Sending letters.. what's okay what will catch trouble

[Stacy]

I'm getting conflicting messages. I have read it's okay to send cards in white envelopes... No glitter etc. I also read an idea for having people on Facebook leave a note of encouragement and mail that to our recruit. However... A friend on Facebook who has a son 3 years into hos Navy service told me that my recruit will be made fun of for cards and for a print out of encouraging messages from Facebook... Has anyone had experience with either of these one way or another? Thanks!

[Anti M]

Cards are fine, and the envelopes do not need to be white.  You can send a page of FB messages, although I think a personal note would be nicer.  Letters are easier to store though, they have very little space for extras.

Recruits always find a way to make fun of each other, the ones who do over cards are likely jealous or jerks who don't get mail.  It is distressingly like high school in that way.  

[tracysue10]

Just wondering as well...I read somewhere to send a zip lock baggie for them to keep their received letters in so that come inspection time they were not everywhere.  Can someone tell me if that is allowed and if anyone has done that?  I am ready to mail a letter with a baggie (med size fits in a reg envelope).  I hope that I won't get him in trouble.  Thanks

[spomss]

not sure about the baggie...think a large manilla envelope is more in keeping with what is allowable...

[Anti M]

Do NOT send the baggie.  That will be taken away.  Have him mail back some of the letters, or send a large folded up manila envelope.

[Eva]

My husband was able to get a clear velcro bag/thing it almost looks like a dry bag if you know what that is. Maybe that IS what it is now that I think about it.... I'm not sure. But he said he got it with his backpack. He put all of his letters in there.

I also sent address labels so he didn't have to write out our address every time he sent a letter. Saves time. 

As far as cards and things. As long as they aren't obnoxious,  music cards, they won't make a mess and they aren't offensive or crude. They'll be fine. I even sent funny little valentines (the kind kids give out in school) for my husband to give to his friends on valentines day, and it was fine. He loved them. 

[Stacy]

Aww...Eva that is so great that
you were able to do that for him! :-)

[Stacy]

Thanks Anti M... Yes I agree about the personal letters/notes. I have written at least something everyday. We did a send off party for him and I secretly had everyone there write a little note in a notebook. I made a copy of the pages and sent that to him. I was just baffled on this Facebook thing because I put the status update up asking if anyone would like to leave a note of encouragement for him and I would print and mail it. The navy mom 3 years in replied on it saying not to do that because it would catch the drill instructors attention and he would be made fun of. Rather confusing since the idea came from another Navy mom! :-)

[spomss]

think you are good sending what you planned on...and agree that there will be a reason for the grief-no mail, tons of mail, pics, no pics...you get the idea...and things change for every division-pretty sure your SR would let you know if he is getting any extra attention....

[Stacy]

Thank you spomss:-)

[Anti M]

The RDCs have better things to do than look at your FB page.  The warning is very true here though.  What happens is someone posts something in their PIR group or discussion forum, another loved one sees and and says something to their SR in a letter, and BAM!  It gets back.   What to be concerned about?  If your SR is doing something wrong, like writing at night after lights out, someone sees you post how many more letters you get ... and word gets back, the entire division loses a privilege.  Has it happened?  Maybe yes a few years back, but it is not impossible now.  There have been RDCs look over this site, but they are busy people and usually do not bother.  

What not to post on FB?  NEVER post their addresses openly, just as you would never post your own.  You can say what A school they will be attending, or where their orders send them, but avoid specifics such as ship name, and especially ship movements.  

Just learn what you can about PERSEC (personal security) and OPSEC (operational security).  Lots of crazy, bad folks out there unfortunately.  You have to balance being paranoid with being cautious.  

[Stacy]

Thanks for all the info, Anti M
I guess I wasn't too clear... I'm not concerned about someone seeing my FB page. I asked for my FB friends to leave messages of encouragement in one post (kind of like this here) and I was going to print those messages that I would then mail to my son. Then a mom told me not to do that because it would get attention from RDC's (in his mail not my FB page) and He would get made fun of. I actually have only given the address to grandparents because I don't want someone to send one of the definite "no no" items. If someone asks me for his address I use discretion in who I give it to.
:-)

[ktsmom96]

I have mailed my son a letter/card every day since he left for BC. (got his address from his recruiter) When he called on Saturday, I asked if anything I had done was not okay, and he said, "mom, relax, you are doing just fine". I have send moleskin and bandaids in some, and a calling card. I print a letter on the computer, and include a family photo on the paper with the letter. He said everything was just fine:)