Phone Cards and stamps

[Mar3n1]

My sons recruiter said not to worry about sending a phone card with him he will get one when he gets there. Stamps either. But I have read many things on here saying I should send one. I don't want to send something that would get him in trouble so some advice would be much appreciated.

[Chipmunk]

sambam32 - I don't recall the actual calling card that I purchased for my recruit, but I bought it at our CVS. They had several different options and all charged different amounts per minute of usage, but there is also a usage fee associated with some of them. I would just read the fine print. It appears that several people were also able to find them at Walgreens.  Most importantly, have your recruit go with you to purchase it and then have them activitate it so they know what they did and how to us it when it comes time to call home.

[WonderTwins'mom]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On the calling card!!!!!!

[belovedbyHim]

My son had neither a calling card (Hunted all over and could only find Cell cards) nor stamps.  He was able to call and write.  They take the sailors to the NEX on base and they can get them there.  The only advantage of having a calling card before they go is to activate it and if it is re loadable you can add $$ however they don't get to call home often and my sailor still had plenty of $$ left on his card!  Once they are out of BC they almost all get or have cell phones and will likely never use the card again.  As for the stamps.  You can mail a few of the Forever stamps if you want.  They again have access to the NEX and can buy them there. They won't have much room and may misplace them though so...  He won't get in trouble for you sending these but it's not necessary either. 

It is so hard to let go and let them learn but that is a lot of what this process is about.  Having a card mailed or not will not prevent him from being able to reach out to you and Know that they are thinking of home!! 

Oh and don't send anything until you have the form letter!! Stuff changes all the time and you'd hate to have stuff "lost" in the system by not waiting.

[Gmom]

We sent stamps, but our sailor purchased his own phone cards at he NEX.

[cjtizzy55]

We sent both phone card and stamps.  Glad we sent him the phone card, because he was able to give it to another SR that did not have one.  They can purchase at NEX, but time is precious.

[WonderTwins'mom]

Both my kids went to bootcamp, 6 days apart. My son, no problem buying a calling card at NEX, called without a worry. My daughter on the other hand, nope! It depends on many factors; time, nice/not nice RDC, etc.
A calling card will not get them in trouble or take TOO much space ;)
Pls. don't be discouraged about it. It can't harm!!!! On the other hand, it can save you some tears.....just saying :)

[ldyastrid]

I asked my son if he wanted a phone card and  he told me he got one so don't worry about that but would like stamps - I have sent him stamps a few times, I figure he can always share them if he wants to - in my letter before last, I sent a pad of paper, envelopes, and stamps.  I write often - every couple days.  Many people said they wanted to write to him, but he hasn't received much from other people besides us and his gf - they really appreciate mail from home.  I sent a silly card to him and he got a kick out of that - just goofy stuff written out to him - he told me he reads it often cuz it makes him laugh - SCORE!  He was very surprised to get a letter from his Dad - for some reason he didn't think his Dad would write - when Dad heard that, it made him write more - even one page letters just talking about what he's been doing / how his day has been is good - sent off another one of those today :)

[Mar3n1]

I've written him a letter every day since I got the form letter keeping him informed on what's going on around home and how proud we are. Of course that's only been 5 letters so far but I just don't want him to feel left out or homesick.

[OtterBaby]

My SR reported to boot camp yesterday. He took an activated calling card and stamps in his wallet. Based on advice received on this AMAZING site - we practiced on using his calling card. That was important since it'll stressful when they're trying to make their first call on the calling card. I also made sure he knew he could keep his wallet and NOT to put it in "the box" - when he packs his cell phone and clothes.

We're in Wisconsin so he arrived to Navy boot camp early afternoon. We received "the call" mid-afternoon from his cell phone. It was VERY scripted and he did not go off script at all, I could hear other SR's in the background. When he said bye, I got to get in the WE LOVE YOU at the end of the call.

At this point he has been awake since yesterday morning @ 5 am. Lights out tonight at 8pm ... They must all be so tired ...

[belovedbyHim]

They are able to buy a calling card at the NEX at BC once they get there so please don't make yourself crazy hunting for a calling card!! Better to enjoy your last days together than fretting over a card.