My Oldest (of my 3) Marines wrote to me one day about a recruit in his Platoon in Bootcamp. One day this young recruit was with the rest of the recruits in his Platoon for Mail Call. He was handed a BOX! (All of the recruits knew this could possibly mean trouble for him. So they leaned in to observe intently – anxious for him.) The return address was from the boy's grandmother. With the entire platoon watching and the DI standing there with a scowl and arms folded, he slowly peeled back the tape, opened the flaps, and lifted the bubble wrap aside. Inside were 2 dozen peanut butter cookies! It was now time for the Platoon to PT. The Drill instructor sent the Squad leader with another DI away quietly. They returned quickly with a GALLON of milk. The recruit was instructed to sit down and eat and drink until EVERY cookie and ALL of the milk was gone. Meanwhile PT commenced for the Platoon. The recruit ate and drank & ate and drank more… Bless his heart, he finished the task. THEN he was ordered to complete every exercise and rep that the Platoon had completed while he was eating his Grandmother's present. (That's when the wonderful cookies decided to make a 2nd appearance & Grandma's package gifted him twice!)
LESSON: NOTIFY ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT YOU GIVE YOUR RECRUIT'S ADDRESS, TO WHAT THE GUIDELINES ARE FOR WHAT HE/SHE IS ALLOWED TO RECEIVE!