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Navy Moms- I'm curious... I’ve been reading some conflicting answers about how often moms are able to contact their child in boot camp. What was your experience? Also, did you send a care package during their training? (If so, what did you send?)

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My son took pictures with him tucked in his Bible when he left 2/26 so I think they can have them
You can send a letter as often as you want. Letter, postcard. No pictures and no care packages. If the package is bulky or stiff like it might have a picture it will have to be opened in front of their RDC's. A older woman at church brought me some Little debbie Honey Buns to send my son while he was in boot camp. SHe didn't understand he coudl not have them. I cut the top off the box, and cut down a manila envelope to just that size and wrote a note that we'd bring them him when we came up for PIR. He had to open that in front of his RDC because they thought it might have a picture in it. Sharon PNM of Garrick
That is soo wierd because when i was in bootcamp I was aloud to have pictures.....
My son requested pictures and I sent them.
He said that he got them.
Graduating March 14th
Garrick must have a tough RDC. We were told photos are okay and can be hung in their lockers. My nephew just graduated yesterday and loved having photos of his family/girlfriend to help him get thru those tough days. No food at all is allowed, his grandma sent his favorite cookies to graduation for him and he was not allowed to take them back to the barracks after the ceromony. I think they check the bulky packages for food items.
I think they just have to open the envelopes that are stiffer than a letter or odd sized in front of the RDC so they can see the pictures and be sure they are allowed. Some wives/girlfriends have sent inappropriate pictures.
Sharon
You are right about that Sharon, the intial form letter addressed that - no inappropriate photos. I have not heard of any problems with family style photos but they do have limited space to keep things.
Hope you love the fine art of letter writing! You can write them every day and all day long and the more the better! But no care packages at boot camp. Only letters and cards; you can send jokes, or newspaper clippings but they are not allowed to have any type of food during this time. They want them on a healthy diet as they are training, recruits that get food are usually shown the package and then they get to watch as it is thrown away! If you have not sent your recruit with a phone card, send one. They will get phone calls home but often they have to be "earned" and you never know when to expect one. We got a five minute call on day 9 as my son had earned it. Load them up with mail, often it is all they have to look forward to!
thanks for letting me know about "earning" a phone call. My daughter has plenty of phone cards but we haven't heard a word from her. Does this mean she isn't doing well? What does a recruit do to earn a phone call? How???
I am dying to hear from her. I know she's fine. She is doing what she set out to do...but I do miss her deeply!!
It does not mean that your daughter is not doing well - more often than not it is a divisional thing - all or none get the phone call. So it is not specifically your daughter - and sometimes it is dependent on their specific RDC's. My son called home quite often compared to some other parents I have talked with - but he was dental yeoman and had reasons to be near phones. they also have a buddy system = no one goes anywhere alone. ONe time another recruit had a call home pass and my son was his "buddy" -so my son decided if this other kid was going to call home and he had to sit and wait on him - he was calling too! Don't get concerned just keep waiting. It was after at least the four or five week mark before he called more than once or twice!
thank you so much for your reply. You all provide me with calming information. . I am waiting like crazy. I have never been so out of touch with her. I am so proud of her decision but I am still mom, missing her and waiting to hear from her!! Everyone asks: How's Elizabeth? What do you hear? I have nothing to report! Thank you so much all the help.
Clearly Bonnie a recruit can be doing wonderful and may not get a phone call for weeks! In fact, some will tell you NO news is good news! It really does come down to the RDC and their division as awhole - its all about teamwork and if a couple of members of the team are not quite catching on yet it can delay everyone's phone call. Please don't worry about your daughter not calling, just write her that much more and know when you least expect...she will be on the other end of the phone!

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