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Care packages during Indoc Phase???
HI All! I'm new to Navy, and new to N4M. My son is in OCS in week 1, - today is First Friday. Would like to send him a care package with a few things from home, like fresh socks, lint roller, lip balm - maybe handsanitizer, etc (no food or things not allowed). Wondering if they can receive a package during Indoc Phase? If so, suggestions and ideas would be great help... Its all new to us and any extra info or advice is appreciated.
Thanks!
Views: 1935
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ging_83 on
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You should write to him and ask if he wants or needs items before you send anything, their locked/uninspectable locker is very small. I believe my son (class 02-21) said that if they got a package it just had to be opened in front of someone to make sure nothing contraband came in...probably a "no go" on the hand sanitizer and maybe the lip balm (those are considered a medical item). If you do send socks, make sure they are a Military boot or athletic sock in black or white and that they don't have any emblem that can be seen when wearing the footwear.
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Permalink Reply by SandInMyShoes on
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Ging_83,
Thank you so much for the advice!
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Permalink Reply by Kim8 on
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Hi SandInMyShoes! Congratulations to your son! My son is currently at OCS in the Senior Officer Candidate phase. Candidates can receive packages from day 1 of training. Any packages received have to be opened in front of staff to make sure no contraband is included. (Letters do not get looked at.) Here's a link to the OTCN (Officer Training Command Newport) website FAQ page. #10 addresses packages: https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/O...
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Kim*, thank you so much for the infomation. I am just beginning to get my bearings on all this. I am very thankful for this site! Its a great resource and community!
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You're welcome! There is definitely a learning curve (& I'm still on it)! :) Btw, my son said the Fox River boot socks he got were a great investment; really saved his feet so maybe your son would like them. Also, if you are on Facebook, search for a FB group for your son's class "Navy OCS Class xx-21 Family and Friends". Each group can be a bit different with how much conversation there is but it can be great to be able to "talk" with other family members in your son's class. Most classes set up a FB group but not all of them.
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Kim,
Thanks! We did read up before he left on the Fox River socks! Apparently that is a must have! And I have connected with his FB OCS class page. Anyway, as lost as I feel I am definitely on the right track with you all and the FB group. Baby steps! Thank you again and I will definitely reach out with any other questions. Have a great and safe weekend! And thank you again!
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HI Kim!
Guessing maybe your son graduated from OCS? Mine is now a JOC. Wonedring about the Candio boxes? I read something about them when he first left 6 weeks ago. My questions: When to send? what to send? Does everyone 'decorate' the boxes? DO you send USPS or FedEx or does it not matter? Is there a size limit on box. Any info would be very much appreciated!
Thanks!
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Hi SandInMyShoes,
My son is in the next class to graduate (07-21) on March 12, so he's close! Candidates receive their candio boxes after Battle Stations which is in Week 9, usually on Wednesday. The candidates can get their phones back as early as that Wed night & Candio boxes are usually given Thurs or Fri of week 9; this is at the discretion of the class officers. I sent my son's Candio box on Thurs of week 8 via UPS & it arrived on base on Monday. My son was actually given his box Monday night, it had to be a mistake, because they are usually held onto until they know the candidate has passed everything. He, of course, just held onto it because he knew it was full of contraband. :)
If you google search "Navy Candio box ideas" you will see a lot of photo examples. I also uploaded a photo of the one I made. (The black boxes you see are where our last name was, since I believe no last names are allowed on this site, I blocked that out.) Yes, the boxes are decorated. You can use wrapping paper if you can find some that are patriotic or go to a craft store & use scrapbooking paper. In that same section of the store you can also usually find the stick on letters & some Navy decorations.
Right now goodies & snacks are allowed. It seems that this changes every few years but currently they are not contraband for Candios. I included snacks, cookies, energy bars, etc that I know my son likes. I also contacted family & friends & told them to send me cards that I would include in the box. I bought a little desktop stand with a small American & Navy flag that stand in it. They have very limited space to store anything so that & the cards were the only non-food items I included Some people send practical items, like nice socks, thermal/compression underwear, etc.
Many people use the large flat rate box from the post office for the Candio box. It's 12x12x5 & costs about $20 no matter how heavy it is. We live in Ohio so it was actually a little cheaper to go UPS & I saved a box that was 12x12x6 from Christmas. The scrapbooking sheets are 12x12 so that's a nice size to make decorating a bit easier. USPS also got way behind in deliveries during the holidays so I didn't want to take any chances that it would be late so that's why I chose UPS. Btw, candidates are allowed to receive more than 1 Candio box.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions!
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Hi all.
We are first time Navy family and new to this forum. My son told us no packages were allowed but I see from reading around that there are things I could have been sending him. And could someone explain what a Candio box is and if there is one time that they are sent and did I miss the boat if my son is now a SOC? Thank you!
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