I read somewhere about having pre-addressed post cards at the graduation party so people could write encouraging notes to send off during swab/plebe summer. I'd say collect the cards and send them off little by little every couple of days.
We made 50 funny postcards to be sent as well. I think I even have them if you PM me I can send you my email and I can email them to you. Some of them are inside jokes but many are military related.
1. at usna postcards are considered fair game to be read out loud. I knew this so I numbered about 15 postcards (the pictures were all anti WP and USAFA slanted and funny) and wrote an ongoing soap opera about our dog who decided to run away, couldn't make it through navy dodmerb and went to west point. The postcards were about our dog's ongoing adventures at west point. His mail call detailers read them out loud. Son said it was pretty funny and helped give everyone a chuckle.
2. USNA plebe summer Packages are delivered every day, but mail is every few days. So if you really want to send letters put them in packages.
3. Consider check list letters. Here is a sample of one (I wrote six I think which I have):
Son,
Know your are busy so just fill in the blanks:
Week of Plebe summer____
Dear Mom, Dad, (brother, sister, dog)
1. Life here is:
a.) getting better
b.) fantastic, beyond my wildest expectations!
c.) hard, but I can handle it.
d.) please send help!
2. Last night:
a.) I got to bed at _____ and slept for _____ Minutes.
b.)_____Slept, who slept?
3. New Friends:_________________________________
4. My bed is made so tight that the quarter hits the ceiling.
a.) TRUE b.) FALSE c.) that’s weird
5. I plan on making my bed when I get home for Thanksgiving.
a.) TRUE b.) FALSE c.) NEVER d.)LOL hahahahahah
6. My bed is like:
a.) Papa Bear’s – Too hard
b.) Mama Bear’s – Too soft
c.) Baby Bear’s – Just Right
d.) I haven’t tried it out yet
7. Circle all that apply…My Roommate is
(circle all that apply):
Great match…Friendly….Dresses Funny….Quiet…. Sleeps more than me...Loud…. Hates Me….Snores….Do I have a roommate? I prefer to think of him as a cell mate… Of course he thinks I’m cool…smells like Uncle Paul…has nice hair.
8. Have you got any awards yet?
a.) Yes.___________________________________
b.) Not yet, but soon.
c.) No and it doesn’t look likely.
d.) You are kidding, right?
9. Has the yelling at Plebe summer:
a.) Increased
b.)Decreased
c.) I can tell you, but then they’d yell at me.
d.) increased, but still less than Coach Linkovitch
10. On a scale of 1-10 how is your company working as a team?
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
____pitiful
____what’s worse than pitiful?
11. I’m going to go to church:
a.) because I’m learning what a sense of humor God has
b.) because they have free cookies
c.) Pray for me!
d.) To get a break from getting yelled at
12. When I passed my fitness test, I did:
____ push-ups ____ sit ups, I did my run in _____.
13. Who loves you more:
a.) Detailer b.) Mom c.) Lacey (dog)
14. How long does it take to make your bed correctly?
a.) twelve seconds
b.) 2 hours
c.) Haven’t found out yet
d.) Jesus is coming back before I get that done.
15. You passed your swim Test!
a.) TRUE b.) FALSE c.) NEVER
d.) please send my old water wings, a noodle, a life jacket, two kickboards and that blonde lifeguard from Baywatch.
e) Get your money back from that year of swim lessons at the YMCA, seriously.
16. Do these questions EVER end…really Mom…I don’t have time for all these!
17. My favorite thing about Plebe Summer is:
a.) Marching
c.) When do we get to blow things up?
d.) LOVE studying for tests!
e.) I’m the sexiest guy here!
18. My LEAST favorite thing about Plebe Summer is:
a.) I’ve forgotten what sleep is!
b.)Who the heck picked all this grey paint
c. )No hot chocolate
d.) It starts way too early in the morning and I am just not a morning person!
e.) I love every single thing about plebe summer
19. Finally, What I think about Plebe Summer surveys
a. LOVE them! How easy is this? Mom will write to herself for me!
b. MOM! Please! I’m not at summer camp!
c. My mom is a hoot and a half. More plebes need a Mom like her!
20. When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?
Love,
Your grateful son
My son never returned these letters but he did tell me him and his roommates loved them.