Just Received Our Form Letter - Less then a Week!

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Permalink Reply by Kristopher R. Knue on April 15, 2015 at 12:46pm

It's great to get the address so soon.  You feel connected now.  My son is a few weeks ahead of yours in training. 

I'd say to stick with the standard envelope.  Anything larger can be looked at as a package and they are restricted on getting packages.  It's not that the Navy is withholding mail, but that your son has limited storage space.  They can get as many letters as arrive, so break your mail into smaller volumes and use more envelopes.  Any and all mail from outside of RTC is always welcome.  It lets them know there is a world out there beyond the gate.  Have your son let you know of a person in his division that isn't getting as much mail.  "Adopt" that person and send letters too.  It really picks up the spirits and helps in training.  We are all a Navy family.

In addition, don't expect mail from him for a few weeks.  Their first 2 weeks are very busy and they are working on other things.  No offence but they have more important things to worry about than writing to mom & dad.

Welcome Aboard,

Kris K.

USN Ret.

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Permalink Reply by Frank on April 16, 2015 at 7:56am

Thank you, Kris, for the response and you are right about the sense of "connection".

Great idea in regards to adopting a recruit, we will ask our son in our next letter to him. In addition, we will keep our mail as suggested, normal size envelopes, just more of them.

With your son being a few weeks thru I take it you have received correspondences from him, how are things going for your recruit? My wife and I do not have any concerns with our childs seperation, it's the not knowing how he's doing that is the most difficult to deal with. We know it's only for 8 weeks and it will be over before we know it but it still is a challenging time.

Proud to be part of the family. God bless.

Frank

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Permalink Reply by Kristopher R. Knue on April 16, 2015 at 11:13am

He's very positive when we talk to him and what I read in letters.  For the most part my son gets bored easily.  On the other hand he is 22 and better prepared to face the world than I was when I left home at barely 18.  His recruiting office did a good job of preparing him for what to expect.  My main advice was "you're there to learn how to be a sailor, don't interrupt that".  A good attitude and sense of adventure going in is a great help to the recruit. 

As a parent we spend all our lives raising the child God gave us.  Then we turn that young adult over to strangers with the trust they will have the same care.  As a retired Chief that young sailor entrusted to me was my kid too.  There was a family back home that I was responsible to in continuing to develop that kid and help them grow into being a sailor.  RTC is just the first step.  When you go to pass in review you see a new person and know he's in good care.  The US Navy is and has for over 200 years been a very powerful organization.  We got that way by being professional and caring too.

R/

Kris

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Permalink Reply by Frank on April 18, 2015 at 9:55am

With each passing day my excitement and fervor grows exponentially. Once again, thanks for your words of wisdom.

Frank

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