home from basic training?

Question

My son is coming home from basic training for christmas but has to return to basic What can I get him for Christmas that is allowed to go back with him?.

Answer 1

There's pretty much nothing he will be allowed to take back to basic. Get him something he can enjoy while he is home, and then leave with you and have again when he gets out of training. A lot of people said baked goods, but those WILL be confiscated if he taks them back with him. A pair of running shoes would probably work, but he should already have some since he's been gone for a while.

Also, one person said they were going to get body armor for a soldier. He will be issued body armor when he gets to his first duty station. EVERY soldier receives it now, there is no reason to spend the money on it. Some units will not allow the soldiers to wear body armor that they were not issued. If that is something that he would like/need, I would definitely wait until he gets to his unit and I'd probably even wait until he is deployed, so that he can try out what he was issued before he decides he wants something else. That's a lot of money to spend on something he will probably never use.

Good luck and enjoy your time with your soldier!

Answer 2

Do Soldiers come home after basic training. Some soldiers elect to do a split option training. Meaning that they will go through at the beginning of summer for basic, then do AIT the year following. However they remain in Defferred Enlistment Program while they are in the transition phase. If you elect to go during the winter, there will be a furlough over christmas and new year, so you would be getting 2 weeks off of training after basic. The other thing that you can do is Hometown Recruiting Program, where they will send you back to your home town and you will work in a recruiters office. Typically around 2 weeks, however this will be after you complete AIT or your MOS School. NOTE: The Split option program is only available to undergraduates of high school, meaning you can enlist at 17, as long as upon your completion date you turn 18 years of age, and in some special cases full time college students can go to split option training while on summer leave from college. IF you are under 18 you will need your parents to sign the waiver allowing you to enlist.

Answer 3

NOthing!! The Army is providing him with everything he needs. The recruits are not allowed any personal items. They are not allowed an luxuries. They are not allowed to smoke, drink or take over the counter meds.

The best thing to give him would be a gift card that he can use after he graduates BCT. Once he gets in AIT, he'll have more freedoms and more needs. With a gift card, he can get what he wants, when he needs it.

Also, don't send him back to BCT with baked goods. They will be confiscated by the Drill Sergeants. They will be held until graduation, by which time they'll be no good. They're not allowed any candy or sugar products such as baked goods. Ask your son what's contraband and be sure to avoid anything he tells you.

Answer 4

Get him what ever he wants or you want to buy him. He may not be able to take it back right now but he'll be out of basic soon enough that he can take it with him to his next station. He'll probably be glad at whatever you get. Basic Training has restrictions and even if he could take with him he may still want to Waite and get it later on when his through basic and all. So do what ever you want for him and have a nice holiday

Answer 5

Give him traveller's checks if you must give him anything. Or, buy some Burger King gift certificates for when he graduates basic. I had little money, but big plans when I graduated. Maybe it's changed now, but the only fast food on post when I was in the army was Burger King. Didn't bother me, that was my favorite. But, he will probably be starving for a gut bomb grease burger when he graduates. And, give him lots of HOME, while he's home. That's the best.

Answer 6

that drill sgt was only half right -

at this time of year, most of the kids are probably pretty sick - you would do him a favor by having him take plenty of vitamin C and seeing a doctor if he needs it BEFORE he goes back... and no, they don't see everybody at sick call -

I'm a little shocked that the drill sgt didn't mention this b/c even they get sick too...

a long time ago, I was in the same situation - I thought that I was 'too tough' to go see a doctor when I got back but I finally broke down and went -

they told me that I had a pretty bad case of pneumonia - so bad that if I hadn't gone that it could've gotten bad enough to cause me permanent damage

the best thing to give your son? good health - then he can go back without any more excuses, lol

Answer 7

A pair of nice running shoes. Or an Ipod that he can use after Basic Training.

Answer 8

Probably the best thing is something he can eat, like a box of home made cookies or something. For something that lasts, a good set of shirts or a nice pair of running shoes.

He'll have room for more things once he gets his first assignment.

EDIT: I can't believe it! Everybody says cookies and running shoes! I didn't see the other answers first - honest! Must be a good idea!

Answer 9

General comforts. I think the gift card idea is a great one. When he gets out of basic, he can use it to celebrate his freedom!! Send him back with a small family photo or something to remember that you are thinking of him.

Thank him for his service for me.

Answer 10

As a former Drill Sergeant, give him money. Remember, in basic he has little free time, fat food and snacks are prohibited. What ever else he gets he will need to lug around with him between stations.

God Bless your son for his duty and sacrifice thank him for me.