Care packages in Boot Camp?

Question

I just heard that in boot camp you could get in trouble and even fined money if you get cookies sent to you while in Army boot camp. Is this correct? I made cookies and would like to send them tomorrow, let me know? Is there a web site that has the rules of care packages? (specificly boot camp).

Answer 1

My hubby is a Drill Sergeant in the Army for BCT (boot camp). Care packages are not recommended in BCT. However, if you insist on sending something, it can only be personal items like pics, toiletries, letters and so on. Many items are contraband in BCT and not allowed. You can't send baked goods, sweets, cigarettes, magazines or alcohol. If you send these items there will be serious consequences for your soldier-to-be and possibly others in his squad or platoon. Don't try to sneak it, because all boxes are opened in front of the Drill Sergeant.

Best suggestion is to just wait until after he graduates BCT. Once he gets to AIT, there's less rules and more freedoms.

Good luck to him!!

Answer 2

It has been a few years since my boot camp, but there were NO care packages accepted. Letters, cards and a once a week phone call(after the first 2 weeks). Things could have changed. Check with your local military recruiting site.

Answer 3

My boyfriend is an infantry man in the US Army he said that you can receive care packages but the only things you can really keep are personal hygiene products such as shaving foam, toothpaste, soap, and face wash. As for any type of food its basically considered contraband because the drill sergeants are trying break civilian habits out of their potential soldiers. Depending on the drill sergeant they will decide if they will eat cookies or whatever in front of you or hand it out to the rest of the company and then get pt'ed.

Answer 4

I was in the Marines. Care packages were allowed. The drill instructors could not withhold mail from the recruits.

I remember one recruit received a cake for the platoon. It was his birthday. The DI gave him 5 minutes to EAT the WHOLE thing and then we all got to go outside for some motivational physical training because his mother wanted him to share it with the platoon.

I suggest you save it for graduation.

Answer 5

Do you have the name of the recruiter who signed your son up? It's sounds like your son is in USMC. The recruiter should have information regarding this question, for that matter call any recruiter in your area, regarding your question. Best to hold off on mailing that package till you get the right answer. When I was in basic, we where not even allowed to purchase candy at the PX.

Answer 6

Untrue for Navy bootcamp.

Depending on the RDC, the packages are usually held until the last fews weeks and then given out to the recruits.

Answer 7

NO care packages. They will get ragged about whatever you send them regardless of what it is and they won't get to keep it. My friend just finished marine boot camp.

Answer 8

My son was in the Navy boot camp for Christmas and the could get nothing and I mean NOTHING, maybe a Christmas card and pictures but that was it.

He told me how they did physical training on Christmas..while singing Christmas Carols.

Answer 9

in basic training you can receive personal items that will benefit you such as toothpaste, soap, shaving cream etc.... The worse thing that could happen is that it will get taken away. you will never get fined any money unless you get an article 15 for something major.

Answer 10

Boot camp is the key word here not nursery school.