As we head into the Memorial Day weekend we have information about when your loved one’s basic training mailroom will be closed for the holiday, so that you can make sure to get your letters to your recruit before the long weekend. The dates below are subject to change depending on the needs of the Command. Additionally, our print room will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024 in observance of Memorial Day.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Customer Happiness team. 

This weekend, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect and honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Here are some Ways to Honor The Fallen This Weekend

Sandboxx Memorial Day Printing Schedule

Wednesday 5/22
Ensure Delivery for all Army Bases before Memorial Day – Final Print at 5pm ET

Wednesday 5/22
Ensure Delivery for Parris Island(USMC) before Memorial Day – Final Print at 5pm ET

Thursday 5/23
Ensure Delivery for San Diego (USMC) & Quantico (USMC) before Memorial Day – Final Print at 5pm ET

Thursday 5/23
Ensure Delivery for all Navy Bases before Memorial Day – Final Print at 5pm ET

Thursday 5/23
Ensure Delivery for all Coast Guard Bases before Memorial Day – Final Print at 5pm ET

Thursday 5/23
Ensure Delivery for all Air Force Bases before Memorial Day – Final Print at 5pm ET

Army Basic Training

All mail submitted after 5pm ET on Wednesday, May 22nd will be delivered on Tuesday, May 28th for Fort Moore, Fort Jackson, Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Sill.

Marine Corps Basic Training

All mail submitted after 5pm ET on Thursday, May 23rd will be delivered on Tuesday, May 28th for Quantico and Wednesday, May 29th for San Diego.

Navy Basic Training

All mail submitted after 5pm ET on Thursday, May 23rd will be delivered on Tuesday, May 28th for Great Lakes.

Air Force and Space Force Basic Training

All mail submitted after 5pm ET on Thursday, May 23rd will be delivered on Tuesday, May 28th for Lackland.

Coast Guard Basic Training

All mail submitted after 5pm ET on Thursday, May 23rd will be delivered on Tuesday, May 28th for Cape May.

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The knowledge, skills and attributes possessed by your Soldier will be in high demand after their time in the Army. With a keen understanding of this, the Army created a unique pathway program, the Army PaYS Program, to help companies identify and bridge their hiring gaps with transitioning Soldiers from the U.S. Army.  

The Army’s Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) Program is a strategic partnership between the U.S. Army and a cross section of corporations and public sector agencies designed to support employment opportunities for transitioning Soldiers. The program guarantees five job interviews for transitioning soldiers. 

Established in 2000, PaYS has partnered with over 1,200 organizations nationwide. These partners include 91 Fortune 500 companies and over 150 city, county and state governments. Many of the Army’s PaYS partners are household names like Tesla, Amazon, Delta Airlines, Ford Motor Company, and many more. Since its inception, the PaYS Program has provided over 3.9 million Veteran job opportunities to Army Soldiers.  

How Does the Army PaYS Program Work?

Traditionally, the PaYS Program was an option new Soldiers could select at the time of their enlistment or commission. Today, every Soldier who serves in the Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve is eligible to participate in the program. It is open to all Soldiers that want to participate. This also means the program is available retroactively for any Soldier who did not receive the option at the time of their enlistment or commission. The only requirement is to register on the PaYS website and you must receive an honorable discharge to remain eligible.  

In 2023, Army PaYS Program partners hired over 67,000 Veterans. The program continues to highlight the benefits of acquiring the highly talented and qualified Veteran population. If your Soldier hasn’t registered for the PaYS Program, make sure you remind them of this amazing benefit. 

To register or view the partner companies visit the Army PaYS website.

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Staying connected during boot camp is a lifeline for recruits. Letters are a powerful source of motivation and a reminder of the support system waiting for them at graduation. Sandboxx understands this! We make sending physical letters to recruits simple and – completely free for recruiters through our app. With a few taps on your phone, you can include a motivational photo and message, all transformed into a professionally printed letter delivered straight to your recruit’s mail call.  Never before has sending words of encouragement to boot camp been so quick and hassle-free!

How Can I Write Letters for Free?

1. Download Sandboxx and create an account.
2. Select How do you want to use Sandboxx? Manage recruits
3. Select which best describes you (National Guard, Reserve, or Active Duty)
4. Select your branch of service 
5. Input your email: You must use your  .mil email to be eligible for free letters
6. Tap Profile and add your rank 
7. Once your profile is complete, you can request letters. To do so, click the text icon in the bottom right corner of your screen. This will take you to our Customer Happiness portal where you can message our team to request free letters be added to your account. 

We recommend you connect your account with your recruits prior to their ship date to make writing even easier. However, if you’re unable to do this, you can add your recruit’s address to the app once you have it. 

How Do Sandboxx Letters Work?

At Sandboxx, we employ a consistent “5-Check” process for each Letter that we send to ensure that the words you type and the pictures you take get delivered to base worry-free.

Here’s what you should expect the next time you use Sandboxx to send a Letter to your recruit.

STEP 1: Drafting Your Letter

The Sandboxx app makes it as easy and convenient as possible to send a Letter from the palm of your hand, wherever you may be.

1. Download and open the Sandboxx App
2. Once logged in, tap “Write Letter”, and begin writing your message.
3. After you’ve written your letter and added an optional photo, just tap Send. 
4. Once you send your letter, it will be processed at our printing facility the same day (if submitted before 4:30 pm ET, Monday-Friday).
5. If you’re sending a letter to one of the bases that offer overnight shipping, you’ll be able to track the status of your letter in our mobile app as soon as you tap “Send”.

STEP 2: Receiving

As soon as you send your letter via the Sandboxx app, we verify the recipient’s address. If any errors are found, we will notify you of these so corrections can be made. 

STEPS 3: Processing 

After each letter is printed, we then use a machine that applies over 3,000 pounds of force to fold and seal it. Then, we sort it by Marines and Army Company, Air Force Flight, or Navy Ship.

This marks our third check of the day and allows us to ensure that each base is able to quickly distribute the Letters upon delivery.

STEP 4: Shipping

After we complete our last letter print of the day at 4:30 PM Eastern time, we check over the Letters to ensure each Letter is set to be shipped to the correct destination.

STEP 5: Delivery

Each box of 1,000 letters is double-sealed and then dropped off at FedEx, our trusted shipping partner ensuring these important packages arrive at each base the following day.

Please note that a letter with the delivery status of “Delivered” does not mean that your letter has reached your recruit’s hands, but rather that your letter has reached the mailroom on base and is waiting to be distributed to your recruit.

The post Sandboxx for Recruiters: Send Letters for Free appeared first on Sandboxx.

Preparing for Marine Corps Basic Training Graduation at MCRD San Diego can be very exciting! To make sure you have the most up-to-date information possible, we’ve got all you need to know about Family Day and MCRD San Diego graduation.

MCRD San Diego Family Day

Family Day starts early the day prior to graduation with an optional breakfast from 6:00-8:00am followed by the famous Motivational Run (no, you don’t have to run!) at 8:30am.  

During Family Day, you will get the opportunity to learn more about what your Marine experienced during the 12 weeks of boot camp through tours and Command briefs. During the day your Marine will escort you around the base showing you where they trained (ok, did pushups and got yelled at).

You’ll get some quality time with your new Marine during their liberty. We recommend taking your Marine to the MCRD San Diego Museum so you can walk the exhibits and learn about the unique history and customs of the Marine Corps.

Sandboxx Tip: To avoid accidental knife-handing by your Marine, stay on their left side so they are free to salute with their right hand when passing higher-ranking Marines on base.

MCRD San Diego Family Day Schedule of Events

Sandboxx Tip: Try to get to the gate no later than 8am to help ensure that you get a good spot for the Motivational Run (the first time you’ll see your new Marine). 

Before Family day families have the opportunity to attend the Family Meet & Greet dinner held the evening prior, starting at 6pm. The dinner is held on base at The Bayview Restaurant and allows you to meet the recruit’s drill instructors as well as other family members.

You must register for this event, and and it usually sells out quickly. All family and friends are allowed to attend. Sorry, your recruit will not be present at this dinner.

MCRD San Diego Graduation Schedule

So what time does Marine boot camp graduation start? The graduation ceremony won’t begin until 10 am, but there are a few events leading up to the ceremony that we highly recommend you take part in. You can learn more about specific graduation events here.

MCRD San Diego Graduation Schedule of Events

Graduation day is filled with a lot of emotions and will be a day you and your new Marine will remember forever. Families from all over the country will have traveled to attend graduation, so expect a big crowd, and don’t forget to arrive at official events on the early side.

Sandboxx Tip: Seating is divided by Platoon in bleachers, arrive early if you want to secure good seats. 

MCRD San Diego Graduation Dress Code

Are you wondering what to wear to a Marine boot camp graduation? Clothing can be casual for each day and there is no dress code. A majority of families will wear custom t-shirts on graduation day that display their Marine’s name and platoon number. We recommend that you have a sweater or jacket for outside in case the weather takes a turn for the worse.

The feeling you get when you see your New Marine for the first time will be more than you could ever imagine. It is truly a special day and time to enjoy and celebrate with your Marine and family. 

Happy travels, and congrats to you and your soon-to-be new Marine!

The post Marine Corps San Diego Graduation appeared first on Sandboxx.

Here’s everything you need to know about writing Letters to Air Force basic training. Do you know someone who just began their journey at Air Force basic training, or is already there? Sending Letters during basic training is one of the easiest ways to help boost the morale of your trainee.

Air Force Basic Training Mailing Address

Writing Letters to Air Force Basic Training?

During Air Force Basic Training trainees are pushed mentally and physically to see if they have what it takes to be a part of the United States Air Force. There is nothing easy about what they are going to be doing during their time at Lackland Air Force Base.

Mental and physical exhaustion will become a norm as the loved one you said goodbye to is transformed into a completely new person.

To help you become a basic training Letter expert we’ve put together a list of some questions for you to ask when writing Letters to Air Force basic training.

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1. What were your first thoughts when you got off of the bus?
2. What time do your mornings start?
3. How delicious is the chow?
4. What has been the worst thing about basic training?
5. If you could describe basic training in one word what would it be?
6. How many trainees are in your flight?
7. What’s the name of one friend you’ve made, where are they from?
8. What are you most anxious about for Beast Week?
9. What is one thing your flight gets yelled at for the most?
10. What time do you normally get to sleep?
11. Have you been given a nickname?
12. Is there anyone in your flight not receiving mail that I can write to?
13. Has it been hard to make your bunk perfectly?
14. What have you liked best about basic training?
15. Did you win your pugil stick battle?
16. What has been the funniest thing your TI has said this week?
17. What’s the best advice you have received at basic training?
18. What is the dumbest thing you have seen or heard another trainee do?
19. Has basic training been what you expected it to be?
20. What is your wish list of bases you would like to be stationed at?
21. What’s the first thing you want to do after graduation?
22. What homemade/fast food meal do you miss the most?
23. Are you proud of yourself? (You should be!)

It’s hard to know what to write to your trainee when you don’t always get Letters back from them. The most important thing to keep in mind is that Letters don’t have to be long and they don’t have to be complicated. Just sending your trainee a message to let them know you are thinking of them and believe in them will be more than enough.

Sending Letters via the Sandboxx app will get your message and photos into your trainee’s hands within a couple of days (we overnight your Letters directly to Lackland Air Force base). Each Letter also includes a return envelope so your loved one can write you back!

Ready to send your first Letter to Air Force basic training?

1. Download the Sandboxx app.
2. Create your account
3. Send your first Sandboxx Letter .
4. Receive weekly in-app updates on Air Force basic training and more!

Learn more about how your Sandboxx Letter gets delivered.

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