Any other moms/ dads out there with sons/daughters in the military? my son is leaving on Dec 12th, and we are having his Christmas on the 1st. He'll soon know all the details, but do they take anything with them when they leave? If so, what do they take, and do they allow them to receive mail? If so, I'm planning to give stationary to all of his relatives, so they'll stay in touch with him.... thanks for your help.
2006-10-07 02:54:31 · 19 answers · asked by me2007 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
...He's going into the Navy, and to Chicago for boot camp - Thank you everyone for your suggestions; I won't be able to pick a "best answer", because they are all so good. God bless you all as well, and for those who have served, thank you
2006-10-07 03:27:40 · update #1
His recruiter will give him a list of things to buy...I recommend buying all of the toiletries in travel size since thats what he'll be expected to have in his shower drawer. Also if it wont fit into a backpack I wouldnt take it. He can receieve mail and will be allowed to call call home with an address. My parents wrote me everyday, even if it was just to tell me what was for dinner that night, and that way I always had mail from home at mail call. It maked a huge difference for me. Id also recommend buying a phone card and bringing rolls of quarters instead of dollar bills. They make you write the serial numbers from the bills and everytime you spend money you have to update it. Its really more work than its worth, quarters spend just the same as dollars. Good luck!
2006-10-07 03:06:38 · answer #1 · answered by miss m 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ive been in the Army for over 6 years now. Diff from Navy yes but for this stuff should be about the same. You can send mail to them. And as for what he should take.... I took everything the recruter told me to take on his list. When I got there we were given a credit card that had $300 of our first pay check on it and were told to buy the stuff on our list even if we already had it cause the card was only good for there no where else. So I dont know if they still do that either way I would say take only what you need if anything... toothbrush ect..... when he gets there he will be able to buy what he needs.
Good luck to your son and family, the times are hard but it will be a good life experiance.
2006-10-07 04:02:41 · answer #2 · answered by drevain 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're allowed their basic things clothes toiletries, but when he gets settled wherever he's doing his training at let him contact you to give you the correct address or post office box to where he's assigned to for basic training. You can send him care packages, but let him get the list from where he is on what he can and cannot get in the mail since there's a pretty strict list of things personnel is and isnt allowed to recieve so wait before you send anything so it's not rejected or returned to you. Keep in mind that due to increased security with the military you may not be able to send things if your son is deployed because a lot of personnel are not allowed to disclose where exactly they're located at. If you send packages and mail be aware that it will be checked and can be rejected for any given reason so don't take it personal if you get some of your mail back that means it didnt clear security and this is only a security precaution since 9/11 that the military have taken steps to protect servicemen and women abroad and local from things that will breach security. If your family is planning to send care packages copy the list your son gives you and make sure they have it so they're aware of what they can and cannot send and note on the bottom that if mail comes back that indicates he was moved and he will be in touch with you once he gets to where he is.
2006-10-07 03:06:10 · answer #3 · answered by nabdullah2001 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He'll get a list of what to take or not take . What he takes will be inspected and half of it will go into storage .
Write daily , letters help keep up the spirits and morale , He'll write when he can or better . The military hates to hear that recruits mothers are worried because the recruit hasn't wrote home .
Expect him to start being negative , he's not going to a picnic and he'll complain , then the peices will fall together and he'll be OK .
2006-10-07 03:13:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm in the military, and yes he can recieve mail at basic, they took some of the stuff I brought to basic training then gave it back after it was over. It's an easy 2 months and it will be over before you know it. The whole enlistment goes pretty fast, I signed for 5years and have 6 months left and it seems like time just flew by. Can't wait to get out though.
2006-10-07 02:58:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I went to boot camp, we were not allowed to bring anything put our undergarments and toiletries with us. The first week, we wore our civilian clothes until we were fitted with uniforms. Mail contact with family is not only encouraged but required. We had to write a letter to our parents or next of kin every week. If a recruit is not on good terms with his/her parents, an envelope still had to be sent. Stationery is a great idea. Sounds like this recruit has a nice, supportive family. Best of luck!
2006-10-07 03:01:54 · answer #6 · answered by farahwonderland2005 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My fiance just graduated from Army boot camp yesterday! It was hard at first for me and his mom to deal with him leaving As soon as he sends you him address write him everyday!!! The love and support will help him get through it all!!! Don't give him any stationary because he wont be able to take it with him but when he gets to the base he will be able to get things like that there ...GOOD LUCK!
2006-10-07 08:21:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the recruiter will give him the list of stuff he can take. First thing in boot camp they sit them down and make them write home so they dont get a bunch of concerned phone calls, yes they can get mail and will want it, they will have the return addy on the first letter. After a week or two they can call too.
2006-10-07 02:58:26 · answer #8 · answered by David B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He will be able to get mail and gift packages of small items like cookies and candies, his locker will not be that big besides hopefully he will share with the rest of his troop, dont worry he will have a learning experience
2006-10-07 03:20:34 · answer #9 · answered by paki 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
should he have chosen the US Marines Corps the few and best trained he will not need anything the Marine corps will provide all the essentials his civilian clothes will be mailed home free of charge Just look forward to graduation day and see your son be called a U.S Marine on the parade deck he will look and act different so don't' \be surprised should he not hug and kiss and call you Mam and Sir welcome pretty much same for army Semper FI
2006-10-07 03:09:25 · answer #10 · answered by aldo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋