Hi everyone.......my son just left for boot camp on April 11th.....I was just reading something on this website and I am a little confused - can we only send letters ......can we send care packages -…

[Debbie049]

Hi everyone.......my son just left for boot camp on April 11th.....I was just reading something on this website and I am a little confused - can we only send letters ......can we send care packages - with protein bars and stuff.....I was thinking that was prohibited - only letters and photos if you wanted....someone please let me know....thank you

[ebigirl]

Only letters is correct. They are not allowed any care packages of any kind. Your letters should be mailed in PLAIN WHITE envelopes, with NO stickers or drawings or scents of any kind. You don't want to have your SR stand out amongst the others in his division.

You can send an extra calling card (make sure you activate it before sending it) if he requests one, and a few extra peices of paper and envelopes. Photos are ok if the will fit in his wallet.

[lemonelephant]

Some RDC's have no problem with colored envelopes, stickers, drawings, or newspaper/magazine clippings; others will IT (Intensive Training, extra physical exercises) for those, but then if the division/recruit needs it, the RDC is going to look for any opportunity to give IT to get the division/recruit in shape. A few RDC's even allow perfumed envelopes, as long as the smell is not so much that it can be smelled during an inspection--but do encourage any females to avoid it. Definitely do not send a musical/talking card or cards/letters with glitter or confetti (that stuff is hard to clean up and one speck can cost them in an inspection). Know that if you send anything other than a regular envelope (card, letter or business-sized envelope), then the SR will have to open it in front of the RDC. Things that you can send that fit in a regular envelope (obviously not all at once) are: Band-Aids, precut moleskin (with instructions for how to use it to prevent/treat blisters), ACTIVATED phone cards (go to http://callsforrecruits.org/ to get some free and/or keep the info on the back of any you buy so you can add minutes if needed), photos (but to save space, you may want to print several on the paper you write the letter on), stamps, extra paper, preaddressed envelopes, address labels, and/or a large manila envelope with maximum postage. Things you are able to send in a padded envelope, but it would have to be opened in front of the RDC: any or all of the previously mentioned items in a larger quantity, clear chap stick (some have a real problem and need/want it), pens (but they do have them there), and/or contacts and small bottle of solution (can be sent to arrive no more than 10 days prior to PIR--write contacts for PIR in the corner of the envelope or small box). Your SR is able to buy things at the NEX, so you really don't need to send anything but cards, letters, and pictures and be sure to send LOTS of those. Before he left, my Sailor had told me to write only once a week when I said I'd try to write every day; and unfortunately, I listened to him. He later told me he wished he had not told me that. Mail Call is the highlight of their day and mail from home means so much to them.

[Debbie049]

Thank you so much everyone for your answers......

[ebigirl]

Lemonelephant...LOL that's what my son told me also. I did write, but not everyday as he EXPECTED. I had to remind him that he told me not to write a lot.

[lemonelephant]

I wish I had known about N4M when my Sailor was in BC instead of right after or that I had asked either of my brothers (a former Marine and a retired Soldier) about it.  I would have written more.  I did give his friends and relatives his address and I gave some of his friends cards to write in and give back to me to mail, so he got a few cards and letters each week, but there were Mail Calls when he didn't get anything.