[Auridan]

It doesn't matter what color envelope your letter is in. As long as it's not covered in porn or rap lyrics, it will be just fine.

In my experience, normal envelopes could be opened privately, so you can get birthday cards if you like and nobody will know. But don't let anyone send you the musical or noise-making kind. That'll definitely get you called out and made fun of. On the other hand, the little devices in those get a handy second life as magnets on the boards in the RDCs' office, so if you feel like providing one...

Packages and large, padded envelopes WILL have to be opened in front of an RDC so they can see there's no contraband. What falls under that definition is somewhat up to them. I received a booklet of sudoku puzzles, a larger, magazine-like book of assorted other puzzles, and a number of home newspapers. I suspect my senior chief liked me pretty well, or I'd never have gotten to keep any of it. It's also possible he just didn't quite notice. When brother div's chief saw it, he nearly lost his mind. (If you like puzzles, have someone print a few individually on paper tucked in a legitimate letter, or printed on the backside.) But really, I don't advise getting anything but letters. You barely have space for them, and not much else will generally be allowed.

Here's the other side of the coin:

One of my Marine buddies swore he was pretty much obligated to send me a sizable package covered in "gay porn" markings and anti-Navy slurs, just to get me messed with. I almost wish he had done, because I'd love to tell that story now.