So not a dumb question but just one of those things that is on my mind. I know there is a list of things to bring to BCT. But I was wondering if there was anything that you wish you had brought that wasn't on the list but you were allowed to have? Ohh and can I bring OTC pain meds like Ibuprofen? Thanks everyone for all the info.

check out the topic bag check at begining of bct on page two of these discussions..it should answer your question indirectly

quote:

Originally posted by saturdaysoldier:
So not a dumb question but just one of those things that is on my mind. I know there is a list of things to bring to BCT. But I was wondering if there was anything that you wish you had brought that wasn't on the list but you were allowed to have? Ohh and can I bring OTC pain meds like Ibuprofen? Thanks everyone for all the info.

I've never seen anyone yet post,"I wish I would have brought..." It's always the opposite.

If I were going tomorrow here's what I would wear, and bring.

I would wear a plain pair of jeans with a belt, a plain short sleeve shirt or T-shirt of some kind without any writing on it and a pair of sneakers.

I would bring:

I extra pair of jeans.

3 more plain shirts.

1 more pair of lightweight shoes...just in case.

Underwear for 3 days.

A small deoderant, a new disposable razor and a small can (travel size) of shaving cream.

A new toothbrush and travel size toothpaste.

A small container of body wash and a small shampoo.

That should be all you need. 2 days worth of change of clothes is probably enough but I would bring 3 just in case. I would also be prepared to trash any and all of my toiletries so as to buy the one(s) the MTI recommends on the first "shopping trip"

Besides that, I might also bring a small notebook and pen and some plain writing paper with envelopes already stamped. A pre-paid phone card wouldn't be a bad idea but I know you can purchase those there too.

I would also empty my wallet of all non-essential pictures and junk. You won't need your gym membership card or your Starbucks punch cards. Just the basics like a little cash and my ID. Someone else can mail you "a few" pictures of your girlfriend, pet, family, etc in basic but you'll be spared the first night of everyone making fun of anything and everything they can find on you.

NO meds! And,anything else (unless you're female)than what's above is probably superflous and possible ammunition for getting picked on and/or made fun of.

BTW, this list is for the Air Force. Other services could vary but the idea would still be the same.

So do you have to use the crappy disposable razors? I was hoping to be able to bring atleast my mach 3 are you not allowed? I will be doing army bct at leonard wood.

You CAN bring pictures of your loved ones/family.
You CAN bring full-sized personal hygiene items (shaving cream)
You CAN bring a Mach 3 Razor.

The best advice I can give you is to go to the website for your BCT post. From the main page, there should be a link for Basic Training. From that page, you should find a link to a packing list. Bring the things that are allowed, do NOT bring the items from the "Prohibited Items" list. Too easy.

Matt
SPC, US Army
15U

quote:

Originally posted by Mad_Matt:
You CAN bring pictures of your loved ones/family.
You CAN bring full-sized personal hygiene items (shaving cream)
You CAN bring a Mach 3 Razor.

The best advice I can give you is to go to the website for your BCT post. From the main page, there should be a link for Basic Training. From that page, you should find a link to a packing list. Bring the things that are allowed, do NOT bring the items from the "Prohibited Items" list. Too easy.

Matt
SPC, US Army
15U

Thanks Matt I appreciate it. You are one of the main people that can always be depended on to give great advice and info. I know you have helped me out a great deal with my personal posts and by reading your previous posts. Anyway thanks

so what about girls' personal hygeine??? will we get time to shave our legs, etc?? or should i not even worry about bringing a razor??

CDT_Heishman in basic time is hard to come by and at the end of the day all you want is sleep. (The phrase you can't blame a girl for trying comes to mind.) LOL!!! You can bring stuff to shave, but you really won't have time or care to until graduation. Hope that helps.

(No one is 100% correct, and I'm human so you may want to check with a recruiter and get their opinion. The above is just what my recruiter and other female soldiers have told me.)

Hope it helps!!!

Thinking back to BCT, here is some stuff I wish I had then and which is allowed:

Q-tips; For cleaning your weapon. You can sometimes get some from cleaning kits, but other people hog them up. Plus you can put them in with toiletries so its not unusual looking.

Camelbak cleaning tablets; Small dissovalable tablets used for cleaning camelbaks and canteens. IF you can get some at a sports store or something, take a couple to use to clean out your issued canteen quickly.

Good pens; At least six, kind with caps so they won't explode in the washer if you leave them in.

Laundry sharpie; To mark your ACUs and clothes. Very useful, because clothes get mixed up like crazy in basic. Make sure you only mark a tag or something so the sharpie doesn't bleed through to the outside.

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Other than that, just remember you don't need anything special to make it through BCT-everyone in the Army has done it. BCT is where you are exposed to the absolute worst equipment the Army can give you, after it you can go out and buy your highspeed coolguy gear.

My sanity.
But seriously, get yourself some pre-stamped post-cards. Doing so, you'll find it makes it a quick/easy way to let family/friends know how you're doing and how/where to keep in touch. I hope I made sense.

Baby wipes. Lots of them.


In BCT, there are 3 bathroom situations:

1. In the bay, there is NEVER any toilet paper, so when you take a ****(which you will be doing. ALOT. especially after eating an MRE) you will greatly appreciate baby wipes.

2. Out in the woods. Obviously you want something other than leaves to wipe your ass with

3. The coveted giant port-a-potty latrine they have out on the ranges, which is a big room with a bunch of holes in the ground that go down about 10ft to a huge pile of garbage, feces and ****...you'll want baby wipes just to sit down on the seats, then more to wipe your ass afterwards.


And this is written from the perspective of a male at ft benning, maybe other places are a little different...but I doubt it.