<p>I've been writing letters like crazy to my cousin who is a new cadet at WP. I have been including pictures in the letters, but they're not seperate 4x6's or anything like that, they were printed directly onto the printer paper. I don't know if they're allowed to save their letters, so i had no problem with them being thrown out. Nothing out of the ordinary was in the pictures, i just liked sending him pictures from past vacations or pictures of him, our friends and I. Then under the picture i included an inpirational or motivational quote. So my format has been 1/2 page writing 1/2 page picture and a quote at the end. Before i write him anymore letters i just want to confirm that the pictures are allowed, i don't want him to be catching anymore crap than he needs to be.</p>
<p>That's a great idea. They are allowed to keep their letters (and read them as many times as they want). He will not receive any "attention" for them. The motivational quotes are a nice touch. Keep writing.</p>
<p>I thought it would be a nice touch as opposed to just a block of writing. The cadets must be so used to form everything and i'd like to keep my letters to him more personable and different everytime. I'm actually getting ready to go drop another one in the mail box right now. I as so surprised i went over to my P.O. Box (I'm at PSU for the summer, him and i left the same day as a matter of fact.) and i had a letter from him waiting for me. Though it wasn't a "hey hows it going" letter and more of a modification to his address...i guess he's been doing pushups since we included his first name on the envelopes instead of just his last name :-(. Anyway, thanks for the confirmation wpmom...it's hard to think about not seeing my cousin and best friend for another 6 months.</p>
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i guess he's been doing pushups since we included his first name on the envelopes instead of just his last name
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don't worry about this. It is just an excuse - they would just find some other reason to do pushups and think of what great shape he will be in by the time he takes the APFT again in August! Think of it as "doing him a favor"! ;)</p>
<p>I always printed photos on the letters I sent while my cadet was at Beast. Mostly they were pictures of her dog, which she misses lots (perhaps more than she misses Mom). I also put photos of good times she had with friends, as well as photos of what her friends were up to when I could get such photos. A favorite of hers were pictures of her favorite triplets as they grew and changed; a picture of the triplets (age 3) is the picture she keeps in her hat. (They're 4 now; she needs a new picture!)</p>
<p>And yes, she saved all her letters. They are now at home in a box. Many cadets do save them and enjoy looking back over them later.</p>
<p>"Think of it as "doing him a favor"! " - Yes, but that favor is often bestowed upon the entire squad... so I can understand the plea to modify the address format :)</p>
<p>Yes this is true, Ann. USMA gave us the official address which did include first name and last name, so Matt wasn't doing anything "wrong", technically. Undoubtedly there are some nc's who are being dropped for the first name but it just goes to show you - there are some things one just cannot control.</p>
<p>I just thought of something - you don't think the official address included both first and last just do the cadre would have a reason to drop a NC? Nah - that would be too devious.</p>
<p>What would be devious would be half the platoon 'dropped' for being so presumptuous as to think they still had a first name followed shortly thereafter by dropping the other half for not following official guidelines by listing both first and last name.</p>
<p>JustAMomOf4: This is one case where the official guidelines should not be followed....It is well publicized on prospective.net and by parent groups before R-day that new cadets will be dropped if their first name is included on mail. This is nothing new. No real harm done I agree -the cadre will find a reason to drop cadets (and they will drop too - all with the aim of getting the new cadets to improve on the APFT). But being the focus of attention at every mail call is not what most new cadets are looking for, so I understand the plea....</p>
<p>I think this has been especially confusing this year as at the parent briefing the afternoon of R-Day, during the Q & A time at the end of the briefing, a parent specifically asked about which address format was correct. The Commandant (?) simply said that it did not matter, they would make sure the new cadets got their mail. </p>
<p>Still not sure how to take that, but I've left first name off what I have personally sent. My own NC has not mentioned it, so if the whole platoon is being "corrected" for it, I may never know.</p>
<p>Since there is confusion: anyone writing to new cadets should send their letter in a plain white envelope and use a flag postage stamp. Do not use the new cadet's first name until after A day. Do not embellish the envelope with anything except perhaps "Beat Navy!" :)</p>
<p>Have you ever considered that much ado is being made of nothing. Perhaps this is one of those instances things should fall where they may and the Corps should be allowed to play their games and have their fun. If parents wish to follow official policy or, of all things, do as the Commandant states, they should. Lighten up.</p>
<p>I did send a couple of cards that may require pushups: one from the beach w/ a little sand (hopefully opened outside) and a musical one with a worship song from our church. He likes pushups anyway!</p>
<p>The very definition of "leader" defies flying under the radar, doesn't it? Why then are they attending our nations premier leadership academy if their goal is to go undetected? I seriously doubt a singing card (or pink envelopes) would bring too much negative attention. I'll not push it with pink envelopes, and I'll hope the singing card was opened in barracks! I do hope, however, the sandy card was opened outside!</p>
<p>I'll stick with the pain white envelopes for right now. the NC is loving life at WP and I don't want to do anything to burst the bubble. Mom3boys, were you at the swim picnic the Sun. befor R day?</p>