I am going for basic training next week I like to know what are the essentials that I need to take?

davidgardner32

You won't have to buy anything...they'll issue you everything you need. Personally, I'd take as little as possible. Some places actually make you pack up all your "civilian" stuff and send it home. Your time is going to be pretty much occupied, so you won't have a lot of "extra" time. And if there's something you really need, you'll be able to buy it at the PX after the first few weeks and you get PX privileges.
But as a general rule, I'd take as little as possible.
Good luck!

Don't take a thing. They are going to take all your worldly posessions away from you and give you everything you need to survive from toothbrush to undies. Boot camp threw out (or something) my son's brand new $200 tennis shoes I told him not to take to bootcamp. No one was impressed, and he never saw them again after he was issued his stuff. Wear crappy shoes, old clothes, and cut your hair before you get there. They like that a lot. Have a great time in the service. I loved it.

Wudbiser

Nothing. they gonna keep you up all night and give you everything you need for basic. God help you, I been trhough it

dodgerblue_2008

Take yourself and the clothes on your back

Everything else will be issued to you

kim t

Call the office and ask them the military will give you a list of the things you can take with follow the the list to a T or this item will be tossed.

G D

the best thing to do is ask your recruiter, he/she should be the focal point for any and all questions military related. A small bag of personal clothing, shaving toiletries and such are highly suggested. You won't need the clothes you bring at first, but after you get out of Basic, chances are you will go straight to your next training location, where your personal clothes can be worn, and you will already have them.

Proudmom

you will need one change of clothes, tolietries, a cheap pair of flip flops for shower shoes, my son baught a cheap wallet so his would not get messed up, take no more than $50. A phone card to call home. Your ATM card!!! I would take a small address book and stamps. 3 padlocks. You will be given a locker to store items that are not allowed.

You can take a book with you to read at the airport but you will have to put it with your other items once you get to basic.

They will supply you with all of your military stuff. You will be able to go to the PX and buy things like writing supplies, and other personal items.

The first part of basic is very hard as that part is more of a mental game, hang in there and know it gets better and easier. I am proud of you for taking this step and wish you all the best.

Iguana

You can go naked. They give you a duffel bag at one end of a long warehouse. By the time you get to the other end the bag is stuffed full and you are waring fatigues, boots, everything. The will give you a razor and soap and a buzz cut. When I was drafted the gave me a "Flying Five" $5. Out of that I had to pay for my buzz cut ($.50) and I had to sweep up my hair. The buzz cut took less than 60 seconds.

sgt

Just take you and your clothes you will need for maybe one day. You probably have to ship those home very soon. Do not take anything expensive, rings, watches, cell phones. You can get those later or after basic.

NOBAMA 2008

One set of "civies" (civilian clothes), No books...you won't have the free time to read em...The only other things I suggest would be letter writing supplies, postage stamps, a pack of baby wipes (I know this sounds strange but when you get in the field where there's no showers or baths you'll thank me!) a razor and some basic toiletries and that's about it...

Good luck and thanks for serving!

Bulldog

Military should give you a list a items you will need and be allowed to have with you, anything else should be left at home. Allot of stuff is considered contraband in boot camp, candy, caffeine, tobacco in any form. Contraband can get you and your platoon in trouble.

nighthunter6

First, what branch are you joining? Next, whatever you do, DO NOT bring any books! The service will issue you whatever they want you to read. For instance, The Blue Jacket's Manual will be issued in the Navy, and if you actually have a moment to read you will want to be studying their stuff. Some branches will let you have a watch, get something cheap with a stopwatch, so you can time your PT runs. However, when I went through boot only one person was allowed to have a watch, and he was responsible for keeping the whole company on time :(

Marine

I don't know anything about the army but as far as the Marine Corps, you will need social security card, paperwork your recruiter give to you, wear a shirt and a pant when you arrive, 20 dollar bill.

20 dollar bill? Bride money or something. I'm not all that sure but my recruiter told me to bring it.

cuccosarenotnuggets

Ask your recruiter. lol I don't know, honestly. I know you get Sundays off...I think...

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