Care Packages to USNA

J

JmeBeMe

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As you new parents begin to prepare & send care packages to your Plebes, there are International Students & others who may not have the family support or family ability to send them comforts and treats from home.
Just a reminder that you can mail an extra care package to:

Any Plebe
Attn: Chaplains Center
101 Cooper Rd
Annapolis, MD 21402

Their offices work closely with the Detailers to distribute packages to those who may not otherwise receive one.
I also often sent a large box of granola bars or fruit snacks from Sam's to my Mid adding a note to share with his Company.
And Detailers like to get treats too. ;)
 
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I sent my DS a tube of this over Plebe Summer, knowing full well that he had a female Detailer who watched him unpack his care package.
He said she turned beet red. He told me not to do that again. Mission accomplished.

Semper Fi.
 
:) That's too funny. Any thoughts on what is an "acceptable" number of care packages to send during plebe summer? Don't want to draw too much attention (too many packages) but also want to make sure he feels supported. Thoughts?
 
We sent 2. It's only 6 weeks, after all. You can pack a lot of stuff in a Priority Mail box. We used the ones that are the size of a shoe box. They were usually in the mail room in 2 or 3 days. If you live on the left coast, maybe figure another day.
 
There are conflicting posts floating around regarding care packages and when they will receive them. Does anybody know if they are able to receive packages during ROM?
 
According to DD, a 2/C detailer, she’s not allowed to receive any packages until ROM is over. So it only makes sense that the same is true for plebes. (DD has a care package from a cousin that’s been sitting in the mailroom since spring break. Cousin said not to worry — nothing perishable in it. Thank goodness.)
 
MidCakePa said:
According to DD, a 2/C detailer, she’s not allowed to receive any packages until ROM is over. So it only makes sense that the same is true for plebes. (DD has a care package from a cousin that’s been sitting in the mailroom since spring break. Cousin said not to worry — nothing perishable in it. Thank goodness.)
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that poor mailroom...

I have heard it’s company specific, but that doesn’t make sense. I heard from DS, he actually requested snacks bc he is hungry.

BTW, is it the same for letters?
 
Care packages are nice and when they ask for specific things they are always appreciated. Letters... they are the most important thing! Even boring details about the dog, weather or what Aunt Suzy is doing. Obviously this isn’t a normal summer with a lot of sitting the first two weeks then it will be turned up very quickly. Even if they are hungry and want some snacks (I know your grocery bill just dropped as you know how much they can eat) they are getting enough to eat at the end of the day.
 
+1 to @NavyHoops. Snacks are nice, but they’re well fed and there’s plenty to go around. No one is going hungry during PS.

But letters...they’re priceless. And they can be incredibly simple. You can write about the simplest, most mundane details and it’ll be appreciated.

Or you can be crafty. For DD, I found a couple dozen photos of her from different points of childhood. I printed one each on a sheet of paper, then wrote a pithy, clever message next to it. (Think “dad humor.” Nothing heavy — just a simple thing to make her smile.) For example, I sent a photo of her at 10 years old, sitting atop a bunk at summer camp. Made some comment about how she had experience sleeping on thin mattresses high off the ground with others around her. Sent her a letter every couple days, with barely any effort. I know it was appreciated.
 
NavyHoops said:
Care packages are nice and when they ask for specific things they are always appreciated. Letters... they are the most important thing! Even boring details about the dog, weather or what Aunt Suzy is doing. Obviously this isn’t a normal summer with a lot of sitting the first two weeks then it will be turned up very quickly. Even if they are hungry and want some snacks (I know your grocery bill just dropped as you know how much they can eat) they are getting enough to eat at the end of the day.
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Additional to the letters from home, I downloaded the My Postcard App. Anytime I snap a pic of the dog doing something funny, the giant trout brother caught, the fire blazing sunset in the front pasture...I could turn in into a quick postcard to be mailed straight from my phone. SUPER easy and my Mid loved getting them! His Company wasn't all into embarrassment but essentially Detailers could read them aloud since they weren't in envelopes (they are an option to add on the app) so keep that in mind when you add the message.
 
militarymom2020 said:
There are conflicting posts floating around regarding care packages and when they will receive them. Does anybody know if they are able to receive packages during ROM?
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Please see attached FAQ from Elizabeth Beedenbender from the Alumni Association. It states that Plebes will be able to receive care packages during ROM
 

Attachments

Even a short letter instead of a care package to any Mid who doesn’t get mail would be appreciated. Give them encouragement and wish them luck. Even introduce yourself... names aren’t needed. Trust me, it would be appreciated more than you know.
 
NavyHoops said:
Even a short letter instead of a care package to any Mid who doesn’t get mail would be appreciated. Give them encouragement and wish them luck. Even introduce yourself... names aren’t needed. Trust me, it would be appreciated more than you know.
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That actually just reminded me that I did get a letter (within a greater care package of snacks) from an anonymous parent who addressed it to “Any Plebe”. Was certainly nice to know that even people I didn’t know were supportive and thinking of us all.
 
A fellow state mom just posted that her son received an amazon package that his friends ordered for him....that the amazon package is in her sons hands. So at least some are getting through for certain.

We had also been told they could receive beginning July 2nd...which is the last report date. So who knows. I think they are winging it certainly for some things. As the Dant said, they are 'building the plane as they fly it..."

BTW...my own son is in isolation due to contact with a positive COVID person. We found out after he reported, and called BMU. First time I have ever felt compelled to call unsa ever, but since it was a screening question, I thought it prudent in these times. As I didn't know his test results, and this whole COVID thing. They were thankful for the info.

He is negative, but under an abundance of caution, they have a floor for ones that reported and answered 'yes' to that question upon screening...and/or had symptoms. And he was moved there. We had contact for a bit, so got some info. They go outside, and he ran...he guessed about 30 in his situation (isolation/observation). He is negative and no symptoms. But alone, the door closed. Better food. Better pillows. Checked on several times a day. The positive cases are on the floor above him. They have a good plan and its in force! That is my gouge!
 
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Tiger84 said:
:) That's too funny. Any thoughts on what is an "acceptable" number of care packages to send during plebe summer? Don't want to draw too much attention (too many packages) but also want to make sure he feels supported. Thoughts?
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Send as many as you want. People over think this. Their may be one or two hard a$$ detailers, but most don't care.

We did not realize, but our DD was known to get more than her share of care packages. She had aunts and friends plus us sending them. I would put things in there to embarrass her. My DW, MidSib and I also sent a letter each day. When we met here company mates early in the AC Year, they joked about how the detailers would say every time she got a care package "congratulation plebe ____, your parents love you..."
 
Gabe_ said:
Send as many as you want. People over think this. Their may be one or two hard a$$ detailers, but most don't care.

We did not realize, but our DD was known to get more than her share of care packages. She had aunts and friends plus us sending them. I would put things in there to embarrass her. My DW, MidSib and I also sent a letter each day. When we met here company mates early in the AC Year, they joked about how the detailers would say every time she got a care package "congratulation plebe ____, your parents love you..."
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The problem is where do they store it? My son received his first care package and he advised me not to send anymore stuff until after ROM. Theres no room to store it LOL
 
Gabe_ said:
Send as many as you want. People over think this. Their may be one or two hard a$$ detailers, but most don't care.

We did not realize, but our DD was known to get more than her share of care packages. She had aunts and friends plus us sending them. I would put things in there to embarrass her. My DW, MidSib and I also sent a letter each day. When we met here company mates early in the AC Year, they joked about how the detailers would say every time she got a care package "congratulation plebe ____, your parents love you..."
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You may think so at this time but getting through Plebe Summer is only the very beginning of the relationship with classmates. What the detailers allow or not is less of an issue than being asked for the next 50 or more years "Got any new cookies to share?" or "Tell your mom to send some different deoderant", etc. I had companymates who "stuck out" during plebe summer and still hear about it after 45 years (about to click another number this week). I can tell you that the best thing for the PLEBE is to NOT stick out as the care package king (or queen). If you want to send things to make yourself feel closer or whatever, that is fine but realize that it becomes more about you as opposed to them.
 
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