Write2Them

4lom11

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
15
I have a quick question for anyone familiar with the mail process during BCT. Specifically through Write2Them I have heard that it is better not to attach/send photos because the cadres can yell at them for this. Is this true or is it okay to send photos during BCT? Thank you
 
Sometimes in the past, (Each year is different), photos would be taken from the basics and given back after BCT. They could hold onto the letters. But no photos. One way around this, was parents would write letters using word processing instead of hand written. This way they could INSERT a picture into the document. Then print it out and send it. (thus, no separate photos). Usually, the pictures were actually of the cadet and others in his flight that the parent found on webguy or similar. Those types of pictures were usually overlooked because they actually PROMOTED team work and camaraderie. Probably want to stay away from pictures of family and back home.

Pictures attached from webguy actually were pretty good moral boosters. Cadets and their new friends could look at themselves and think...... "Boy we look dorky". And they'd laugh about it and actually grow closer.

But again; each class/year is different. I would stay away from sending physical, separate, family type photos.
 
It definitely is year and flight dependent. However, I will warn that when my parents sent photos embedded in the letter, the letter was not taken away, but I was given "special treatment" simply because it separated me from the rest.

This reaction is not particularly common, but depending on the photo/cadre, it is a possibility.
 
Definitely had all letters with photos embedded taken from me. As previously stated, it depends on the flight.
 
Really, do you want to be setting an example to your cadet that the rules don't apply to your family? No photos for six weeks will make them that much more valuable at the end. Be a good role model -- show your basic what following the rules looks like!
 
As mentioned a couple of times, every year is different. The OP didn't say it was a rule they were trying to get around. Only that it was something they heard. And that's true, you do hear this. But it's also true that some allow photos. Especially if they are embedded and especially if they are of the basic trainee and their teammates from webguy. It is best for the basic trainee to tell the parent what they can and can't have.

And that is my advise for all things in the next four years. When parents on the forum ask a million questions about the academy such as, can my cadet have this, when do they get their phone, when are vacations, when are finals over, etc. my answer is always, ASK YOUR cadet.

Believe it or not, while the academy and military life may seem confusing to you, it's not for your cadet. There is almost no ambiguity at all. The military is a society totally built on rules. And your cadet knows what they are. And more importantly, if they don't know something, they know where to find the answer.

So, this isn't about finding ways around following the rules. It's realizing that each year, each squadron, each week can and will be different. That was mentioned a number of times in this thread. Maybe it's no separate photos and embedded is ok. Maybe it no photos of home and family, but webguy photos of the cadet and their teammates training are fine. Maybe you should ask your cadet what they can and can't have. They will know better than ANY poster on this forum. Why? Because they hav been told, or they know where the answer is; and because such rules change yearly, per class and squadron, and sometimes even weekly.
 
I have seen this come up numerous times on the various 2020 FB pages I am on.

Why do people insist on trying to push the envelope!?

Do not send photos. Do not imbed photos. Do not send photo cards. Do not send packages.

Is that so hard to understand and follow? If my kid cant hack not receiving any of those then maybe he shouldnt be there.
 
Or, maybe your kid could ASK what is allowed, instead of having parents trying to figure it out for them.

And as has been mentioned previously, take this advice when asking all the future questions about parent's weekend, cell phones, what to send, thanksgiving, finals, christmas, etc. ASK YOUR KID. They either know the answer, or they know where to find the answer. Why is this so difficult? Hint: It's not.
 
3 more posts today on our private FB squadron page from parents regarding photos and their kids telling them in letters to not send them or colored paper etc. Parents that have been imbedding images on write 2 them.....

It is taking a lot of patience for me to refrain from commenting.

It's ironic that our kids are following very strict rules but some of the parents refuse to! Probably some of the same parents that are literally calling the academy about not seeing their kids in webguy photos.

Unbelievable.
 
The rules are there for a reason. It may not be apparent or even understandable to parents that don't have a military background but your cadet does or will understand the reasoning in short order. Mom, Dad, your job is done for now. Keep being parents and support your cadet but allow him or her to find their own way in the new world they have entered. Take direction from them in the future. If you raised them to the point they managed to get accepted to the Academy, then trust in the fact that you probably did an outstanding job of parenting and let them soar. The old adage is if the military thinks you should have it, they'll issue it to you. Your cadet is now military and probably subscribes to this. Great job Mom and Dad.
 
Definitely agree Jag. Kids tell parents what they can and can't have, yet a parent doesn't listen. They act as if THEY know better than their kid who is at the academy. This is why it's so important that the reply on this or any type of forum when someone asks something about the day to day rules of the academy is........... "Ask your Kid". They are the ones that will know.

And if you think it's confusing now, get ready for a really inconsistent time. There's going to be times on this and other forums/media when one poster says yes to something and another will say no;.... and they'll BOTH be right. There will will be different privileges/rules/whatever you want to call it, for different academy squadrons and flights. When Basic Training is over, SOME cadets will get their cell phones back immediately. Some won't get them until parent's weekend. Some squadrons will allow certain possessions, luxuries, etc. while another squadron won't.

This inconsistency or whatever someone may think of it, is NOT really inconsistent. The military, and as such the academy, is about the team. Each flight/squadron/group will be different than another. Privileges, rules, etc. are tools for discipline. For some, those tools may be used and for others they may not. In the end, when it comes to the day to day life of a cadet, parents, friends, and families need to ask their cadet for the facts. Don't try and get the answer on a forum and believe it is gospel. What you read could be the truth; for SOME. For others, it's not. We've seen phones, computers, accessories, etc. differ for different squadrons. We've seen some cadets have a weekend off; while others were on campus at the dorms. Some will be released for holiday/spring/summer breaks at a different time than some others. There are so many variables that differ between cadets; and that's why the RIGHT ANSWER is the answer that your cadet gives you. No other answer.
 
As a cadre, I am glad that so many people care about my basics to send them lots of great stuff. Encouragement is awesome. However, it is very frustrating when I have to waste 20 minutes in the mailroom while my basics sift through items that are clearly contraband, such as embedded photos and cards. Thank you to those who have asked the question to clarify- much better to ask than send 17 cards and pictures to a basic and hope for the best. I promise they can live with just plain letters for a couple of weeks, it still means a lot to them!
 
The rules are there for a reason. It may not be apparent or even understandable to parents that don't have a military background but your cadet does or will understand the reasoning in short order. Mom, Dad, your job is done for now. Keep being parents and support your cadet but allow him or her to find their own way in the new world they have entered. Take direction from them in the future. If you raised them to the point they managed to get accepted to the Academy, then trust in the fact that you probably did an outstanding job of parenting and let them soar. The old adage is if the military thinks you should have it, they'll issue it to you. Your cadet is now military and probably subscribes to this. Great job Mom and Dad.
So how many kids do you have? We know there are rules to follow, but OUR job as parents is never done, it just changes. Not everyone was brought up in a military background, so they have to learn the ropes , too.
 
So how many kids do you have? We know there are rules to follow, but OUR job as parents is never done, it just changes. Not everyone was brought up in a military background, so they have to learn the ropes , too.
In answer to your question, three that were raised as military dependents, one of which is currently serving and now one of their children currently at a service academy. I myself managed to put in enough years to see one major conflict along with a couple of minor ones until retirement. I realize that our jobs as parents is never done however I subscribe that the job changes once they become adults and branch out on their own. Basically from teaching and guiding to one of support. Sorry if I made it sound like something it wasn't meant to be.
 
As mentioned, there is just a lot of conflicting information. The parents' liaison just sent out a note that cards and colored envelopes were actually okay and to keep sending them. So I think that's some of the frustration as that seems like an official source.

Personally, I've stalked these forums enough to have learned that my role is changing and that has far more implications than whether I can send a cute picture of a puppy to my DS. I am learning to let go. It's not always easy and occasionally involves talking to myself but I worked very hard to raise independent children. I couldn't be prouder of the path my son chose even when it breaks my heart to see his empty room. We are supposed to give them roots and wings. I credit long time posters with their no nonsense posts for preparing me for this summer. They feel harsh sometimes but it's also the voice in my head when I might go down the path of sweating the small stuff.

My son's letters have been mostly positive and he hadn't even been to his mailbox yet. I am perfectly fine to send letters and write2them emails without pictures. It really doesn't seem like such a big deal - they can handle 6 weeks of plain white stationary if they can handle all of the other challenges that BCT presents. I think we are fortunate to have Webguy and the email service to feel connected to our kids.
 
3 more posts today on our private FB squadron page from parents regarding photos and their kids telling them in letters to not send them or colored paper etc. Parents that have been imbedding images on write 2 them.....

It is taking a lot of patience for me to refrain from commenting.

It's ironic that our kids are following very strict rules but some of the parents refuse to! Probably some of the same parents that are literally calling the academy about not seeing their kids in webguy photos.

Unbelievable.

:bang:Probably the same parents that call the academy to demand immediate answers as to why their little Johnny/Janie has 2 pictures and everyone else has 3 on webguy. And we wonder why some kids can't seem to follow the rules set before them. Come on parents, the rules are simple: plain envelopes, no embedded or loose pictures, no perfumed letters, no colored paper and no cards. And following these rules doesn't make you less of a parent, doesn't take into consideration if you have a military background or not, and it does not bring special attention to your cadet and the others that are around him/her.
 
As mentioned, there is just a lot of conflicting information. The parents' liaison just sent out a note that cards and colored envelopes were actually okay and to keep sending them. So I think that's some of the frustration as that seems like an official source.

Personally, I've stalked these forums enough to have learned that my role is changing and that has far more implications than whether I can send a cute picture of a puppy to my DS. I am learning to let go. It's not always easy and occasionally involves talking to myself but I worked very hard to raise independent children. I couldn't be prouder of the path my son chose even when it breaks my heart to see his empty room. We are supposed to give them roots and wings. I credit long time posters with their no nonsense posts for preparing me for this summer. They feel harsh sometimes but it's also the voice in my head when I might go down the path of sweating the small stuff.

My son's letters have been mostly positive and he hadn't even been to his mailbox yet. I am perfectly fine to send letters and write2them emails without pictures. It really doesn't seem like such a big deal - they can handle 6 weeks of plain white stationary if they can handle all of the other challenges that BCT presents. I think we are fortunate to have Webguy and the email service to feel connected to our kids.
We got that same email passed along through our parent organization. I was surprised since my basic told us specifically to send nothing with an image (we didn't know not to do that) and the second he told us that I made sure everyone writing him knew to stop sending pictures ASAP.

It's not difficult, just follow the rules.
 
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