Nuke Packages

[Baby jay's mama]

My son is new to the nuke field, actually the whole family is. As his mom, I feel like I'm on an emotional roller coaster! Any ideas of items to send in his first care box?

[Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke]

My son's request for his first care box was stuff that he can't buy for himself.  Apparently they have a walmart-type store that they can purchase their stuff from.  So, I'm going to send homemade cookies, etc.

[Trevor'sMom-Nuclear MM]

Home baked goodies are always a good idea. BUT make sure you put them in a zipped bag and then in a plastic container. I sent cookies to my son in a bag and while sitting in the mail room in Goose Creek the ants got into them. They ate right thru the plastic and had themselves a picnic!!! Needless to say my cookies went in the garbage : (

[Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke]

Thanks for that tip!  I don't want to feed the ants!

[Trevor'sMom-Nuclear MM]

You're welcome. Another thing my son asked for was a couple of bath towels. The ones the Navy issues are rough!

[haps]

Also send things with a tracking number and keep checking. Once it arrives at GC send a text to your sailor to alert them that it is there. They don't have a lot of time to get mail and sometimes won't be informed that they have a package until it has been sitting there. There is a small NEX right outside of the campus where they can buy items and a subway sandwich shop. Gift cards to subway are nice in case they study through dinner hours at the mess hall. We also sent easy to grab things like power bars.

Your sailor will be in school Monday thru Friday and depending on test scores will have either voluntary study hours or mandatory study hours on Sunday thru Thursday nights and possibly even weekends. All studying is done in their classrooms and they are not allowed to have cell phones in there. They have PT early in the mornings, need to keep their rooms spotless (mine got dinged for a water spot on the mirror), and then do laundry sometime during the week. With that schedule they don't have much time to call home. Just keep the care packages coming and ask what he would like you to send. We ended up sending flannel sheets to replace the navy ones because that was what our sailor requested.

It is a crazy ride for all concerned but well worth it when they get through the pipeline

[tina41]

hello all!

I sent my son things you could only buy here in pa.   I also sent jerky, granola bars, gum.  

[1proudmama/EM/USSLincoln/CVN72]

I read somewhere to put cookies in pringle cans; I thought that was a great idea.

[Gulf Coast Mom]

To all the new moms - when you have time, go to the "view all" tab about midway down the page - it has ALL the discussions since this thread was new.  The rooms have a small refrigerator and microwave in them.  There is a mini-NEX relatively close with a Subway.  The bigger NEX is farther away, plus if you don't have a car it is harder to get your purchases back.  The first box I sent had a couple microwave mugs, measuring cups, set or two of silverware, can opener, etc.  Sent some microwave meals, soups, popcorn etc.  Once school starts, there are nights that either they don't get to eat before the galley closes or they have study until 9 or 10 and need a snack before bed.  If you go back on the old discussions, go to page 24 - there is a good discussion of things moms have sent.  When my first went I also sent a small plastic box with Tide stain remover stick, extra needle and thread, OTC meds - cold/diarrhea/headache ect.  Bug spray is a biggie in the spring.  ALSO - a Subway gift card - they live on Subway.  I have used Cheryl's cookies, Popcorn Factory, Bake a Wish. Mrs. Fields for special occasions - a little pricy but OK for once in a while.  Cheryl's has some cookies - individual for $5.00 for just a nice little surprise to let them know you are thinking of them.  

[lambikins]

Great suggestions.  Thank you!  My Sailor arrived at Goose Creek last week.  She was focused on having me send her stuff she wants from her civilian life -- laptop, comic book issues she missed during RTC, toiletries -- but hasn't been there long enough to see what dorm-type stuff she might need.

[Baby jay's mama]

Well it's been a while since I have been on here, now that I can chat with my sailor regularly! I have become an expert on shipping boxed nonetheless! I send my boy salami, crackers, candy. Today he asked for his cleats and glove! I sent all of his personals shorty after he arrived and clothes after phasing up. At first he requested organizers for his toiletries, a good bath mat, and a shower caddy!

[socalnavymom]

My son just drives to Target in town and gets what he needs. Before his car arrived out there, he would either take a taxi with a group of friends or someone with a car would take everyone and they split gas costs. He goes to Subway quite a bit, as the galley "food" isn't his liking (I wonder what he will do once he is on ship, lol). The problem with sending food items is that the mail room doesn't always let them know when it arrives. I recently sent Shari's Berries for his bday. It arrived Friday morning, but the mail room didn't release it to him until Monday afternoon. Needless to say, they were spoiled. On the upside, Shari's Berries sent him a new batch for free!!! And those he was able to pick up the same day they arrived.