Looking for encouraging words to share

[lindyanne]

My nephew is in boot camp and is having a little bit of a rough go of it. It’s the first time he has been away from home and they just completed their two week quarantine which I think made the transition even more difficult. He’s enjoying getting mail so I have been sending cards but I would love some military specific words of wisdom to share if such a thing exists. Thanks!

[NomadicMama]

Hi!! This board is **really** quiet. Hopefully others will see this!

I have not gone through basic training and my husband was well past it when I met him, so I don’t if I’m the best person to try to help…but honestly, the fact that you are taking the time to write is huge. Remind him of how proud you are of him. Share funny stories from home or your day. It’s a momentary break for him.

Your nephew is fortunate to have your support!!

[dcn]

My H didn’t go through boot camp, but I know when he was deployed just knowing that people were thinking about him helped him so much. Taking the time to write to him will mean so much! Also, no one in our families really have any military experience so just being interested in his job and life means a lot. Best of luck to him!

[Deleted]

I haven’t been to basic training, but from what I hear the best way to life his spirits is to send mail — cards, letters, maybe print out a funny meme or cartoon. You can send money (I’d do like a visa gift card) in case they’re given some liberty or time at the shopette, but I wouldn’t send treats — they likely aren’t allowed to have junk food and don’t have much space to store unauthorized items.

[Aquatica]

When my husband went to basic, it was during his birthday and our anniversary. I sent him cards and a care package of items he asked for when he was finally able to make a call. In a letter from the base and via him on the phone, I was asked not to send any food related items at all. I sent him lotion, boot powder, vaseline, chapstick, non-aerosol sensitive skin shaving cream, and printed off some family pictures.

On Facebook you may be able to find the place he's at basic that may upload a link to his graduating class year/training time that could have pictures of him during his training. I downloaded the pictures for our memories which had H before and after the gas room, doing an obstacle course, medical training over a dummy, and repelling down a building.

[jennistarr1]

Super random but through other situations I have found quotes or gifs or pics of inspiring moments from movies and sent those

[chilerellanos]

When I was in, I loved all the mail. It was mostly my mom, and she wrote about everything. Lol

I did get letters from other people and it meant so much. It was in 1997, and I still remember specific things people wrote about. That’s how much those letters meant to me.