Sandboxx??

[MystiWV]

I read somewhere that it would be easier if my SR made a Sandboxx acct before leaving for RTC, & to be sure to bring/remember his login info.  He did do that.

My question is:  When will his info show up in my app?  

[Jana]

I didn't know about Sandboxx until after my Daughter was at Bootcamp. What a great way to communicate that's for sure.

[MystiWV]

How did you find out when you could start sending to her?

[⚓ darsatm ⚓]

It is best to wait for the form letter before mailing letters to your recruit since things can happen that will result in the recruit being moved from the division the recruit was assigned to upon arrival at the RTC. Suggestion, number the letters so they know the order that they were written.

[MystiWV]

TY for the pic collage info!

[⚓ darsatm ⚓]

Good Afternoon Mysti,

I'm just passing this info on to you. Make your own decision.

I’ve seen this on another navy boot camp site

** ATTENTION ON DECK **

Subj: SANDBOXX App for Sending Letters

Families and friends. Occasionally we'll see posts or comments about using an APP called SANDBOXX to send letters to your Sailors. Let me be clear about a few things:

1. Using the app requires you to provide to them sensitive information about your SR/Sailors. That includes their full name, duty station, and mailing address. This in itself is a violation of PERSEC (Personal Security). Additionally, depending on where the military member is stationed / the unit they're assigned to, it may also be a violation of OPSEC (Operational Security).
2. You do not know who is operating this APP, where the company is located, or what other businesses (if any) they are operating
3. Once you provide this sensitive information to a third party company, you immediately lose control over it. You have no way of preventing them from providing it to anyone else, or using it to target marketing or any other activity which may or may not be malicious
4. The minimum package price for the APP is $8.00. For that you get three letters, with a 3,000 character limit and one photo. Typing, printing and mailing a letter yourself costs $0.49/ea. You don't get a character limit, nor are you limited to the number of photos you can print and send with your letters. Oversized envelopes may cost a few cents more. You can send 16 letters for the cost of sending three using the app.

We as an admin team are advocates for you, your Sailors and everyone's privacy. Therefore, we DO NOT recommend the use of this app. Contrary to what you may read on other forums, letters sent using the app are not delivered any faster than if they were mailed from home.

Protect your privacy and that of your Sailor/Recruit. Type / print and mail the letters yourself. Don't provide their sensitive information to a third party.

That is all. Carry on.

[Dena4]

I only sent some when mine was in bootcamp. He always got them next day vs 10 days if I mailed something to him. They had a backup in mail delivery bc it was Winter month's. I never included any sensitive info though, mostly just fun updates from home and asking how he was doing. He liked that he could get mail faster.

[NavyMum]

Darsatm:  where did you get this information?  I think if the US Navy found that using the Sandboxx App was in violation of any security protocol, they would tell Recruits and family NOT to use it.  

My son sent me a letter from Bootcamp, asking me to use the App.  The location of the Recruit Training Command is not a classified location.  OPSEC is concerned with the disclosure of troop movements and asset deployments that could be detrimental to national security.  Knowing the name of a recruit at bootcamp is not a security concern.  

If you read how Sandboxx works, you will find that they are simply printing your letter, putting it in an envelope, addressing it, sorting the letters by Div and sending them to RTC by FedEx.

RTC opens the box and the bundles go straight to the Division instead of landing in the mailroom to be sorted.  Your recruit will get their letter in 2 days, maybe 3.  Sandboxx tracks your letter and lets you know when it's delivered.  

So really it's up to you to not put in private or sensitive information.  I send both snail mail and Sandboxx letters because isn't the goal to support our recruits.  

My son loves getting mail and is very thankful to be receiving the Sandboxx letters so quickly.  

[Gforce82]

I concur with NavyMom - my recruit made the suggestion to use Sandboxx and they got this from one at RTC. I am not sending any I wouldn’t want someone to read - simple messages of encourage and love. Nothing more interesting than the evening news. It is nice to know that I can send a message and it gets there the next day. Snail mail takes at least 5 to 7 days. 

[Jana]

I am very new to this as well as so many other Moms. I had no idea Sandboxx was such a big issue. Too late now! I have sent many letter. As well as several Family members. My Daughter encouraged it also. She said the letters arrive in 2 days. Had I known before this I wouldn't of used it. 

[Diving Mama]

I just sent 2 letters through sandboxx.... one thing I like about it is there is a pre-addressed return envelope for my recruit to get the hint to respond right back to me. LOL

[⚓ darsatm ⚓]

As I had stated in my post yesterday, that the information regarding the Sandboxx App was from the admin team not my personnel opinion.

I also commented that one should "Make your own decision."

I/We are here to help and support our Navy family get through their journey with their loved ones that are going through the Boot Camp experience.

[Gforce82]

Thank you - you make valid points