I was wondering if I would be able to bring pre addressed and stamped post cards? I heard that you might not be able to receive them. In the appointee book, it said that you should bring stamps and stationary. I also do plan on bringing paper and envelopes, but postcards would be shorter and they have a fun picture.
Postcards?
- Thread starter KiwiBird
- Start date
Short answer - yes.
You can go off the list and add some things, especially if small, like hair bun making items.
We gave DD lots of fun stamps, like Scooby Doo and Matchbox cars, and they seem to all be forever stamps now. She always wrote meaty letters, so I doubt she would have picked a postcard, and instead sent us letters in great detail and hand drawn pictures. For paper-y things, she used a clear plastic enclosed folder (stamps, paper, envelopes, a few pens/pencils/sharpie, some important papers). This is a different folder than the one with USAFA forms that you will hand carry in with you (and hopefully not have to do carpool line like we did!)
You can go off the list and add some things, especially if small, like hair bun making items.
We gave DD lots of fun stamps, like Scooby Doo and Matchbox cars, and they seem to all be forever stamps now. She always wrote meaty letters, so I doubt she would have picked a postcard, and instead sent us letters in great detail and hand drawn pictures. For paper-y things, she used a clear plastic enclosed folder (stamps, paper, envelopes, a few pens/pencils/sharpie, some important papers). This is a different folder than the one with USAFA forms that you will hand carry in with you (and hopefully not have to do carpool line like we did!)
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I wouldn't bring postcards - they confiscated anything and everything with a photo, and you'll be better off just pre-addressing some envelopes to your family so you can just scribble a quick note and send it. During basic, I usually only spend like 5 minutes writing letters, and so I was glad I had pre-addressed envelopes. Also, they issued us some really nice stationery with USAFA letterhead and envelopes and stamps, so even those who didn't bring stuff had it.
lipton_hot_tea
Member
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If you can't have pictures go to Michaels and find their blank card sets in the scrapbook and sticker area. Use a coupon and for under $10 you will have enough to share. They sell them in white, off white, and kraft brown.
https://www.michaels.com/value-pack-cards-and-envelopes-recollections/M10205015.html
https://www.michaels.com/value-pack-cards-and-envelopes-recollections/M10205015.html
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Or go to the local post office and buy . . . . Postcards.
They sell them with the postage already on them. Probably the lowest cost option.
All I know is that it is on the check list. I plan on bringing some just in case.
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We have had some fun over the years with parents reporting they have made up fill-in-the-blank cards or letters for the appointee to take. Makes it easy for an exhausted newbie to execute.
“Best thing I ate this week was ____.”
“Coolest thing we did was ____.•
”Funniest thing I saw was____.”
“Send _____.”
“Stop sending ____.”
“Please tell _____ that I ______.”
“Overall, I am ______.”
“I miss _____.”
“Best thing I ate this week was ____.”
“Coolest thing we did was ____.•
”Funniest thing I saw was____.”
“Send _____.”
“Stop sending ____.”
“Please tell _____ that I ______.”
“Overall, I am ______.”
“I miss _____.”
@Capt MJ is on the right track!
@KiwiBird , your parents will get access to 2 fill-in-the-blank forms that most parents take advantage of. They are 4 pages and multiple choice questions. They are for BCT 1 and BCT 2 (Jacks Valley). Parents - you print them and then mail them to your child to fill out.
@KiwiBird , your parents will get access to 2 fill-in-the-blank forms that most parents take advantage of. They are 4 pages and multiple choice questions. They are for BCT 1 and BCT 2 (Jacks Valley). Parents - you print them and then mail them to your child to fill out.
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- Apr 16, 2010
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- 1,185
@KiwiBird - assume time for writing is limited. Often, you will be choosing between writing or sleep. With the best of intentions, you will want to write, but may find sleep more rewarding. Communicate to your family and friends that radio silence from you is not a bad thing and that they should write often. You will write as much as your schedule allows.
Post cards are great, but realize anything you put on there is going to be read by your cadre. I like the envelope approach personally. The premade form letter sounds like a great way of quickly getting something out to them and will free you from decision fatigue as you effort to clear your head and focus on what is important to say and won't make your mom freak out in a panic.
On a cool note, BCT was 26 years ago and my mom recently showed me a scrap book where she kept every letter I had written and printed every email from my time at USAFA. It was neat to look back at those first days. I didn't know they were important enough for her to keep - but they were.
Post cards are great, but realize anything you put on there is going to be read by your cadre. I like the envelope approach personally. The premade form letter sounds like a great way of quickly getting something out to them and will free you from decision fatigue as you effort to clear your head and focus on what is important to say and won't make your mom freak out in a panic.
On a cool note, BCT was 26 years ago and my mom recently showed me a scrap book where she kept every letter I had written and printed every email from my time at USAFA. It was neat to look back at those first days. I didn't know they were important enough for her to keep - but they were.
To anyone that is interested, here is a cut and paste of the email I sent to my family (on 05/12/2020; I specifically did NOT tell them the package address since it would just confuse everyone):
DD wanted me to share her mailing address:
Cadet DD
PO Box XXXX
USAF Academy, CO 80841
This is her permanent address for letters (packages will have a different address).
TIPS:
During Basic Training, please follow these instructions, or else DD may receive unwanted "special attention from the Cadre":
Basic training is currently scheduled for June 25, 2020 to August 1, 2020. Check with DH or HCopter to confirm start date and when to begin mailing letters.
1. Formal address during this period is: Basic Cadet DD; PO Box XXXX; USAF Academy, CO 80841 (she is a Basic Cadet, not yet earned the distinction of Cadet)
2. Absolutely NO postcards, packages (that will be a different address given after Basic Training), or inserts of ANY kind (photos, newspaper clipping, stickers - NO)
3. Use simple, plain envelopes and stationary - again, do NOT draw attention to the Cadre!
4. While DD will open her letters, ANY letter opened may be read OUT LOUD! (No postcards!)
Your MESSAGE is what is important, not the packaging.
DD wanted me to share her mailing address:
Cadet DD
PO Box XXXX
USAF Academy, CO 80841
This is her permanent address for letters (packages will have a different address).
TIPS:
During Basic Training, please follow these instructions, or else DD may receive unwanted "special attention from the Cadre":
Basic training is currently scheduled for June 25, 2020 to August 1, 2020. Check with DH or HCopter to confirm start date and when to begin mailing letters.
1. Formal address during this period is: Basic Cadet DD; PO Box XXXX; USAF Academy, CO 80841 (she is a Basic Cadet, not yet earned the distinction of Cadet)
2. Absolutely NO postcards, packages (that will be a different address given after Basic Training), or inserts of ANY kind (photos, newspaper clipping, stickers - NO)
3. Use simple, plain envelopes and stationary - again, do NOT draw attention to the Cadre!
4. While DD will open her letters, ANY letter opened may be read OUT LOUD! (No postcards!)
Your MESSAGE is what is important, not the packaging.
BuckeyeDad20
Member
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- 317
My experience...
My DS got mail maybe once or twice a week. I wrote him something everyday, but he he would get them in batches. He might have written us 3 or 4 times over BCT which was totally fine. As the above had said, time writing is time not sleeping usually. He was my last one to leave home so writing him everyday was my coping mechanism probably.
As far as pics go...I made memes to try to get him to laugh which was always an image of some kind. This didn't go over as well as I had hoped. He never got in trouble or had them confiscated - he shared some with other Basics - maybe it made it through because it was an image on the same paper as the letter and not an insert? My error was that I was producing memes ala 2016, and not 2020. Apparently, as a dad, I was out of touch with the latest in meme technology and protocol. He appreciated the effort, but mentioned that my creations were "old school". I couldn't resist comparing his webguy photos with Bane from Batman since all the cadets had black face-masks on and were bald.
Though his favorite was when I took his webguy photo from Jack's Valley and turned it into the cover of Call of Duty. I also photoshopped him into any war movie scene I could think of. Yes, I missed him a lot and now realize I was doing it for me more than him probably.
In any case, we were thrilled to get a letter when we did, though sometimes there was a lag and the letter came after a phone call and was redundant at that point. I think the '24s got an extra phone call because of COVID. My suggestion to parents is not to put any pressure on your Cadet to write to you, but write them as much as you want. I think most importantly parents, write immediately. The letters meant more to him in the beginning, especially that first mail drop. As he went through, he adjusted, adapted, made friends, etc, and they learn to rely on one another more than folks back home.
My DS got mail maybe once or twice a week. I wrote him something everyday, but he he would get them in batches. He might have written us 3 or 4 times over BCT which was totally fine. As the above had said, time writing is time not sleeping usually. He was my last one to leave home so writing him everyday was my coping mechanism probably.
As far as pics go...I made memes to try to get him to laugh which was always an image of some kind. This didn't go over as well as I had hoped. He never got in trouble or had them confiscated - he shared some with other Basics - maybe it made it through because it was an image on the same paper as the letter and not an insert? My error was that I was producing memes ala 2016, and not 2020. Apparently, as a dad, I was out of touch with the latest in meme technology and protocol. He appreciated the effort, but mentioned that my creations were "old school". I couldn't resist comparing his webguy photos with Bane from Batman since all the cadets had black face-masks on and were bald.
Though his favorite was when I took his webguy photo from Jack's Valley and turned it into the cover of Call of Duty. I also photoshopped him into any war movie scene I could think of. Yes, I missed him a lot and now realize I was doing it for me more than him probably.
In any case, we were thrilled to get a letter when we did, though sometimes there was a lag and the letter came after a phone call and was redundant at that point. I think the '24s got an extra phone call because of COVID. My suggestion to parents is not to put any pressure on your Cadet to write to you, but write them as much as you want. I think most importantly parents, write immediately. The letters meant more to him in the beginning, especially that first mail drop. As he went through, he adjusted, adapted, made friends, etc, and they learn to rely on one another more than folks back home.
Last edited:
OMG am I really this bossy? Rhetorical question. Yes.
Follow up email to family on 06/15/2020:
DD will in-process in 10 days! You may begin writing letters today so she will have something in the mailbox in their first visit to the mailbox during Basic Training!
Letters are very important for the Basic Cadet's morale. Words of encouragement are greatly appreciated!
Guidelines:
1. LETTERS ONLY - NO packages, photos, newspaper clippings, or inserts of ANY kind! No postcards either (too easily read by cadre!). Packages will be allowed starting September and there will be a different address for those. I will send a new email then to clarify what is allowed.
2. Use plain envelopes and plain paper, including the stamp! (American flag forever stamp is good, for example). Send nothing that will "stand out" and cause DD to get "special attention" from the cadre!
3. Tone of letters: Uplifting and encouraging. Do not say things like, we miss you, wish you were here, look at what's your missing, or anything that would cause her to be more homesick. Nothing political, of course. Suggested topics: Words of advice, anything encouraging, supportive of her AND her squadron/Class of 2024, a funny story, tasteful jokes, something about your day, etc.
4. Please do not expect a timely reply letter from DD. She will be very busy and exhausted.
5. Tips: number your letters (#1, #2). Letters may be delivered out of order. I plan on sending her at least one letter each week, numbered 1-6 and mailing them each Monday. They will not get mail everyday, and may only go as a group to get mail once a week.
Her address:
Basic Cadet DD
Basic Squadron: XXX
PO Box XXX
USAF Academy, CO 80841
Make sure to use BASIC Cadet DD. She has not earned the right to be called Cadet DD until 08/01 on Acceptance Day (ie, accepted into the Long Blue Line!). Also use her squadron which is ONLY for basic training. There are 8 squadrons during basic training, then then will move into 1 of 40 squads of 100 (25 per class) for the academic year. They will switch squads after 2 years. Her PO Box will be the SAME for all 4 years.
Follow up email to family on 06/15/2020:
DD will in-process in 10 days! You may begin writing letters today so she will have something in the mailbox in their first visit to the mailbox during Basic Training!
Letters are very important for the Basic Cadet's morale. Words of encouragement are greatly appreciated!
Guidelines:
1. LETTERS ONLY - NO packages, photos, newspaper clippings, or inserts of ANY kind! No postcards either (too easily read by cadre!). Packages will be allowed starting September and there will be a different address for those. I will send a new email then to clarify what is allowed.
2. Use plain envelopes and plain paper, including the stamp! (American flag forever stamp is good, for example). Send nothing that will "stand out" and cause DD to get "special attention" from the cadre!
3. Tone of letters: Uplifting and encouraging. Do not say things like, we miss you, wish you were here, look at what's your missing, or anything that would cause her to be more homesick. Nothing political, of course. Suggested topics: Words of advice, anything encouraging, supportive of her AND her squadron/Class of 2024, a funny story, tasteful jokes, something about your day, etc.
4. Please do not expect a timely reply letter from DD. She will be very busy and exhausted.
5. Tips: number your letters (#1, #2). Letters may be delivered out of order. I plan on sending her at least one letter each week, numbered 1-6 and mailing them each Monday. They will not get mail everyday, and may only go as a group to get mail once a week.
Her address:
Basic Cadet DD
Basic Squadron: XXX
PO Box XXX
USAF Academy, CO 80841
Make sure to use BASIC Cadet DD. She has not earned the right to be called Cadet DD until 08/01 on Acceptance Day (ie, accepted into the Long Blue Line!). Also use her squadron which is ONLY for basic training. There are 8 squadrons during basic training, then then will move into 1 of 40 squads of 100 (25 per class) for the academic year. They will switch squads after 2 years. Her PO Box will be the SAME for all 4 years.
Our son wrote us a letter almost everyday of BCT and we wrote him one as well. Before BCT he was not a letter writer and since BCT he hasn't written a letter either. He liked writing each night during BCT to recap what went on during the days and I have saved all of his letters. When he came home at Christmas he brought all of the letters he received from us along with his grandparents, brothers, and friends. I am planning on making an album of sorts along with all of the WebGuy photos I have of him throughout BCT.