Makeup to BC

[Jajajo]

Can they take makeup to BC?  My daughter is leaving in a couple of weeks and the recruiter said she could take makeup with her for when she has her pictures taken prior to graduation.  Is this true, can she take makeup with her?  If not, can I send it?  Suggestions?????

[Diania (Kim's Mom)]

My daughter had to send her make up home in "the box".  I don't know why she didn't get to keep it with her.  I was able to mail make up back to her but she didn't receive it before she had pictures taken, but borrowed from someone.  Someone else may have had a better experience and/or advice.  Diania

 

[Jajajo]

Can they purchase makeup at BC? How long before graduation will pictures be taken?

[Janie (Ship11~Div.59 Alumni)]

The only thing my daughter was allowed to keep once she got to Lakes boot camp was $50.00 cash. Everything else was shipped back to our home in "the box."

[Lisa (Olivia Div 09-Ship 331)]

My daughter is not leaving until August.  She was told she can bring a tube of mascara and face powder. No bottles of foundation.  I'm not sure if they are allowed to bring a blush or lip gloss/stick or any shadow.  I'd like to know as well.  I heard they can purchase some make up on base.

I'm still coming to terms of her beautiful hair being cut!  :-) Thanks for the post.  How are you feeling with her departure being so close?   

[Jajajo]

I'm a ball of EMOTIONS :( She DEP back in August and the time has flown by. Spending and enjoying as much time with her as I can.  I'm sooo PROUD of her but am going to miss her terribly :( 

[sherrys (Alumni-Ship 02 Div 911)]

Jajajo ... My daughter left for BC 12/6/10.  She took with her the bare minimum for make up: a small container of face powder/foundation, a sample size mascara, and a very small compact that had four colors of eye shadow (we had to break the mirror out of the compact because mirrors are not allowed).  When my "kid in a box" came, her deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, clothes, jewelry, etc. etc. came back, but not the make up.

About her 4th week into BC, she wrote and asked me to send her the deodorant, toothbrush, lip balm and purple eye shadow!  I did not want to be the one to get her in trouble, so I contacted U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command via a question on their Facebook page.  I was specific in the items I listed, and the answer from RTC came back that the Recruits are allowed to have these items (as well as their contact lenses if they wore them) for graduation and that they would not get in trouble!  ;o)

[sherrys (Alumni-Ship 02 Div 911)]

Lisa -- as far as hair goes, I would highly suggest your daughter have hers done before she leaves for boot camp!  I took my daughter to get hers done, and she is still thanking me for it!  ;o)  We had hers cut shorter than Navy standard, to just above the collar... this way, when it came for the second round of haircuts at BC, her hair was still okay and did not have to be cut again!  My daughter also donated her long hair to "Locks of Love" -- made it all the more meaningful and well worth it!

[sherrys (Alumni-Ship 02 Div 911)]

Jajajo ... I also told my daughter that if she did take the minimum amount of makeup with her, the worst that could happen is that they ship it back home in the box!  Since it is a small amount, it certainly was worth a try!  It's also the "luck of the draw" so-to-speak ... just depends who is guiding her through there that first night of arrival.  ;o)

[sherrys (Alumni-Ship 02 Div 911)]

Lisa ... I just noticed you are the same one who posted the "Locks of Love" discussion in this group! Lol!  Looks like you know all about this already!  ;o)

[Lisa (Olivia Div 09-Ship 331)]

Sherrys, thanks for the additional info about the shadow.  So now that your daughter has been gone for 6 weeks, how are you doing?  Have you received many letters?  Although our daughter's may be strong, gutsy women for joining the armed forces, its difficult not to wonder how they are doing.  :-)

[sherrys (Alumni-Ship 02 Div 911)]

I'm hanging in there!  It has been a roller coaster ride so far though.  Such a whirlwind of emotions! ;o)  That first (real) phone call home that comes about 3-4 weeks into BC is the best!  When my daughter called, the first thing out of my mouth was "I LOVE YOU!" then I quickly asked her how long she had to talk, if we got disconnected could she call back, and then told her to hold on so I could 3-way conference her big brother onto the call!  It was so good to hear her voice, but hard to hear about how very homesick she was.  Well, this past week's letter from her was the most excited she has sounded... second round of inspections came and went and she made the top scores, weapons turnover drills ... again top scores, and she said she has made a couple of very good friends!  Phew... they had troubles getting the DIV on track at first, but it sound like they've got it together now.  ;o)  She has so far sent a letter each week.  I'm in Southern Calif. and her letters usually get her on Wednesday nights.  It takes awhile for them to get our first letters, but after awhile, they start to catch up!  She says she lost quite a bit of weight (she was very tiny/petite before she left, so I don't know where she could have lost any ... her big toe?!).  But she likes that all the hard work has paid off and she is now in the best shape of her life.  ;o)  Me?  I was very anxious over this weekend, but today's a good day!  Wow!  What an adventure, huh?!  LOL!

[Lisa (Olivia Div 09-Ship 331)]

OMG - your post brought tears to my eyes.  When I hug my daughter I take in every moment.  I'm west of Minneapolis now but will be moving back to Chicago in July.  Closer to Waukegan.  I jokingly told her recruiter I'll be the helicopter mom standing outside of Great Lakes with a poster saying hello to her.  --- I would not do that.  She is my baby and I've had to see off two other daughters to college, then adulthood.  What can I say, I'm their mother and love them. 

I can see me reacting like you with the call and saying I Love You.  How heartfelt.

when will your daughter graduate --  l love Chicago, know the city well since I grew up there.  I can give you ideas for things to do if you are in the city before graduation.  I wish the best for your future sailor!