How to Support Someone Going Through Basic Training

So you're spouse, sibling, child, friend or family memeber has decided to join the military. They're going to be sent to a 8 to 12 week long basic training "boot camp" which can be extremely tough for them. Show your support and help them get through it by following a few steps.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Writing materials
• Stamps
• Pictures

1. 
    

   The first and most important step is to write letters. Write them as often as you can, daily if possible. Write about anything that comes to mind. Your recruit is cut off from the world for the next 8 to 12 weeks and getting a letters daily is a GREAT morale booster.

2. 
    

   While it seems like a good idea, DO NOT SEND FOOD!!! Any food, candy, or cookies WILL be confiscated and eaten by their drill instructor or thrown away. Your recruit will not get it, period. This is done because the recruits are on a strict diet and food stored in the barracks can cause rats and bugs to move in.

3. You can send pictures to you're recruit as long as they aren't pornographic in nature. This is a good way to keep your recruit's spirits up, otherwise they may start to dream about boot camp.

4. Your recruit will be extremely busy during basic training and for the first few weeks they'll only be allowed to write on Sunday's so don't panic, worry or feel that they're ignoring you. They aren't.

5. 
    

   Space is extremely limited while your recruit is at basic training so don't send any bulky items. Shampoo and body wash are ok to send (at least with the Navy) but check with your recruit's recruiter about what is ok to send. Each branch is different in what they allow.

Tips & Warnings

• This information was written from experiences with a spouse going through NAVY basic training.
• There is a five to 10 day delay from the time you mail your letter to the time your recruit will actually receive it, even if you overnight it.
• DO NOT SEND FOOD!!! Your recruit will not get it.