We sent my cousin shaving cream while he was in OUST. When he deployed to Afghanistan in 04, we sent him a big box of shaving cream, razors, sole inserts, icy hot, toothpaste, etc, then the snacks and case of monsters. We also sent his platoon three boxes, full of the same things cause he said a lot of guys weren't getting anything or some families couldn't afford to buy stuff to send. We got 6 or 7 pictures a few weeks later and every soldier was ear to ear. Glad we were able to make their day better

@la4727

5 жыл бұрын

I dont have anyone in training at the moment but is there any way to send stuff to any random group who might be in need?

@jeffreyhelgesen7960

5 жыл бұрын

I kive the positive energy you put into the videos. Great job! It would be great if families with money, can help out the soliders who don't, or families with limited income. Share the love!

@saradecapua3264

4 жыл бұрын

That's wonderful. I sent packages to soldiers and replies I got were heart-warming.

@butterflykisses4u

Жыл бұрын

that's fking awesome!

subtitle: "how many push-ups do you want your son or daughter to do?" or "what snacks do you want to send drill sergeants?".

@Marcus001

6 жыл бұрын

That should be the main title. Deserves more likes.

@bobbob6152

6 жыл бұрын

FrankieTheWop 😂😂

@Msjenise

4 жыл бұрын

FrankieTheWop do they do pushups every time you send them letters?

@kaylag5043

4 жыл бұрын

Imagine sending a packet of candy with a letter to the ds 🤣

We had a private who’s mom sent a bunch of good quality toilet paper for the entire platoon. That was a god send.

@MattWard89

6 жыл бұрын

Hahaha that’s awesome

@anaveragejoe8993

5 жыл бұрын

Are we allowed books in BCT?

@LittleMissMadeline

5 жыл бұрын

An Average Joe He said in the video “no”

@anaveragejoe8993

5 жыл бұрын

CheetahGamer thanks for the info

@jansa940

5 жыл бұрын

that is a great idea.

Knowing my mom, who's a 101st Airborne division vet, she will definitely send me things that will get me smoked "All in good fun"

@Kevinfromhtown

3 жыл бұрын

Your mom is bad ass I hope to get into the 101st! I leave feb 2nd for Benning 19d

A good friend of mine went into the marines he was the youngest of the family and his older brothers were marines. When he was in BCT his older brothers sent him a pair of toy lightsabers and called his DS. His DS made him lightsaber battle the others in between Being smoked he said. He said it was true Hell. But he also said it was funny.

@LordRagu

6 жыл бұрын

King Corder Ouch, that’s beyond evil of them lol

Those darn cliff bars. Ive had SO many of those

@MattWard89

6 жыл бұрын

I've always got some near me lol

@shanescatsandcannabisfarm2965

3 жыл бұрын

@@MattWard89 the chocolate brownie ones are my favorite

One dude’s wife in our platoon sent him: Gatorades, snacks, energy bars, instant ramen, and movies. You guess it, we were smoked. Women...sigh

@jonathanruiz8365

6 жыл бұрын

Ethan Clarke instant ramen?! Movies?! 💀

@NgJackal1990

6 жыл бұрын

I kid you not. She sent a whole care package.

@Griv3836

6 жыл бұрын

Lol 😂

@Lyttits

6 жыл бұрын

But that’s so cute lol !! I mean not beneficial for you guys but it was a sweet gesture!!

@NgJackal1990

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah I hope he got them back.

I hope you know Matt you haven’t just inspired Americans to enlist but also some British ive spoken too at the AFCO mentioned your name! Keep it up and thank you mate.

My company DS’s told us to have our families send protein bars and they would issue them later in the cycle. I am now home and my protein bars are still sitting at Ft. Benning, GA. About $150 worth.

@davidaviles5905

Жыл бұрын

😂😂

My grandfather sent me memes when I was in BCT. Everyone even the drill sergeants would gather around to see them 😂😂😂

The closest thing to candy is flavored cough drops

An Air Force card, a blowup doll, a shit ton of Hershey Bars, Gatorade, a picture of Mia Khalifa, hand-lotion, canned sausages and 20 cans of Pepsi. 😬😬😬

@alvinyakitori8720

5 жыл бұрын

Ironmike 2022 good luck with that

@poiuytrewq11422

4 жыл бұрын

Drill Sergeants would love that.

@jackwatson6784

4 жыл бұрын

How smoked did you get

@Tetra392

4 жыл бұрын

@@jackwatson6784 it's said that they are still being smoked to this day lmao

@graysonearly5210

3 жыл бұрын

Someone's getting frisky in the Barack's

a friend who was in the Marines many years ago mentioned that when he was in Boot Camp, one of the other recruits, got a care package from his family that included home baked cookies....the DI made him eat the entire batch in a couple minutes to send a message. The poor guy wound up getting really sick.

Just realized I leave in a few months, crazy as hell. Thanks for these tips, keep em coming!

Hey Matt I just found your page. I really appreciate how detailed and straight forward you are. My boyfriend left a couple weeks ago to basic training so this was very helpful thanks!

When my brother was at basics, my mom sent him some shampoo, conditioner, and deordarnt, and the drill sergeants took them away and he got them back when he went to AIT, but the reason they took them was because they were scented and they can't use scented stuff at basics. Also when he was in AIT, mom was able to then send him food.

@websters8665

4 жыл бұрын

You cant use scented deodorant at basic?? Theres non scented deodorant?!

Thinking of joining the army. Your videos have helped answer a lot of questions I have. Appreciate it!

Thank you so much! A friend of mine is leaving for basic late July and this video helped alot

Really love Your videos I have been watching non stop for the past week, MEPS next week looking to get 65B or 65C as MOS. Really Nervous and also Excited. Also I spoke with someone who said Cough drops were like gold since its the closest thing youll get to candy.

My brother who is at Benning right now can get granola bars but there are a lot of rules that go with it, they have to be a certain brand, certain number, certain sized box, etc. He shares them with his battle buddies :)

Yeah bro! This video is great!! I will be leaving soon to Basic Training and I referred your videos to my family and friends 🤣 just in case they ever get curious. You should definitely make more videos like this. Even maybe make section on your playlist. Thanks again brotha, you are killing it with these videos. Great job. 🤙

Hey I know this video is almost a year old, but thanks so much! My best friend recently shipped to Navy basic training I can't wait to write to him!

Thanks for the tips and nice video

Love your videos and your passion to inspire! Keep it up👍

@MattWard89

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!!

I wish I could have seen this video back in October/ November when my boyfriend was doing basic training

Hey the first sar finally started my chapter 11 papers . Thanks so much guys

Charlie company at Ft Benning, finished first on O course, was allowed protein bars, 14g protein minimum for entire platoon.

TYSM for doing this video topic!

@MattWard89

6 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome:)

So most company's at bct have Facebook pages you can like and have lists of stuff you can and cannot send 😁👍 also commanders letter has a list too . Don't send letters or cards in anything other than white envelopes. Depending on their ds depends on what they have to do for letters...my husband's plt has to do 10 pushups per letter . I send pens , paper , stamps , cough drops ( certain kind ) , hot hands ( left to basic in a colder state during winter they had ice storms) , shoe insoles that don't need to be cut, moleskin, gold bond , unscented shampoo, pictures ECT. The px ran out of pens I guess ...so I was happy i sent tons so he could share. On the food note ..as of Feb 20th in white phase almost to blue ...his letter said ds just told them if someone sends food he will let them eat it as long as there is enough to share..someone's mom sent cookies and that's how it got brought up . Him and his buddies requested candy bars certain number and I added the 2 ds to the amount . Enough for whole plt plus ds's.

@jackwatson6784

4 жыл бұрын

Your awesome

Lots of information! Would you be able to make a video regarding how we talk to the Drill Sergeants? Like how we address them, how we ask them questions, and just general stuff like that?

@MattWard89

6 жыл бұрын

There is just one way to do it. Begin and end every statement that you say to them with Drill Sergeant. Stand at parade rest when talking to them. Don’t stand too close to them when asking questions lol

@southbayla3137

6 жыл бұрын

josh baxter if you don’t know ur up for a surprise

@devildog0489

6 жыл бұрын

josh baxter he made one a while back.

@doom4067

5 жыл бұрын

@@MattWard89 you forgot about not looking at them.

@jansa940

5 жыл бұрын

@@MattWard89 My first night at the Recruiting Center, of course I was nervous like everyone else. This was many years ago and I didn't have a clue about rank or military bearing, etc. One of the instructors walked into our room, I yelled out "At Ease", because I saw others doing it. Turns out it was an Officer, he got up in my face and said...do you mean "At Ease", or "Attention". Through deduction I realized I needed to yell Attention. I sure wish there was a KZread before I went in the military, it would have made it a lot less stressful.

When I went through basic there was one guy whose wife sent him cookies every week. I'm not sure why they never figured out that he couldn't have them. 16 years ago we were allowed to have watches. They threatened us with death if we timed ourselves on the PT test, but we were allowed to have watches.

My brother was in the marines and he was able to get cliff bars, I think it was cliff bars, for his whole platoon because his ds said he could jokingly but he still did it

My packages included Non mediated lip balm, non medicated icy hot, hall's sugar free menthol, mole skin, black pens, Christian reading material, paper, envelopes, packets of hand and feet temporary warmers, unscented laundry soap, unscented toiletries, greetings cards, baby wipes (my son used to clean his weapon components instead of his his body while in the field😑) and I think that's about it. He's finished AIT this month and is at Ft. Bliss. You're the reason I got through this gracefully. Also, future soldier's, many times there is a Facebook page for your battalion and platoon, membership only, which also was a great help for parent's, wives, husbands, siblings,etc, so let mom and dad know they can follow your progress. Do well, future soldier's. Lots of love to you, Matt. You are a blessing.

@alltimeadventures8556

6 жыл бұрын

kissmiss629 can you send boxes? Like I’m leaving and I’m wondering if we can ONLY send letters. Can small boxes be a thing too? I’m leaving to ft. Sill

@tylerbyrne807

5 жыл бұрын

Weapon more important then hygiene in the field tbh lol

@brendachavez303

4 жыл бұрын

My son is in Oklahoma boot camp, how can I find a Facebook page to follow?

Helps a lot I leave in 4 days as a 11x

My dad joined the marines when I was really little. When he got to boot camp my grandma sent him a bunch of candy. He got in trouble and had to eat all of it in front of his drill SGTS and he got sick from it

Showing this to my friends and family lol

I enjoy your videos. Thanks. Does your Army unit have a problem with your videos?

So far, I've had to send more brown thunders. He asked for more black PT shirts, can NOT find one, well found one on Soffe but they won't ship to a military base (WTF!) Cough drops, his gun cleaning kit was stolen, had to replace that, baby wipes, bandaids, Vaseline, unscented soap and a soap dish. That's what he has asked for. Parents- you had better have about $300 set aside for what they need and to replace what gets stolen.

Thanks!

I recently sent cough drops to my son at Fortleonard W. He didn’t get in trouble !!

I just remembered what I was allowed in BCT when my fam send me packages and basically i gave my gf, same stuff as I did lol. It was sugar free cough drops, wipes for fields or when they need "quick shower," foot powder, mole skin, stamps(you can only get stamps in ATM at BCT), toilet papers(BCT ones are thin af lol), and basically i told her to tell me any other stuff she needs in the future.

My son told me to send throat lozenges. I guess all the yelling was making his throat hurt.

Wake up in the morning have a coffee and a cliff bar

@MattWard89

6 жыл бұрын

Lol I eat them like every day

@Griv3836

6 жыл бұрын

Matt Ward that's the way to go my dude

Its easy, what does the DS allow. Brock said 75 push ups was worth it... And it helps the PT scores... bonus!!

Getting shipped to fort Jackson on March 6th. I️ am pretty excited. Nice videos man

Older video, but a recommendation on moleskin from an experienced backpacker. DO NOT use moleskin to prevent a blister. It’ll trap heat and sweat and actually cause a blister. If a blister forms, cut a hole on the moleskin and apply it around the blister to take pressure and heat away from it.

In 1988 we could get care packages after 6 weeks with candy or cookies as long as you passed the PT test

i truly love your platform choices as to strategize while you expedite your service work-the build of presense, position and enterprise..and to point into that direction some..i'm trying to get an offer of an assignment obtaining compensation from me-bcs i'm a researcher-by sending soldier a letter enlisted at ft rucker. he' s been in since january of this year-'about to wrap up his 1st phase, and he doesn't already know me. it is kind of hard to know which of 3 ppl-that have the same name-how to get the letter to him, bcs a cohort answering my phone call stated that there are 3 ppl with the same name on the base. the insight i have to make a distinction in which to address letter..is a middle initial-which is more the spot on still i wouldn't know how to label the letter..do i just have to: hail mary the send of the letter hoping that he gets it, or is there better i can do about it? thank you for the input. ( as an aside, in the interim-i'll head to your store:)

Make sure to put spare change in letters! They are almost guaranteed to get the letters quicker from the Drills!

Our drill sergeants (Ft. McClellan, Alabama, B-787 OSUT, spring of 1988) let us receive cookies and brownies. There had to be enough to share with the entire platoon, but could not to exceed two per person. We, of course, got smoked before we were allowed to eat them though.

No prescriptions medicines are allowed at basic training. If someone relies on a drug to get them through their day then the military doesn’t want that person in their ranks. I only know this because I had to get off my medicine in order to join the army.

I was at Basic like you said 20 years ago. We were not allowed to wear watches. We were finally allowed to wear a watch during the AIT portion of OSUT. I wonder what changed in those 20 years.

@christopherneyfeldt4587

Жыл бұрын

I was in almost 40 years ago and could have watches.

I had a roommate, they were in the Navy, had their family send them like a sh*t ton of fun size hershey bars for their birthday and their drill sergeants made them, and the entire platoon, eat it (while doing pushups) until they puked and then they'd pass the huge bag along to the next person and kept going until there was no more candy (also yes I realize Im 4 years late on this vid but I recently enlisted and have been watching alot of vids on boot camp and militaty life in general)

When my husband went to AIT I sent him a giant bag of Reese’s candy for Valentine’s Day along with a mug I bought him. I didn’t know it wasn’t allowed in the barracks and so he tried to eat as much of it at once as possible and share it or it had to be thrown out. 😂😂 My bad 😭😭

@pandachan3045

4 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂 At least he got it lmao.

Im 17 I enlisted a few days ago and I'm going to basic in June thanks for the info. P.s my MOS is 92M

@sparda11

5 жыл бұрын

ROACH 6359 hey man that’s great how did it go?

Quick question if anyone could answer, what if you wear retainers from the braces? Do you need to ask the drill sgt or can you keep them with you at all times?

Also happend to me I went to basic aug 28th and someone got a hugh thing of snacks and the drill sgt went around and gave it to different people and let the person who recieved the package watch his platoon eat what he got he couldnt eat any

@Msjenise

4 жыл бұрын

TheYoungInvestor did you have to do pushups each time you got a letter?

@butterflykisses4u

Жыл бұрын

ah man that's just cold 😂

Do you have a video of reserves vs on duty? Want to know which offers best fits me

My DS said at the end of the cycle Ft Benning is now accepting protein bars to be sent on mail.

Before I went to basic training I broke in several pairs of running shoes and every three week my parents sent me one of those pair. Drill SGT asked me why I was getting old shoes in the mail and I said I didn’t want to run in either brand new news or completely worn out shoes

Back in 1984 my mom sent me a big tin of cookies while at basic. SSGT Donaldson scowled at me but I said can I just pass them out to the platoon INCLUDING him. Everyone got their fill of homemade chocolate chip cookies. So it happens. Actually our best friend was Ben-Gay during the first couple of weeks.

How did you make the song? It's really cool.

For me at fort Jackson only mail, picture, certain hygiene items

was at MCRD in 2017, recruits can not bring a watch.

When I went thru in February 2015 I was allowed to have cough drops. I had so much felt like Willie wanka

@cheeseball4791

6 жыл бұрын

David Butcher what was your MOS? I wanna join after high school so I’m basically just asking every veteran I meet 😂

@dbeast65

6 жыл бұрын

cheeseball 47 im a 25Q. I joined out of high school im 3 years in. If I could go back I’d do it differently. I’d join the reserves/guard and go through SMP program. Now that I’m enlisted I’m working on a green to gold scholarship to become an officer.

How are the rules for smoking in the US army, and what happens to soldiers who get addicted to alcohol?

Matt, what do you think Operation Freedom's Sentinel/Enduring Freedom will look like in the next five years?

Hey Matt, I was wondering if you could do a video about what to bring to basic, I’m headed to Fort Benning on the 12th and don’t want to overpack or underpack, just the necessities ? Thanks

@Covey7342

6 жыл бұрын

Kyle7168 Just bring toiletries, maybe a extra change of clothes. That's really all you'll need. Just a heads up, 30th AG will be the worst 10 days of you're life.

@Kyle7168

6 жыл бұрын

rileydawg2013 yea I haven’t heard anything positive about it haha thanks for the heads up

matt I notice you mention wanting to have a watch durring basic is there any specify features on the watch that might be better. obviously not some 200 dollar rolex or fitbit

@Staysmokedout21

5 жыл бұрын

Robo legends lmao a $200 Rolex?? In what universe

Can you send Chapstick to BCT? I heard you could send sugar free halls and they allow it at fort Leonardwood.

Lol i have a specific type of famine item brand I prefer and for whatever reason the px (airforce) didn't carry that kind. I had my mom sending them to me all the time. 😂 Another time I got called down to hq because my brother sent me this huge bucket of homemade cookies. 😯 I kept being asked if I had asked him to send them. After saying no two hundred times i was allowed to take them and share with the other flight leaders in my flight.

Ouuuu can't wait for basic in March! !!

@501_CeeJay

6 жыл бұрын

melon god where u goin I leave in March too

@ulysses-_-macareno4472

6 жыл бұрын

vl CJ lv fort sill hbu?

@501_CeeJay

6 жыл бұрын

melon god fort Leonard wood lol good luck

@ulysses-_-macareno4472

6 жыл бұрын

vl CJ lv Goodluck bro!!

@Kentucky_Caveman

6 жыл бұрын

melon god you at basic now, huh?

What kind of scents or brand should the shampoos and deodorant be ?

my dad and his battlebuddy snuck pizza in basic and his drill sargent ate it

Random question and thank you in advance for any responses. I am looking to enlist next year after graduating college. Everything I have read and seen talks about mail time being super important. Honestly, and this may sound bad, but I'm used to distance from my family and friends so I dont think this will be as much of a benefit for me BUT what would be would be something I enjoy doing to relax. In this case, paper games such as cross words, sudoku, etc. Can these be sent in the mail or would I get in trouble?

someones grandma sent cookies and we had just wont battle march shoot and drill sgt looked at them and said im going in my office i want them gone in 2 mins he threw them in the kill zone were we sat during mail call and he walked away

Hello Matt, I hope you are having a good day. Quick questions.. do you know if it is okay to send my husband who is attending at Fort Jackson travel sized(small packet)A&D Ointment? Another thing, when sending them things that are allowed such as when they run out of what package do I use? Cause obviously certain things will not fit in a regular envelope. I really hope you get to answer my question it would help me out so much! Keep up the great content. I love and have learned a lot theough your videos. Thank you for your service Soldier🙏🏼

@lorettaderboven4153

5 жыл бұрын

Most post offices have packaging for military care packages, just have to request them. May not have in small towns. Hope this helps.

If the need the meds oh well allow them to have it if it annoys you people still have needs with medication

What happens when you get to your training station and don’t make height and weight?(I’m in the National Guard and I’m about to ship out to Fort Jackson and I’m a few pounds over).

Food was allowed on basic on the navy on the early 90´s but regulations change

@mattward is it possible to go to BCT during winter months??? And if so when should you enlist to go? Maybe not even winter months just not summer time!!!!

@RichV20

4 жыл бұрын

I went in November-March at Fort leonardwood, Mo.

Hey, my boyfriend went to BCT two weeks ago to Fort sill OK and I will be shipping off to BCT in Fort Jackson. I heard we cannot mail each other from base to base, is that true?

i know this is 2 years late but i leave this sunday and i heard stories about bringing a notebook and some stories about not to bring a notebook. so if i don’t bring a notebook will paper be provided for me to write letters? or should i bring a notebook so i can use the paper to write letters?

Does this exact info goes for deployments also? Just curious.

Maybe drill sergeants hate the rule that u always have 2 ask them 4 medication

So can i bring protein bars when i go to basic instead of having them shipped, or do they search your bags while in basic? I was thinking about buying a box or two of RXbars and just stuffing them in Ziploc bags

@vanessaolvera9866

2 жыл бұрын

From what I’ve seen from other videos they check your bag(s) durning reception or with your drill sergeant.

As far as reading religious text, will you have time to read it? Like every night I would like to read my Bible. Is that something I could do?

Trying to make sure my Filipino mom doesn’t send me a whole pasalubong box that weighs 15 pounds full of food

What about foot cream and foot powder?

i know we sent my bro cough drops and he could have those but that was all

Matt and other commenters, I got a minuteman scholarship and have the choice between Basic Training or cadet basic camp, which one is more worth do you think?

@MattWard89

6 жыл бұрын

Both. You just gotta pick for yourself man..

Someone help me out please. Me and my buddies just lost our 4th member he’s going off to basic to be a MP what can I send him? Like do they only allow small letter envelopes? Can I do a small box? Or something? We just were trying to send a letter from each of us and a couple small things what ever we can

Can you receive supplements? Paticuraly BCAA's. I want to cheat recoveries.

When can you send this to them tho?

Can you send any types of razors?

Do they read your letters ?

do the sergeants read the soldiers letters?

Why about tums or aceters

What about contacts?

What do you mean by "PX" ?