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Connection and Care Packages?
Views: 5053
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Navy for Moms Admin on
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Chatter has started: http://www.navyformoms.com/profile/Dawn
Dawn said…
Yes,You can send them care pachages.There are items that can't be sent to them. As for contacting them No you can't call them. They can call youwhen they have time. Its not othen for them. After Boot camp its all a different ball game. Any mom will be happy to hear from their child,so just make sure they have a cell phone after boot camp. This way you can call them anytime and they can do the same.
annie hamilton said…
Hi Dawn, I dont think you are able to contact them unless there is a death in the family. Also you cannot send care packages with food in it. THEY SHOULD OF SENT YOU A FORM LETTER TELLING YOU ABOUT THIS.
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Permalink Reply by tdsmom87 on
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I wrote Timothy every day. I would send him jokes, stories from home, comics I thought he would enjoy reading, cards, whatever i could think of. His sisters would write him once a week or so and his dad would write whenever I could get him to jot down a line or two.
When I would miss a day, or when there was a problem with the mail on RTC's end the next letter I would get from Tim would be full of questions like, "Why haven't I written?", "Is there something wrong?", "Are you mad at me?" Don't miss a day...if at all possible.
I didn't send a care package. The "powers that be" can frown on that and can make it hard on the recruit. And, they don't have a lot of room in their lockers. If you send pictures, print them off on regular paper, so they can be folded and kept in their wallet or in an envelope.
Just write...write...write. They just want to hear from home..even the silly and boring stuff! Hope that helps.
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LOL....I sent Rick this musical card with the song "I will survive"....and he got it and it was the end of the day and just about "lights out" and he was opening mail and opened that in a "quiet" room and everyone started signing and laughing....it broke up the drudgery....LOL...he thought that was awesome.....and then a few days later, one of the other sailors got the same card from his family....LOL....YES, tdsmom87, print pics on regular paper, I did that and that gets them through, the little things we take for granted are their treasures at that point........
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Boot Camp will be VERY limited communication. They actually "earn" phone privledges...you are unable to contact your child..You are unable to send car packages during boot camp, but once they are out, you sure can and then your communication will be more free.
My advice is to WRITE WRITE WRITE....While they are in boot camp....they don't have much access to the 'outside' world, no tv, radio etc....I wrote EVERY DAY.....sent a card AND a letter.....it really helps them get through....
Also read the book by J.F. Leahy.....Honor, Courage & Committment: Navy Boot Camp.....it will give you a GREAT insight as they follow a group through boot camp......it will help you too, understand more of how hard they really work.......
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My Son had soooo many letters that they took a pic for their Keel of him with all the letters in each hand and the others on their knees reaching up for the mail....he was chosen as he received the most mail.....as I stated on the care packages....they only have so much room at RTC they can't store alot of stuff.......And the list they give you prior to leaving for BC, when "THE BOX" comes back to you with all their "civies" you will be surprised at items that you just bought are being sent back.....after they PIR, you can take them shopping for what they will need.....be prepared for THE BOX....I didn't wash his clothes for months...I hung them up and snuck in for a "sniff" every now and then......lol.....so don't worry about sending them things...I did up a simple page on my computer of pics that would help him get through.....
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After PIR, we took Rick, got his Cell Phone, and we had even brought his laptop and his acoustic guitar to have on base with him as well. They only have so little room to store items and EVERYTHING should be LOCKED up so that it doesn't get taken or "misplaced", he even had his skateboard as well. So AFTER PIR, they will have tons of communication.
We brought out some "civie" sleep clothes as we where lucky Rick spent all weekend off base with us at the Navy Lodge, but PIR weekend they have to be in uniform ALL WEEKEND.....but in the room, he could "chill out"......
It was nice on the 18 hour ride home that he was texting and calling us....LOL....if your kids are going to have their laptops, I suggest getting LoJack for their laptops....just in case.
Each Sailor may have different assignments as well after PIR...they may head to another base, rules may be different, but up in Great Lakes, they are allowed to go to a normal life status as far as communication access is concerned. They can get cable in their rooms and internet access, they pay for it themselves, or they can take their laptops to the lounge where there is a "hotspot" there where they can get free internet access.
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Very helpful information. My daughter has been gone just 1 &1/2 weeks, I just received 'the BOX' of her civies. and I just received the 'form' letter with a few penciled in lines of 'Howdy do, ma.". I look forward to attending PIR in April. J
ust don't know how to get from Chicago to Great Lakes Base and where to stay. I don't know much about the area: Chicago and north of it...Great Lakes Base. Oh well, I will wait for word when PIR is scheduled.
Thanks for the information about cell phone/laptop.
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My son called home the night he got to boot camp. The next communication that came was a form letter with his address. He had hand written a few lines on the form letter to say he was fine. After that he wrote once a week. He called when his division got a flag and to let us know he was graduating. Don't expect many phone calls. I wrote to him almost every day. I sent him cards, photos and letters but no care packages.
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When my son, Justin was in boot camp, I received a form letter that said NO care packages, NO food. My son was allowed to receive letters, money orders, and photographs ONLY. I was kinda bummed out, as I wanted to send him cookies and brownies and such. When I went through Navy boot camp in the summer of 1985, I remember Sunday afternoons were the days that the care packages were delivered. We shared all the goodies with our fellow recruits and it was a wonderful break in the routine. I had hoped to do that for my son, but sadly, it is no longer allowed.
Justin said he really enjoyed the photographs I sent , and he taped them to the bottom of his bunk mate's bed so he could see them when he got into bed at the end of the day. He said the photos really helped him when he was worn out.
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Melanie, I LOVE that he put his pics up on the above bunk....that is sooooo sweet....isn't it amazing how humble they become in BC??? LOL....my son told me at PIR that he really missed home....(before he couldn't WAIT to get out of this house.)....lol....and that although he loved what he is doing, he really missed a home cooked meal and the homemade brownies and cookies (just sent him a huge batch of both as he got his orders that he wanted...so he could celebrate...lol)
Thank you for sharing.....and congrats, 2nd generation sailor huh? Way to go Navy Mom.....
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thanks! actually he is third generation Navy! both of his grandfathers were in the Navy! both parents and an uncle were also Navy. (One more uncle in the Marines) We are quite proud that he is carrying on the Navy tradition!
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Well I'm a Sailor myself. And I know when I was in Bootcamp I was so homesick and wanted to talk to my mom and dad. That is one of the way I connected with my family and also write alot of letters there is nothing worse then being the only one who doesnt get mail. It broke my heart every time i didnt get mail. it is by far the best thing my family could have ever sent to me....and well just make sure you tell them that your proud which i am sure you are. I hope this helps. I was only in boot camp 4.5 yrs ago...i am going on my 5th year here in 6 months i just extended for 6 more months so that will bring be to 5 yrs. Thanks see ya later
Melissa
ABH3
USS CARL VINSON
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