To send letters back home

[Kae'lynn Ship 02Div 916]

Can i send my SR a manilla envelope address and stamped for him to send the letters back home so he has room for others? And about how many stamps should i place on it? Can I fold it up in a regular envelope?

[Betsy]

I just sent my son a manila envelope today. I folded it up and put it in a regular size envelope. I put 6 stamps on it and stuck a few more in there just in case he thought it needed more.

[NavyMom2013]

I did that, Kae'lynn

I sent the envelope folded in thirds inside a regular legal envelope.  I put $3.50 worth of stamps on the manilla envelope to hold all the letters I sent and 2 stamps on the white outside envelope.  One day he will be glad he got to keep those letters.

[lemonelephant]

Yes, you can send a Priority Mail envelope or large manila envelope with postage attached for your SR to mail back letters to free up space. Check with the post office on the amount of postage to use. Many fold it up and put it in a card envelope minus the card to keep the postage down or regular legal sized envelope, but the envelope would be permitted if the postage was more than regular postage.  Some send this in a small manila envelope and mark the outside of the envelope—“Envelope for excess letters.” Ask your recruit if it is needed because some have plenty of room in their A/B drawers and others don't. Some just like having a gallon-sized ziplock baggy or the envelope to organize their mail in their A/B drawer. I thought that info was in Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit, but it’s not, so I will add it.

[MIMI1414 ship 9 div 255]

Hi lemonelephant, my SR is asking me to send stationary and bigger envelopes, Can I send that in a manilla envelope?  or can that be sent at all. I also read where they can receive minimal make-up can I send foundation and mascara as well.?  Sorry if this question has been asked and I just don't understand what I need to send.

[lemonelephant]

Yes, you can send writing materials and foundation and mascara and you can send it in a manila envelope, but know that she will have to open it in front of the RDC, but there won't be a problem. Here is the list of approved make-up from Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit based on the uniform regulations and what I have seen requested: You can also send a small amount of make-up for the females that will "blend with natural skin tone and enhance natural features." The most often requested items are a small amount of foundation (some have specified the cake type) or face powder, 1 blush, 1 eye shadow in a neutral shade, 1 mascara (black or brown), 1 eyebrow/eyeliner pencil (black or brown), 1 lipstick in a conservative color, and 1 small hand lotion or face lotion. She cannot have the make-up until just before pictures, which is 4-4 DOT, so send that about 3 weeks before PIR.

[Denise (Ship12 Div376) AECF-FC]

Yes, you certainly can. I did that by folding one in half and put it in another. I pre-addressed it, put postage on it (extra , of course), and sent it on.

[Kae'lynn Ship 02Div 916]

So do I send the Manila envelope in a regular envelope?

[lemonelephant]

Yes, you can do that.

[DenverNavyMom]

So here's my experience sending the Manila envelope. When It arrived it was pick out as suspicious because it was "thick". They called my son in front of everyone and he had to open it front of everyone. They were thinking it had contraband in it like a candy bar. When he pulled out the envelope he was questioned as to what he thought he might smuggle out of camp. I was absolutely mortified to hear this. I only wanted to be helpful and he was instead singled out and embarrassed by the petty officer in front of everyone. The last thing I wanted to do was have my son embarrassed by his "mommy". I'm so upset. I will not send another one. :0( :0( :0( he was instructed to write a letter, stick it in the envelope and mail it back. My son has been very forgiving to me, but I can't help but feel horrible about it.