Packing List Helpers :)
- 15-20 copies of money orders ~ Yea kinda allot but it will pay off in the end. They possibly might be taken away but theres a slight chance of that happening. If you are already a reservist or guardsmen the more the better. You will need one in your pocket at all times and I'm tellin ya, its gotta still look crisp and at perfection. Also when you get to tech. school you will need allot also. You should bring these in an accordion file when you will be glad you had by the end of bmt.
- Unit personnel Records ~ These papers are your information records that your requiter will hand you during your enlistment. Always keep these with you either on your person or in your carry-on luggage. These are good to keep in your accordion folder along with your money orders.
- Social Security Card ~ Yep you wanna bring this and another form of id like your drivers license. Most reservist will already have their Military Id's where as active duty trainees wont. If you have your military ID bring it.
- Glasses ~ If you wear prescription glasses bring them. Make sure you have your current prescription with them. They will take them and use them to make your new military goggles, and frame of choice glasses for bmt. Don't bother bringing your contacts with your pretty little contact case because you will not be allowed to wear them in bmt. You will be allowed to wear them in tech. tho so if you want u can get your family members or friends to bring them for you.
- 3 Days worth of Clothing ~ nothing outstanding just stay with neutral colors like tan, grey, black, white. Refrain from wearing anything with logos, or symbols on it. Like I said very simple clothes. You can bring Polo's, or any regular T-Shirt. Khakis are ok and jeans are also ok. you can wear your running shoes with those. Girls, if you wear a regular bra one of these days you can also wear it with your formal dress uniforms later on at bmt. Otherwise, wear your sports bras.Depending on the weather when you ship to bmt you should bring a light jacket. It'll be handy at tech school. If you wear bright colors, cheetah print, or symbolic apparel your mti's (military training instructor) will point you out as an example of what you should NOT wear.
- Pens ~ yes bring some of these. you will want either blue or black ink. Black i would recommend because they will want you to fill out all your document papers or sign stuff in black but bring some blue just in case. Also it good to bring some of your own sharpies to mark your laundry. They will give you some pens but its good to have your own ;)
- Shampoo ~ Do not bring a fool size bottle. All your need is a travel size shampoo just to last you till your first mini-mall run. Make sure its store bought travel shampoos. Any unmarked bottles they will throw away.
- Deodorant (non- aerosol) ~ Clear deodorant I would recommend because you are going to have to clean the surface for inspections every day before you display it in your security drawer. You can bring solid deodorant also, your deodorant is just gonna have to be 100% spotless for inspection.
- Toothbrush ~ none of those travel size ones. They will want you to have a full size toothbrush. Don't bother bringing your electric toothbrushes as they will not let you use it.
- Shaving (guys) ~ I'm not a guy but i do know that you will be shaving practically every day so i would recommend bringing a non electric shaver with multiple replaceable blades. As for shaving cream I'm also not completely sure, but i would probably bring a small thing of shaving cream to get you through the first week until you go on a mini-mall run. I'm sure if you don't bring some, a buddy can let you use some of theirs.
- Toothpaste ~ don't bring a big tube. Try to bring a small travel size one with preferably a snap cap. you are gonna need to clean the cap for inspection and with the screw cap its nearly impossible. you can bring it with a rectangle hard case to put it in. You may or may not get a special military one.
- Bathing Shoes ~ ok so at the Basic Exchange (bx) you can purchase some for 1$ but you can always get your own before you go. If you are, you need to get them in the color black. and make them cheap. Nothing fancy or expensive.
- Soap ~ ok so you can bring bar so but i highly DO NOT recommend bringing one. You are gonna have to remove all the suds after showering for inspection, yea, tell me bout it. The best thing is to buy a travel size soap and purchase one later at the bx. Something white so if your soap spills in your drawer or cubby it wont stain your clothes or towel.
- Tampons & Pads ~ If you have a preferred brand bring it. the smaller amount the better. You are going to have to shove these int he back of your security compartment in a small place. Put them in a Ziploc bag to keep them in a tight small form.
- Bras/Sports Bras ~ you want to bring one regular cupped bra for when you wear your dress uniform. You should bring 6 sports bras but you can get away with not having 6, but you will want enough to last you through loads of laundry at tech school. Its better to have more than you need than have too little. Its best to find ones that are easy to fold with no imperfections.Should be in black, grey, white or tan.
- Hair ties, Bobby Pins, Ect. ~ Bring full new packages of hair ties, bobby pins, hair pins ect. I think conair has these sets of hair accessories that says true match i think. Blonde's, you cannot wear any other color hair accessories than your color hair. To put your hair into a bun use a conair bun maker. i will post a video later.
- Underwear ~ you want to bring 6 pairs, but like i said you can probably bring less. i would recommend 6 though. They should be in colors of white, tan, black or grey. I read that Under Armor Briefs are the bomb. They fold perfect and are the best for keeping perfect for inspection.
- Brushes and Combs ~ Bring or purchase one at the bx. if you bring one bring a black one or ordinary colored one that is small.
- Shaving Items (females) ~ By the time they finally let you shave you are going to want a nice razor not a cheap throw away kind. The Venus razor is good, just bring some extra blades with you. It will need to be displayed in your security drawer untouched until you mti authorises you to use it. Don't bother with shaving cream, aerosol cans are big no-no's. Get a razor with shaving cream on the blades.
- Stamps ~ bring some if you want to send letters to family and friends. You may not get to buy some till you go to the bx so bring some to last you for a few days (not a bunch).
- Watch ~ If you don't bring your own u will will buy one at the bx. Nothing expensive or fancy, just a regular water proof watch in black to keep time. Its important to be on time wherever you go. Also it is good for waking up a few mins. early to get ready in the morning. Especially us ladies.
$ Money Savers $
- Laundry Detergent ~ No you wont need any. You and your crew will be provided with some for everyone to use. you will share the cost.
- Toothbrush Box ~ you can bring one but i don't guarantee that you will use it after the bx. They "may" want you to purchase a specific one later. So if you want you can bring in it in a Ziploc bag or whatever.
- Notebook Paper ~ no you will not need any. Most likely they will let you go buy your own little note pad but you can bring one. You might want to have one when you first get there. Especially with all the stuff they teach you in those first couple of days. you can keep all your document papers in your accordion file.
- Spray Starch/Iron ~ Lol nope, you are there to train not to look snazy. for your dress uniforms they will have the stuff you need to make it look decent.
- Foot Powder ~ you may need some of this but you should wait till you get to the bx. And see how much room in your cubby area you have left.
- Batteries ~ for flashlight.. no. you can buy some at the bx.
- Calling Card ~ if you cut your service before you go and buy a refill card so you don't pay while your gone.... well i suggest you just keeping it. just stay with your plan and forget all the card reload hassle okay :) bring you phone and charger
Maybe Items
- Panty Hose ~ you wont need very many. you actually only need one or two pairs. Its a whole lot better to buy them at the bx. You probably wont use them since they may just make you wear pants not a skirt. If you think ur size is hard to find you can bring one navy pair and one tan pair.
- Stationary ~ you can bring your own (if you do don't bring an excessive amount) Or you can buy some at the bx.
- Sewing Kit ~ Yea from what iv heard its really beneficial to bring your own sewing kit.(the little one) don't make it pink or whatever, like i said guys, neutral colors. If you don't buy one before you go your going to buy one at the bx.
- Pairs of Socks ~ you can bring a few pairs 2or 3. I would personally bring like ankle sock because i don't like crew socks but crew socks may actually be more beneficial so bring crew. but you can wear short socks going down there. But you will be able to wear the socks you want until they issue your uniforms so wear whatever sock type you like :) btw NO COLORS lol neutral guys.
- Spandex Shorts/Compression Shorts ~ Yea baby you gonna want these big time. You don't want to be stretching and you mtis looking at your bloopers :) . The recommended Brand that iv heard are excellent for bmt are the Under Armor Heat Gear compression shorts. Either length is fine, they are going to be worn under you physical training pants so length doesn't matter. This is only if your pt wear are shorts. im not sure but i think in the winter they have u wear sweat pants, idk. They are not that pricey. probably like ranged from $7 to $20 i haven't checked. you wanna buy like 2 or three pairs. The UA logo is gonna have to be gone so sharpie can do the trick :)
