What other things can I bring to Fort Jackson for basic training?

Question

I'm going to ship out for basic training next month so I'm packing up right now. Can I bring any of the following items? My recruiter never gave me a list of things to get so I'm going by websites.

Cough Drops
Envelopes
Stamps
Pens, Sharpies, Mechanical Pencils, & Pencils
College Ruled Paper
Composition Notebooks
Memo Books

That's about it so far for what I'm asking.

Answer 1

Ask your recruiter for a list and stick to it. When I was in I had an extra suitcase full of civilian clothes because I was going from basic straight to a long tech school. I would check, storeroom space may be at a premium.

Answer 2

Bring civillian clothes that you are wearing. Everything else will be issued to you during zero week. You will have an opportunity to buy pens, pencils, paper ect at the BX, do not take cough drops. No memo books, bring a pic of the family if you need to. They will march you down to buy your 1st needs, underwear, shaving accessories, hair requirements if you are female. Warn your family do not send "care packages" with cookies or any other civillian luxuries, you will regret anything other than a letter being sent to you, it will be opened by your DI. Get sleep, lots of it. stretch every day, get up and run, do lots and lots of sit ups and push ups. You will be able to make an initial phone call when you arrive and have been given the allotted time. Let them know, short and sweet 10 seconds, im here im fine and then they will not hear from you again until you have reached the level of aclimation to military life that is expected. Loose your pride, you wont need it there, it will hinder your progress. What happens to you is supposed to happen, and is happening to everyone else. Good luck, God speed.

Sister in Arms

Answer 3

Don't bring the composition books; you won't have any use for them. Make sure to get pocket-sized memo book, so you can take notes on the fly. You don't need retard candy (cough drops). You can actually buy everything there, and they'll have a list of stuff you'll be required to buy at the PX as soon as you get there.

Take some chapstick with you. The assortment there is severely limited. Take along some white and black socks. You can pick up extra underwear when you get there (and buy extra underwear, unless you enjoy wearing it dirty.) Oh, and take the current Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks (SMCT) there are certain tasks on which they will test you, but aren't found in the abridged version they will give you.

Answer 4

The things you will need to bring or purchase after getting there are:
Shaving Cream
Razors
Soap
Nail Clippers (NO NAIL CLEANING BLADE)
Shaving Kit
Paper for letters
Paper for notes IE: Spiral notebook apprx half the size of regular paper.
Pencils
Pens (Black)
Envelopes
Stamps
White Socks ( Over the calf)
RUNNING Shoes (NOT CROSS TRAINERS) The Pt Uniform Colors (In Basic) are light Gray
Watch

Pretty much everything else will be put in your personal bag and locked up until time for graduation.
Almost forgot 3 Locks. Key type are the best since for some reason Soldiers in training always forget their Combo.

Answer 5

Ok, believe me when I say this, you DON'T want to bring a lot with you. Because when you get there, you're going to get issued a fair amount of stuff [i.e. uniforms, laundry bags, etc.] & everything you have at reception battalion, goes with you to your BCT unit. But in short, a lot of people ended up leaving stuff behind at Recept. because it wouldn't all fit in their bags. Trust me, you'll have time when you get to your unit to go shopping again.
Oh, & you're allowed to put up pictures in your wall locker of friends, family, & so on. Just, as long as the picture doesn't involve alcohol & isn't provocative, etc. Mail Call will be everyday [but Sunday, since mail doesn't run on Sunday] or as often as your unit manages, our Drill Sgts used to tell us it was a right, not a privilege. Also, they weren't/are not allowed to open our mail. They had us open it & show us what was inside if they were suspicious of said envelope/package.
Also, we never used pencils in our unit, only plain black pen. If anything, I'd say buy thick white crew cut socks before you go, the ones they sell [at least at our PX], are not very thick.
Oh, I do suggest buying a phone card beforehand though, I personally think it's easier that way. They gave us ten minutes to call home [per person] & say that we had arrived safely. But that might depend on your Recept. Battalion.

Answer 6

Those all sound good. Soldiers aren't permitted flavored cough drops.

You honestly don't need a lot for basic, mainly just the clothes on your back. They'll supply you with everything, and give you plenty of opportunities to go to the 'store'.

If you have ANY questions, especially about Jackson, let me know. I've spent plenty of time there the past couple of years for training, I know all about it.

Answer 7

first of all, convey your ACU backpack, something colourful will in simple terms make you a aim. basically a backpack will do, as quickly as your airplane lands in Columbia they'd have you ever wait in the USO till the two a cab or bus is scheduled to take you to citadel Jackson. they gained't throw away your individual products except you have tabacco or alchohol. you would be waiting to maintain your workers products all the way by way of reception (which lasts approximately 3-5 days) till you get shipped out on your organization. as quickly as your at your organization, your drill seargents will take your bag and lock it in a room. you will no longer see it lower back till commencement. So p.c.. easy, basically sufficient cloths for a million-2 days and problem-loose hygene products is all you will particularly desire. good success and have exciting at problem-loose.

Answer 8

Be careful with cough drops when I was at basic we weren't allowed flavored ones. Double check with your recruiter. Don't worry if you bring something not allowed the drill instructors will confiscate it and you will see it when you get to AIT

Answer 9

talk to your recruiter he/she should tell you. the stuff you have listed above they will give or allow you to buy when there.

Answer 10

http://www.jackson.army.mil/BCT/What_to_Expect.htm

This shows you what to bring. More importantly, it shows you what NOT to bring.