I have over 12 months before this happens BUT
I was wondering.....

I know you are allowed to write to them
while they are in Boot Camp BUT, my Question
is are you allowed to send Packages and IF so
what is it you are allowed to send them while
they are in Boot Camp?

LadyHawk

The Marines here can answer this question more fully seeing as your son will be going into that branch. I can tell you this though, don't send food unless you send enough for his whole training company. Probably wouldn't be allowed by the leathernecks at all is my guess. In the Army though if you didn't have enough for all nobody got any of it. As for writting, write often and get as many friends and relations as you can to write as well. Mail call is an eagerly awaited event every day. Nobody wants to be what my drill sergeant called "the unloved".

I can tell you this though, don't send food unless you send enough for his whole training company. Probably wouldn't be allowed by the leathernecks at all is my guess.

If and I am saying IF sweets are allowed HOW many is in a Training Company?

Are they allowed to make calls or is it just snail Mail Only?

LadyHawk

As Charge 7 advised Do Not send food. Two things may occur one the recruit will never see it or two the recruit will see it and get to eat it at a very rapid pace. Moms Chocolate Chip cookies don't taste great the second time around.

Send letters, cards etc. The recruit will be able to advise you if any other articles are authorized. Really all they will need to know is that you are thinking of them. Evrything else will be provided by the Corps.

We started out with 208 men in my training company but that was decades ago. No idea how big they are now. As both 03USMC and I have said, give up the idea of sending sweets or food of any kind while he's in Basic. You know the old mantra of "the nail that sticks out the furthest gets pounded down the hardest"? Well, it certainly applies to Basic. Getting food is one sure way to make your son stick out to his DI. There'll be plenty of time to send your son goodies (or as my leatherneck father called it "pogey bait") later in his career.

As for phonecalls. I'm sure the Marines allow that. Don't expect one for weeks though and it will be very hurried at that. All you should say is that things are okay at home and that you love him. He doesn't need anything else on his mind while in training. If his dog died, or a friend got hurt etc happens while he's away save it for after training to tell him.

When he gets to MCRD he will get one phone call. It will be "I'm here. I'm Safe. I will write." nothing much more. A total of maybe 45 seconds or less.

Don't expect any other phone calls until graduation.


The Marine Corps Training Platoons average about 80 recruits at pick up. Mine had 86.

As far as I know they are not allowed any packeages at all. Best bet would be send a letter and nothin more. Anythin other than that can lead to problems for him. Make sure there is nothin on the outside of the envelope also, just his name and address and your name and address, NOTHIN ELSE, trust me on this.

Sooner were you a "Lover Boy"?

No packages. And he might want to advise his female friends not to send photos if they don't want to become part of the Hog Board.

"Sooner were you a "Lover Boy"?"

Bwa ha ha ha ha! I forgot about that!

Originally Posted by 03USMC

When he gets to MCRD he will get one phone call. It will be "I'm here. I'm Safe. I will write." nothing much more. A total of maybe 45 seconds or less.

Don't expect any other phone calls until graduation.


The Marine Corps Training Platoons average about 80 recruits at pick up. Mine had 86.

Don't forget about the MARS letter you get to send. How many graduated is the harder number, many platoons start at 80 and graduate less than 60.

Also, I remember getting thrashed numerous times for my girlfriends putting diffent little doodles on the outside of the envelope. I think is was the champion at bends and thrusts by the end of boot.