Comment

Comment by Always "Incognito" on July 3, 2010 at 1:04am

another great idea is sending a questionare to your SR. You can make up your own or use one of several that have been posted on N4Ms. Just type in "Recruit questionares" in the search bar and something should come up. Some of the questions are serious in nature like how many in your division? Do you sleep on the top or bottom rack? But some are really funny questions just designed to make them laugh. Some dont send them back, one SR reported the paper was too big to fit in the small envelope they give them but othes have sent them back without a problem. If you dont want to take that risk you can format the questions so that you can cut the paper to fit better into the envelope. Some have even sent it with a small self addressed stamped stuffed into a slghtly larger envelope just to make it quicker and far easier for thier SR to fill it out and mail it back. Some weeks they are really busy and dont seem to have as much time to write.
You can also print off their FB page (or MySpace) and a page of their best friend and send that. Try not to send any that are more than 3 pages in one envelope or its too thick and could draw attention to the SR from the RDC. The SRs hate drawing "extra" attention to themselves.

Comment by Sailor's Sweetheart on July 3, 2010 at 12:26am

Incognito - I know, ha! I thought it was a little over precausious myself. Oh, I read this really great tip that suggested instead of sending hard copies of pictures to copy/paste them onto the backs of your letters. That way they can get letters and pictures and it only takes up the space of a letter :) I did that on the back of his first letter and I fit about 40 pics!
I am so excited that there are already 11 members on this group! I can't wait to continue to connect and share info with eachother :)

Comment by Always "Incognito" on July 2, 2010 at 11:11pm

Oh other important tips:

Do NOT send any musical cards or cards that have a voice recorder on them- RDC hate them. They've been reported to stomp on them once your SR opens them and then the SR can have it back.

Do not send ANY comic strips or newspaper clippings. Cut and paste the info or comic off the internet into a letter.

Do not send a ton of pics at once. If you are going to send pics, send a couple at a time. The SRs LIKE pictures but space is limited so dont go nuts with pics. UNLESS they specifically ask you to send more. (some do)

Do not draw little cute things on the outside of the envelope, sometimes they get teased or noticed for it. Try to use white envelopes.

Do write everyday, cause mail call is like "Christmas Morning" to them.

you can send all kinds of things, besides letters. Jokes, headline news (that is NOT upsetting) sports scores (be sure to DATE that) funny one liners, trivia, even a stupid pet letter. Yes I wrote one from the dog and the fish. Its over on PIR 7/23 if anyone wants to read it. Its DUMB but my SR will love it. I have found one common thing, if they had a pet before going in they really MISS them and want to know about them.

Comment by jkelley/Ship06 Div940 on July 2, 2010 at 10:56pm

My Son is Ship 06 and Div 940, we are staying at the Navy Lodge. Have to fly to Buffalo and help my parents travel to GL.

Comment by Always "Incognito" on July 2, 2010 at 10:53pm

LOL yes, I guess it can if your SR is going to be a SEAL. But so many have already said their SRs FIRST name so many do that BUT NEVER the LAST name, ever!

Comment by Always "Incognito" on July 2, 2010 at 10:52pm

Also, read PIR groups ahead of yours, you get GREAT insight into whats coming for your SR and for you! And once you are almost done or are done as a BC Mom- come back and "reach back" and SHARE what you know and what you've learned. Good luck to all your future Sailors!!!!

Comment by Sailor's Sweetheart on July 2, 2010 at 10:51pm

Thanks for all of your tips incognito :) I have also learned that it is best to avoid saying your Sailor's name on here. Aparently, (somehow) it is presents a security risk for them. I don't understand why/how but better safe than sorry.

Comment by Always "Incognito" on July 2, 2010 at 10:42pm

Its a good idea to try to fit your SRs ship and Div number in your screen name. It helps everyone FIND other parents who have kids in your SRs division. I have even seen "rack mate Parents" find each other that way. Its pretty cool when that happens (rare as it is)

Comment by Always "Incognito" on July 2, 2010 at 10:38pm

Heads up: Just a bit of info that I hope helps as you as you wait for that first *real letter*

Once they start getting mail as in it all finally catches up to them (about 3 weeks in) they get "mail call" every day except Sundays (and we all know why that would be-lol)

I sent a letter every single day for the whole time (to date) that my SRs been at BC as soon as I was able to get the address a bit early from the recruiter (I had it before the form letter came)

She arrived at GL on the late evening of May 25th. She was able to mail out her first REAL letter on Monday, June 14th (it arrived in my box on June 16) She later got a special call (for the division doing something good) and told me that once they started getting mail call everyday, that she got 6 letters at one mail call and only one time didnt get anything.

Hope this helps you all figure it out. The one thing that drove me crazy in all this was trying to figure out the mail situation. I can say WE get their letters ALOT faster than they get what we send. Seems like almost 6 weeks in (as she is now) its takes at least a week (or maybe a bit longer) for her to get what I send.

Comment by nnnichols/Div 940 Ship 06 on July 2, 2010 at 10:16pm

I'm so glad that we have found out a PIR date. Where are ya'll staying? Are you driving or flying? What is your ship/div numbers. My son Matt's is Div 940 Ship 06.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 71
• 72
• 73
• 74
• Next ›
• Page