letter to other SR

[navymom]

I read somewhere on here, not sure which group, maybe this one, about writing to other SR in your SR division.  I asked my SR for names but by the time the letters go back and forth its three weeks later and that's close to graduation.  I would like to write directly to other SR in my SR division who don't get a lot of support from their family.  How would I go about that?  and what do you say to a complete stranger?

[Sierrascrapper (ETN2)]

I don't have an answer to the first part of your question as my son hasn't left for BC yet. However, one of the local Navy moms I met asked friends to write her son. She gave me her son's address and I wrote him a couple times. He even wrote me back! I loved it. Even though I didn't know him personally. I was able to put stuff in the letters that was encouraging. I also wrote about things going on here locally. He gave my son some good advice for when he goes in. Just tell him to keep up his hard work and thank him for his service. Ask him about his rating when he finishes BC. Make him feel special and try to fill in the gap of others not caring about him. Trust me it will make a difference. When my son goes in...I think I will instruct him ahead of time to send names of recruits not getting mail in his early letters so I can make sure they get something in time. You can also just include an extra letter in with your sons for a particular recruit, even if you don't know his name. It will mean the world to him.

[lemonelephant]

See the info next to the blue star in Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

Be encouraging. Send jokes, encouraging sayings, funny cards....

[navymom]

thanks for the tips

[MimiR]

It is sad when they don't get the support, my daughter just went in and already everyone is writing.  My son was in bootcamp in 2012 and indicated one of the guys never received any letters but once he would finish reading the ones he received he would share them with him and say they were meant for both of them. 

[Zaysmom]

When i talked to my son on the phone, i told him i would put a star in the corner of an envelope and that means it's to be given to an SR who isn't getting mail.  I've only done this twice and haven't heard how it went, but i'll keep sending themm hoping they help someone.

[lemonelephant]

That is a good way to do it and one that has been used by others successfully. See Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

[lemonelephant]

ZaysMom, Check your My Page.

[SpunkyNavyMom2014 (PIR 4/25/14)]

I write to  SR   ANY SALIOR RECUIT and then use my son's Ship and Div info.

I send notes about how impressed I am that they choose to join and how proud they should be.   I send funny cards like..... I know its hard....but this too shall pass.   May hurt like a kidney stone....but it will pass.     Just things to make them laugh.    I sure hope it makes them smile.

It makes me smile everyday.

[lemonelephant]

First, there is no such thing as a "Sailor Recruit." There are "Sailors" and there are "Recruits." but SR stands for "Seaman Recruit," not "Sailor Recruit." Second, all letters sent to any military base, including the RTC, must be addressed to a particular person or they are not supposed to be delivered, so if you wish to address it as ANY RECRUIT, you would do so as follows: 

SR LAST NAME, FIRST NAME, MI (Your SR's name)

Attn: ANY RECRUIT
SHIP 13 DIV 151
3420 SAILOR DRIVE
GREAT LAKES IL 60088-3520

 

The following is from http://about.usps.com/publications/pub640/pub640_tech.htm:

Q: Are there programs such as “Any Service Member or Any Wounded Warrior” that allow me to send items to any service member?

A: This practice is prohibited due to the risks facing deployed military forces. Previous programs that allowed people to send mail to service members unknown to them were discontinued following the terrorist attacks of 2001. This includes the “Any Service Member, Any Wounded Warrior, Any Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine” mail program for military personnel. Mail to “Any Service Member” will not be delivered. This restriction applies to all classes and types of mail.

• Mail without a valid addressee and address will be returned to sender.
• Mail without a return address will be opened in our Mail Recovery Center Network to determine the sender’s address.
• Mail with no means to determine the sender’s return address will be sent to local charities.

[Sailor's Girl (ship 13 div 164)]

Every time I send an envelope to my SR, I also include a letter in that envelope for an SR who might not get a letter on that day. On the outside of the letter, I write a note to my SR telling him to give to somebody who did not get a letter and needs some encouragement. To the random SR, I write words of encouragement to lift his spirits, to let him know that I am praying for him, to let him know that I and tons of other people are very proud of him, I tell him he is strong. Just be sure to be encouraging in those letters.