Mail Question - Basic Cadet - Pictures?

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PRS22

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Hi everyone — I’m new to the academy support life, my little sister is in the academy currently in basic.

My question is regarding mail. My little sister gave me her mailing address and told me about the white envelopes, etc. and not to use flamboyant envelopes or anything but didn’t give me any other rules. I had learned about sandboxx just from google and it had an option to include photos and since it is advertised for bootcamp and military, I foolishly assumed pictures were allowed. I never included anything inappropriate obviously, but pictures nonetheless.

I was googling to see how long mail took to get to the academy and stumbled upon this thread. In 2017 someone said that cadres would take the entire letter without even letting them read it if pictures were included. Is this true? I feel absolutely horrible, if I had been told this was a rule, I never would have sent any. Everything I had read about bootcamp, people recommended sending pictures, memes, etc., and I didn’t even think that the Academy rules would differ from the recruits in bootcamp; so when I’d read these things, I assumed they’d be relevant to her. My little sister is 15 years younger than me, even my 9 year old sent a picture of a pikachu for her.

Is there anyone who has been through basic training through the academy as a basic cadet recently or has family who has, more recently than 2017 who can advise me? Obviously from now on I will be sending only letters, is sandboxx even okay? Those envelopes have red and white stripes on the perimeter. I’m overthinking everything now.

Please be kind, I feel awful reading this and my heart hurts thinking I could have made things even harder for her inadvertently.

Thank you in advance for your help.
 
My son is in BCT right now as well. We have been using mostly Sandboxx and I know that the letters are being delivered as he replied to one of them using the prepaid/labeled postage. The pictures are a bit squad dependent from what we’ve heard. So although there isn’t an issue with trying to send pictures, I’d encourage sending some letters with and without pictures just in case the pictures are being taken.
 
Oh, this makes me feel so relieved. Thank you so much for replying! I think moving forward I will refrain from pictures just in case she has a strict one. I don’t want to draw any extra attention to her either way. I’m hoping that if she did have the pictures taken away that she could keep the letter part at least. Thank you for your response and very best wishes to your son!!
 
BCT Program Manager said in this year's Parents call that pictures are encouraged.
They are allowed to read their mail. Whatever you're reading should be read in proper context. Sometimes things are squadron dependent, and what happens in one squadron may not apply to another. Confiscated items, assuming they are legal, and appropriate, will be given back at the end of BCT.
You're fine.
 
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snarfly said:
BCT Program Manager said in this year's Parents call that pictures are encouraged.
They are allowed to read their mail. Whatever you're reading should be read in proper context. Sometimes things are squadron dependent, and what happens in one squadron may not apply to another. Confiscated items, assuming they are legal, and appropriate, will be given back at the end of BCT.
You're fine.
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Thank you so much for this! This makes me feel more confident regarding the current rules. In that old thread, they were referencing official rules for the academy and parents were trying to find ways to get past those in terms of photos in mail. I wasn’t trying to be sneaky but then it occurred to me that I didn’t know the rules at all and could be breaking them unintentionally. Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to respond!
 
So as cadre the guidance is to only take photos of they have explicit um stuff. Which was entertaining when I had to review an "almost Friday" photo. Just remember we do review most items, so far I haven't read any letters and only seen a handful of photos to check.

Otherwise cadre love photos too. We love watching them get that support and love from their families and teams. Plus we get a kick out of seeing what was sent even if it is contraband.
 
FlyFalcon said:
So as cadre the guidance is to only take photos of they have explicit um stuff. Which was entertaining when I had to review an "almost Friday" photo. Just remember we do review most items, so far I haven't read any letters and only seen a handful of photos to check.

Otherwise cadre love photos too. We love watching them get that support and love from their families and teams. Plus we get a kick out of seeing what was sent even if it is contraband.
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This is so encouraging to read from an actual cadre! Understood! Thank you so much for responding. :) I can imagine you see some pretty entertaining things sometimes lol

Ironically, I received my first letter from her today and she asked for more pictures— I’m glad to see that worked out! I was imagining her getting smoked for every picture sent and I felt so bad lol My husband is police, so his academy wasn’t military but we could see it going either way.

Thank you for what you all are doing to shape these young ones! The basic cadet families appreciate you all!
 
PRS22 said:
Thank you! Big sister* but I adore her and very proud of her either way! :)
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My apologies! I don’t know why I assumed you were a brother. In any event, you sound like a wonderful big SIBLING! 😇
Your little sister is lucky to have your support.
 
puzzler said:
My apologies! I don’t know why I assumed you were a brother. In any event, you sound like a wonderful big SIBLING! 😇
Your little sister is lucky to have your support.
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That’s okay! No worries at all! Maybe I carry a vibe— I myself have all sons 😅 Thank you so much though!! I’m grateful to be able to be here for her! Excited to watch this journey unfold for her 😊
 
blessedbe said:
My son said they can have photos, but they have to keep them in their lock drawer.
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That’s wonderful to know! I think it may be the same for her— I got my first letter from her today and she asked for more photos. She must be hoping to stash more away in her drawer to look through when she can 😊
 
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