was going to be leaving the Barracks for the week end.

Life post BMOQ is nothing like Saint Jean.

[PMedMoe]

We had a Warrant that had just received a Cellular phone 2 months prior to our BMOQ

so Cellular/computer use was off limits(even in the Approved sectors) during the weeks we were there.

Color me stupid, but I don't see what one has to do with the other.   

[ballz]

I was able to call my wife almost every night I was in Garrison, and only periodically while in the field.

You were able to call home from the field?! How??

[SentryMAn]

Field as in While in the hard shacks adjacent the Showers and Mess in Farnham.

I was not able to call home during Pre-vimy and Vimy Field EX. 

Cell phones and computer use were counseling items if we were caught using them during Monday-Friday the first 5 weeks, even using the Computer stations in the common sectors.  After the first 5 weeks we were limited to using Cellular phones to the week ends and they were locked up Monday-Friday with our Civilian attire.  Some platoons were allowed their phones/computers after working hours during the week we were not.

I look back on Basic and think it was a wonderful experience, you quickly make friends and find out those you can trust in the first few weeks.  We had a great section that worked extremely well together.  One of our Section is currently serving a tour in Afghanistan fresh off his phase training.

Best of luck.
Please let me know if you have any other specific questions.

One last thing too, Send candy/chocolate bars to him.  Make sure there is enough for the platoon and staff.  It will get him some really good brownie points with everyone, lol