RECRUIT TRAINING COMMAND U. S. NAVAL TRAINING CENTER
Great Lakes, Illinois
My dear Madam,
I am happy to inform you that your son has arrived safely at this center, and to assure you that the United States Navy gladly accepts the responsibility for his welfare and security.
He is now ready to begin his prescribed period of recruit training during which time he will be taught the fundamentals of navy life, and will be prepared mentally and physically for his future duties.
He will not be allowed to receive visitors until after his “Service Week”, which, on the average occurs in his fourth week of training. There are two reasons for this; first, to safeguard his health by preventing the spread of any disease to which he may have been exposed prior to his entry into the Navy; second, to give him an opportunity to overcome homesickness which we have found from many years of experience takes four weeks on the average to accomplish.
After completion of this “Service Week”, a recruit is permitted to receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Each recruit is instructed to write his family the date he is eligible to receive visitors.
To insure reasonable comfort and service, the number of visitors for each recruit must be limited to members of his immediate family and close friends. It is necessary that you return the attached postcard ten (10) days prior to your intended visit. Upon return of this card you will be mailed a Visitors Pass entitling you to visit the center. However, no Visitors Pass can be sent unless the attached postcard is filled out properly and completely. Visitors Passes are granted in the order in which requests are received.
The above restrictions are made solely for your convenience and comfort. You are urgently requested to comply strictly with the above regulations, as otherwise you may be refused admittance to the center.
To meet the demands of the service, the total period of training varies from six to twelve weeks. During this training period, recruits are not allowed to leave the center. However, movies, athletics, libraries, canteens, and many other recreations are provided at the center for the entertainment of the men. Upon completion of this training period, each recruit is granted a leave prior to further transfer. This leave is five days, plus additional days for travel. The average of this leave is nine days.
Families wishing to send money to recruits should purchase postal money orders, readily cashable in any regimental post office. Checks, from either individuals or corporations will be returned since there are no banking facilities here for cashing them.
During the period of training, the Navy endeavors to produce a future leader of men, a man of whom his community, his family, and the service will be proud. Constant attention is given to the physical, mental, and moral well being of the recruit. Members of the Chaplain Corps of the Navy are available to all recruits for personal and spiritual counsel, and opportunities for public worship held by them are ever present.
Cheerful letters from home are of real benefit to the recruit, and are the best means of encouraging him to correspond frequently. Although he is instructed to write home often, he sometimes fails to do so. This should not be a cause for alarm however, for you will be notified immediately in case of his serious illness. While he is training here, letters addressed to him, Company #1142 U. S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois, will be delivered promptly. In the event of serious emergency, your son should be notified by telegraph, as incoming telephone lines are reserved for official use. Such telegrams should be addressed in the same manner as that required for letters. If it is necessary for him to call you, public telephones are available for his use.
Inquiries regarding recruits should be addressed to the Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command, U. S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois.
Sincerely yours,
W. TUREK, Commander, USNR, Commanding Officer.
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