Gifts for a young man going into the Marines

[steveo]

A funny boy eh?

[BamaAndy]

You both are bad!!! hehe Motivation platoon volunteers?

[Riley]

Always missed grandma's cooking, and she was a whiz at making preserves, too. I always used to write home and beg for cookies and cakes, and above all else, her strawberry jam and apple jelly. Perhaps if you have that sort of talent, or know someone who does, you could make a commitment to supply the lad with this sort of thing on a semi-regular basis?

He would never get a single taste of it in the Marine Corps. It would be immediately confiscated and disposed of, and large amounts of punishment dispensed to the intended recipient of the package in the form of a long and memorable pit call.

[OldBullrider]

Of all the posts for what this young man will need are pretty much on target. The Corp has the opinion that if you really need this or that it will be issued to you. You do not need your mommy or your daddy, the Corp will issue you the necessary items to replace the urge to want to go home and cry on mommy's shoulder. The Corp wants these young men to focus on one thing and one thing only and that is to be the best Marine that has ever come out of boot camp. This is what will save his life and the lives of his fellow Marines. So the best thing you can give this boy, soon to be a Marine, is your prayers that he be the best Marine in his class.

[skeeter]

Get 'em an Aimpoint COMPM3 red dot sight.

[AppyPappy]

Cut out a picture of a hot girl in a bikini and mail it to him while he is in boot camp. Make sure you put on the letter "URGENT, PRIVATE LETTER, MUST RECEIVE". DI's love that.

[Abathar]

I know that, its just a time honored tradition in our family to pull that prank at least once to every one of us that goes in, makes for a great memory a few years down the line.

[MJemison]

My niece the Marine could have used some tissues. For the moment when she finished the Crucible and stepped back onto the parade ground, to see her country's flag. The proudest moment of her life. But then again, perhaps she wouldn't have wanted to wipe away those tears.

[Abathar]

yeah, I read what he posted in forum, either that or he is just trying to see how far he can go til he gets zapped.

[Toby06]

Dope!

[Toby06]

During Basic, a couple letters a week, but after basic, a good Gerber tool or a Leatherman (BRAND NAME ONLY! The others are all JUNK!) tool would probably be appreciated. Plan to shell out at least $50.

[Sunshine Sister]

Can you let me in on the secret? Why would you catch the dickens for a big letter?

[dynachrome]

"Dope!"

What peteparsley be smoking I think.

[Highleyman]

Thick socks and Mole skin for the blisters. Instinct to succeed isn't a gift, but the advice to never quit is. Practice swimming (Floaties for gag gift) and shoe polish and brush to starting practicing that.

[mfnorman]

If boot camp is still ran the same as it was when I went in in 1979 they take every personal item from you when you first walk into the gate. The best thing I can suggest and always made me happy when I got it was MAIL. Write as often as possible so that he always hears his name called during mail call.

[An Old Marine]

What the other "Old Salts" have to say is true. DOn't send him off with anything except you wishes and love.

Everything that a man needs the Corps provides, or a kid already carries it inside himself

There's plenty of time later to send him goodies in 12 weeks.

God Bless and Semper Fi!

[A.A. Cunningham]

Dress Blue jacket.

It's a blouse not a jacket. Ask for a jacket at cash sales and you'll get nothing but funny looks.

[Riley]

Okay, here's what he *will* need.

Send letters. Make them very plain and no-nonsense in appearance. Anything that stands out *will* attract unwanted attention from the Drill Instructors. They should consist of no more than one sheet of paper, so that he isn't compelled to open them in front of the Drill Instructor and the platoon. No little gifts tucked inside, no pictures, no scented envelopes from any girlfriend he may have, no newspaper clippings, nothing that stands out whatsoever.

Mail should be very plain in outward appearance, but should also be very frequent. Mail call is the sometimes the ONLY high point of the day. Getting a letter is a big deal, and is very good for morale. It really doesn't matter if there are no big events to write about. Ordinary day-to-day dinner-table chat is fine. I got lots of letters in boot that would be terribly boring if I got them now, but were a lifeline then. 'Your cousin stubbed his toe. The neighbor came by to say hi, and asked if I had heard from you. I got a ticket today at Third and Elm'.
It just matters that you get communications from somebody. It doesn't have to be Pulitzer Prize material. They should be encouraging in tone.

Frequent, plain letters that are not thick and do not attract attention are like manna from Heaven.

[fredhead]

I don't know about Marine boot camp, but when I went into the Navy there was one thing we were allowed to keep, and it helped me immensely. A Bible. Other than official training manuals and letters received, it was the only thing we were allowed to read. I read some every night during the short amount of time before taps.

[T Minus Four]

he is just trying to see how far he can go til he gets zapped.

I guess he found out.