All my Letters that I have been waiting to send

[potterycat]

Hi, 

I received the form letter today!!!   It was so awesome to see her beautiful handwriting if nothing more than that on the informational letter.  AND...she gets to come home for Thanksgiving which is also her 18th birthday!  What a gift!   I already sent in the Adopt a Sailor letter!  And it has been confirmed! 

So, what is the best way to send all the letters I have been writing her?  Do I send them in 1 big manilla envelope or each individually?  Her dad has a lot of them too.  Will it draw too much attention to her to send them all at once or in the envelope?  

What have you all done or what do you recommend? 

Thank you!

[potterycat]

Also, can I adopt more than one sailor?  Perhaps someone that can't be with family? 

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

Here's the info on the Thanksgiving Adopt-A-Sailor Program

Families and friends of Recruit Training Command: Each year RTC sponsors our annual Thanksgiving Adopt-A-Sailor program, which allows eligible recruits the opportunity for off-base liberty to spend the day with their families and loved ones.

This year, eligible recruits are those in Training Groups 2 & 3 with a graduation date of Dec. 6 and 13. Training Group 2 consists of Divisions 009-012 & 902 and Training Group 3 consists of Divisions 013-018 & 903. The recruits will mail home a form letter containing graduation information along with their contact information. The above-mentioned divisions will also include a yellow Adopt-A-Sailor form that must be completed and emailed to RTC Public Affairs no later than Nov. 14.

ELIGIBLE IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS include: Parents/step-parents, siblings, grandparents, spouses, aunts and uncles. Girlfriends, boyfriends and fiancés are not eligible to adopt their recruits as they are not recognized as legal immediate family. They may accompany an immediate family member who has completed the form to adopt their recruits, but they cannot adopt their recruits on their own. Recruits are restricted to traveling within a 50 mile radius of the base.

History has shown that only about 20 percent of eligible recruits’ families are able to make the trip to RTC for this program as many others simply cannot make two back-to-back trips for Thanksgiving and graduation. This is completely understandable. For those who are unable to spend time with family, we have partnered with 30 local civic organizations to include VFWs, American Legions and churches, for example, that graciously offer to adopt recruits in groups of about 25 to spend the day at their location. These organizations conduct annual fundraising and volunteering to allow the recruits a day of feasting, entertainment such as movies and video games, phone and computer usage. Many organizations have been participating for 20+ years.

INELIGIBLE RECRUITS: If a recruit is set back in training to a graduation date of Dec. 20 or later, they are no longer eligible to participate and there are no exceptions. If a recruit from an earlier Training Group gets set back in training to a division in Training Group 2 or 3, they are not eligible to go with their families. These recruits will automatically be adopted by a local civic organization. The only eligible recruits are those who have sent home a yellow application form along with their form letter.

Other ineligible recruits include those who:
• are in the separation/discharge process;
• are in RCU (Recruit Convalescent Unit) on Thanksgiving; or
• become SIQ (Sick in Quarters) on Thanksgiving.

If you have questions or need clarification on the Adopt-A-Sailor program, please send a message to RTC Public Affairs at [e-mail] or call 847-688-5582, ext. 2.

[Martha]

It’s the best to see their handwriting! I sent out like 3 letter per envelope cause I too didn’t want to draw too much attention only to find out later that she says they never get harassed for mail cause her RDC’s are “cool” haha. But I had so many letters to send too, I sent out 3-4 in one envelope everyday :) I also signed up for that informed delivery through usps to keep an eye out for mail I would get sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t but when I first saw her letters I was crying and showing g everyone at work that I had a letter lol it’s the best feeling. 

[potterycat]

Martha I jumped up and down just to see her hand had touched the envelope!   I cried when I saw the Adopt a Sailor notice.   I would love to bring others too but it looks like only immediate family can adopt.... Thank you for posting that B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN.

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

And you can send all the letters in one manila envelope - she will have to open it in front of the RDC but it shouldn't be a problem.  If you are worried about that just send them in a few different envelopes.  # them on the outside so she knows what order to open them in!

[NavyMum]

I numbered my letters and mailed them individually but all at once.  DS said that he did get a bit of ribbing over the number of letters but nothing bad. DH had a similar experience back in the day at Army boot camp - ribbing over the quantity but no negative consequences.

If you mail in a big envelope -they have to open in front of the RDCs

[astc]

Potterycat- I actually mailed my sailor everyday and when it was the weekends I would send a larger envelope the next business day. I was at first worried if the RDC would catch larger envelopes, but he said he would rather they be using their strength towards other activities if they are to be punished. However some would suggest you did not send larger envelopes, but it really depends on the RDC as well. Ask your sailor if it is okay with that. If not, I send individual letters and number them. That way they know the order of which one to read first. I would sometimes do Sandboxx letters once or twice a week to let them get faster updates if needed.

[NavyMom9519]

Hi! I sent 14 letters at once. 2 per envelope, over a span of a few days. I numbered and dated them all.