MarineCorpsBootCampSurvival.com

Hi there… The thing about the DI’s on Parris Island is they pretty much can hold whatever they want until graduation. Your recruit should receive your packages, and will need to open them in front of his Senior Drill Instructor. He should have no problem taking the stamps and envelopes but the vitamins and powder are big ‘ifs’. When I was in his shoes, my mother sent me vitamins, but I had to turn them in to the SDI. Any envelopes/stamps/writing gear I received I was allowed to keep though.

Also remember that it IS going through the stone-age of military postal services. It can take quite a while to get things in boot-camp.

Another good tip I can give you, is if you’re going to send him anything like power bars, make sure you send enough for the whole Platoon. Usually around 65-75 recruits. The SDI will take them, but will more than likely give them out if the recruits perform "satisfactorily" on a certain training exercise, or if they’re at a certain training event, like right before range week.

No promises though.

Keep sending him letters/pictures! The recruits live for Mail Call! You’ll make it 100x easier for him if he gets mail all the time.

Hope I answered your Q plus some.

-LCpl Baytarian, USMC

Generally you aren’t allowed to send anything but letters and pics in bootcamp, so he should get the letters that you sent but they’ll probably take anything else away (although they’ll probably give him the stamps and envelopes)

My son is at Parris Island now. He arrived on 7/12/10. He has not received any letters yet from anyone. We have all sent tons of letters. Do they hold your mail? What is the normal turn around for him to get his letters.

Editor Note: You NEVER have to worry about your recruit NOT getting what you send. They are bound by Federal Law to deliver the mail.

With that being said they may be asked to open the box in full view of the recruit platoon. Refrain from send junk food or anything that will embarrass the recruit. It is suggested you save the care packages for AFTER bootcamp.