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OCS 02-11
My LO is in the above class. I was told by him that I wouldn't be able to write for a while... I just found out that I could have been writing days ago, and I also found the address to mail to (which he never gave me even when i asked) I really want to send him something but I do not know if he told me not to write so that he could focus more or if he just didn't know.
What do ya'll think... should I write or should I wait?
Views: 60
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by P3PilotMOM on
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I say send something, so long as not embarassing, large etc. He probably just wants to do things "by the book" and didn't want to ask. I think they always appreciate getting something, especially when they don't have to return the favor.
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Permalink Reply by egbot on
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DO NOT SEND ANYTHING! Unless he has reached the Candio phase (week 9), do not send a package, a large envelope or any gifts! They will be made to open it in front of everyone, be humiliated and yelled at by the DI's (drill instructors). There are rules for everything and you should certainly be sending letter after letter (plain white envelope, no cutsie sayings on the outside), but nothing else until you are instructed to do so.
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glad you know better!!
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Believe, me when I first started this adventure, I didn't know Anything!! It was this site that helped me so much, certainly more than my LO as he didn't seem to know much of anything! It's the more experienced N4M's that really help out so much! My LO just graduated 19-10 so I can fill you in about that process and now I'm learning from more experienced moms what happens after graduation! This site is invaluable and any questions you may have can absolutely be answered on one of the sites within the N4M's site! Good luck to you!
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Allybelle - you can start writing letters right now. I'm happy you have the address. He probably didn't know when he could receive your letters but the mailroom holds all mail until the DI authorizes his group to get mail. I heard from other Navy Moms that their candidates didn't initially care if they got mail but they soon changed their minds and asked their families to write often!
I remember how suprised and happy my candidate was when they finally allowed mail. By that time there were piles of mail there and by then the mental boost and virtual ((HUGS)) from that mail were very welcomed! Mail is what many candidates hold on to dearly and wait eagerly for. I was told that my letters were actually passed around at times for guys that didn't have the support coming from home.
I'm probably repeating what you've been told else where but I'll chance that.
1) write as often as you want to but, as egbot said, don't send anything but a card or letter---ABSOLUTELY no packages, food, etc until he tells you it is allowed! ( I wrote everyday and numbered the envelopes - kind of a countdown to commissioning)
2) send family news, current events, news from favorite sports teams (I sent spring training reports from my LO's favorite team) silly world news, serious world news. They do not see a tv or read a magazine or newspaper for 3 months.
3) tell them how much you love and support them. They can have very difficult days and hearing the love and caring can make a bad day better.
4) consider sending 10 day weather forecasts...again they have no access to news.
5) keep your correspondence in normal sized , white envelopes and as odd as it sounds...NEVER send anything with glitter or confetti.
6) Photos are okay to send, we actually printed some of them on the papers we used for letters. The candidates don't even care if the only news you send is that there is no news, the contact is what seemed important.
I heard this advise from experienced Moms when we started OCS in 2009 and it is so spot on!
Good luck to you and your LO...it's quite a ride but so worth it! -
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When my LO was at OCS I included "inspirational" quotes - on leadership, overcoming obstacles, character, etc. She probably laughed at them, and that's OK. I even joked when I was too busy one day to include the quote. I truly enjoyed writing the letters, it forced me to better reflect on what was happening around me. So write! Now!
One word of caution - don't relay news of anything that would worry your LO. While at OCS they can't do anything about the situation at home, so if you must tell your LO about the furnace that needed repair, wait until it is repaired to let them know. My LO focused on "the next five minutes", especially early on, to get through the day. We as their support need to allow them to focus on OCS.
Welcome all, and believe me, in three months you will all be "old hands" here at N4M. Good luck to your LO's. -
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