Sending things to your cadet at CIET

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NavyMom24

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My daughter arrived at Fort Knox yesterday for 4 weeks of CIET. This morning she texted me a mailing address and I want to send her some encouraging letters during her time there. But I'm wondering if it is worth sending a care package as well. Does anyone know what CIET cadets can and cannot receive while at Fort Knox?

Also, I should probably change my name on here to ArmyMom because that's the way it all shook down. Although I am a Navy Mother-in-law. ;)
 
Funny story: When I went to Advanced Camp (way back in the...cough...80's), no snacks/candy/etc were allowed. Of course, my girlfriend at the time (now Mrs AggieWill of 25 years) sent me a big stuffed animal, and filled the insides with all sorts of smuggled candy (enough for our platoon). The "gift" arrived while we were out on a FTX, and when we returned: the stuffed animal had been dissected, candy was laying out all over my footlocker, and there was a large handwritten note for me to visit the cadre. Many pushups later (while the O3s munched on the candy) I promised to write my girl, and let her know how much we all enjoyed her gifts! At the time I was literally sweating bullets about my future - only later did I learn the cadre thought it was pretty damn funny. (Side not: I ended up with a 5 at Camp, and graduated as a DMG from Texas A&M). A little candy can go a long way ;)
 
DS went to LTC a few years ago. His grandfather wrote him a few letters of encouragement. Upon seeing the return address on the envelopes as Retired Sergeant Major USMC, the drill sergeants would make him do 100 pushups before they would give him the letters.

Word got back home about this and his grandfather wrote even more letters:biggrin:
 
DS is there now. He was given the address after a week so it seems your DD was lucky to get it earlier! DS was told no candy and no porn, and expect to share whatever is sent with 50 others...
 
It will vary from platoon to platoon. Our cadre were disorganized and we didn't even get the mailing address until 2 1/2 weeks in.
Another platoon got mail the first week.
I've seen care packages while here.
 
No restrictions on care packages...send something they can share and they will be heroes
 
Awesome! Also heard from dd today who is loving CIET despite the drill sergeants' best efforts.

She said she's tired but really loving the experience. Crazy girl. Anyway, I am going to put a care package together for her tonight. Thanks for your help all. Happy Independence Day!
 
Just got back from 1st reg CIET, so my rules may differ slightly but we were not allowed any POG bait (food, candy, gum, etc.), no medications (must be approved by the PA), no weapons/knives. Our cadre took away some Time magazines until recovery but this was not a hard and fast rule. All of our packages and larger envelopes had to be opened in front of cadre for approval. Mail is also very slow and inconsistent, some of mine took a week to be delivered (but none of it came faster than four days). Keep that in mind towards the end of the training cycle.
 
Just graduated CIET two days ago- Letters are fine, but at least for my company no outside food was permitted and all mail had to be opened in front of a group of drill sergeants. It's only 30 days though and half of that is in the field, mail isn't really necessary in my opinion.
 
I'm here at CIET now, I graduate in 2 days.

Unfortunately the Regiments and companies Drill Sergeants differ. My company did not allow candy, food, or listed contraband in packages and made us throw them out.

From what I've heard, some regiments are strict (such as mine), some let cadets buy candy at the PX and have their phones. It all depends.
 
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