Misc. questions

hopeful1

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As we are trying to purchase the items needed for RDay, I have a few questions.

1. I know if it is not on the list, don't worry, however......:redface: Are there any items that would be recommended? For example, moleskin, throat lozenges?

2. Razors...electric, manual or both?

3.Sunglasses...Yes or forget them at home?

4. Where do you write their name on the socks? Of course, I wouldn't splash my future swab's name in calligraphy across the top:shake: ,but since there is a specific fold, where is the best place? Speaking of socks, everything else is in sets of 12. Would you recommend sending additional socks in a care package later?


BTW- We had the strangest look from the cashier at Target as we bought all of the T-shirts and boxer briefs they had in stock:wink: I guess it is not every day that someone buys a cart full of underwear!
 
hopeful1,

We have some of the same questions as you do. I think we might be able to get some of them answered when the listserv gets activated.

I don't think our kids are supposed to label their clothes until they get there. I could be wrong (I might be mixing CGA's instruction up with one of the other SA's instructions, someone can set me straight!).

Looking back at last year's posts, some of the other items that came in handy were throat lozenges, laundry markers, NEVR DULL. (I think most of this can be sent, rather than carried with them on R-day.)

Anyone (current cadet, parent) who wants to offer any other suggestions, they would be very welcome. What about body glide (for running) and Gold Bond. Can they have these items?

Thanks!
 
Hi there and congratulations. We used a laundry marker and put his last name on the bottom part of the toe of his socks so they are not in view at all. For the underwear/undershirst, we put the name inside the band. They are taught how to do laundry and given time to do laundry. I would send the amount they are told. You can always send more if they write and tell you to. I would label everything before he/she goes and wash everything first. Although they don't have a lot of free time (!), the exchange on campus has a lot of toiletry items if they need something. :thumb:
 
Forgot to mention that you should send what they normally use as far as toiletries and razors. They get a very limited amount of time for showering/dressing so probably using whatever they are used to is probably the best and fastest for them. I have always heard it is best to send a one-bottle liquid soap that is okay as a body wash and shampoo, the fastest the better and less to carry. Again, it is always best for them not to start something new when they get there. I doubt many of the female cadets want to use the one-bottle thing for their hair and body wash, but since the guys really have no hair (!), washing their head is really similar to washing their legs or back. My son took a pair of sunglasses but not sure how often he was allowed to use them until later in the summer.
 
Throat lozenges are a good thing to have. Moleskin might be too, but if you get really bad blisters then you can go to the clinic to have them treated.

Bring both types of razors if you have them. Your son will probably not shave well enough every day and its nice to just touch it up without having to lather up with shaving cream.

Sunglasses would be helpful on Eagle.

As far as clothes here is the reality. It doesnt matter how many your bring or if or where you write your name on them. It's not something that the cadre go through and count and they don't care if they see your name on your socks. So don't fret over the details, just bring a bunch of white underwear, white socks and v-necks. Write your name on them so that you can determine whether they're yours or your roommates when you leave your light on and your room gets tossed.

Bottom line, if you think you will need something, bring it. You won't be held accountable for anything you do before you report so if you bring something that you shouldn't have then the cadre will tell you and you put it away for the summer. Now if that stuff is still in your room on day 2 or 3 then there might be some problems.....


(BTW this is all from someone who has been a cadre)
 
Now if that stuff is still in your room on day 2 or 3 then there might be some problems.....

Seriously take notice of this! Don't try to hide civvies in your closet and have the cadre find them on day 3...one guy in my company last summer did that and my entire company pretty much had the "meaning of the word discipline" memorized by the end of that day. Talk about not staying under the radar.

As for stuff to bring...I would definitely recommend putting together a care package of items like little snacks. Also, I would recommend a lighter (for your ODU pants-which you wear everyday, to burn little threads off since they're flame retardant) and a small pair of decent scissors for cutting little threads off trops...trying to pull them out using a nail clipper is not fun. I would just put those in the care package those as they don't take up much space.

And I really recommend 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 shampoo, male or female. I noticed someone said earlier about female swabs not wanting to use it...honestly, at that point, it's not about wanting to use it, its about being able to shower in the fastest time possible and using three separate bottles every time you shower during Swab Summer is ridiculous. I used some kind of kid 3-in-1 and my family sent me "real" toiletries later on that I would have used had I not been medically discharged. And yes, I am a female!
 
Don't bring anything extra on RDay, you have to carry it. We prepared a small plastic shoe size box (lid was attached to box) (Name and company written on the lid). In it was 2 bags of fruit flavored throat lozenges, a tube of extra strength hair gel, small scissors, 2 lighters, moleskin, box of larger heel size band aids and a tube of Neosporin.
First letter requested Gatorade single packets for water bottle, Clif Bars, more hair gel, packet of swifter clothes, Windex wipes and duct tape. Since we live relatively near the Academy we packed up the box and dropped it off at the Watch Office in Chase Hall.
What was entertaining was when she was a 2/c Cadre, we received the same type of emails, but for different things as there was very little time for them to leave campus :thumb:
Don't worry about extra socks, if they need them they'll ask. Write name on everything, toe of sock, hem of tshirt, waistband of undergarments; everything turns grey by the end of Swab Summer anyway and will be used as dust rags.
My wife wants me to add: She found Wal-Mart to carries the SMALL men's V-neck tshirt that once washed do shrink a bit (both our daughters are size 0-2).
Females, bring sports bras; our cadet never wore anything but sports bras the entire 4 years and continues to wear them on active duty (says they are far more comfortable on long days out patrolling). First thing our cadet requested after Swab Summer was for mom to get her new undergarments (VS and Aerie are in the Crystal Mall; dad spent the time sitting on the bench outside the store waiting on the women) :rolleyes:
This is really something dad doesn't know too much about! :eek:
The most important thing your incoming Swab can do is get their shoes broken in; foot problems during Swab Summer can make them miserable. Biggest problem is often blistering. Second thing, wean off of soda and energy drinks; drink lots of water and keep hydrated.
 
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Thanks for all the great suggestions!!! Guess we better get shopping for some of these items!!

We also got some funny looks when we checked out with a bunch of white underwear, tee shirts and all the tall socks that JC Penneys had on the shelf!!!
 
Don't bring anything extra on RDay, you have to carry it. We prepared a small plastic shoe size box (lid was attached to box) (Name and company written on the lid). In it was 2 bags of fruit flavored throat lozenges, a tube of extra strength hair gel, small scissors, 2 lighters, moleskin, box of larger heel size band aids and a tube of Neosporin.

Did your swab carry this box with them on R-Day or did you drop it off? Thanks.
 
Islander,

You (parent) will drop off the package, your swab will have enough to carry around that day :smile:
 
There will be a large mail cart usually outside of Leamy on R-Day and parents may leave care packages in it for their swabs. You can leave a box of snacks or whatever in that cart. Avoid chocolate. It's usually hot and the cart is left in the sun. They are delivered later to Chase Hall to your cadet.
 
@Islander ~ drop the box off, we can lead the way :rolleyes:
Dropping off our first daughter on RDay was definitely not like dropping off any other college student.
We had 8 passengers in our Tahoe, 2 of whom were incoming Swabs. They got out of the car, each carrying a single back pack and a folder with their papers. :thumb:
 
I would agree with everyone who says to pack as little as possible. Your swab will have to carry their bag around so you want as small a bag as possible. An old backpack or gym bag that you don't care if you ever see again is the best choice. We never saw any of the white boxers, socks and tee shirts again!
Drop off any care packages on R-Day. The mail is slow during the summer and things take awhile to be sorted and distributed.
I remember that our son told us that they all stunk by the end of the 7 weeks, and his feet were a mess.He sometimes had to shave over the trash can in his room. They just don't have much time! He didn't use his electric razor until fall. Disposable ones got a closer shave according to him.
I would advise Mom and Dad to make copies of all of the paperwork, incl passport, that you sent in, and take a copy with you to R-Day especially if you are traveling from another state. My son lost his passport the very first day after checking in...had to apply for another one, which is where the copy came in handy, and then he ended up getting a military one issued anyways.Found the original a year later!
 
tube socks scenario

Does anyone know if you should purchase "real" tube socks...those without heels or tube socks with heels, or just regular white socks that come up to your calf?
 
I would go with high socks that HAVE heals....more comfort. I don't remember them being an issue. I do remember my toe nails going black from my black socks. :eek:
 
Thanks for all of the information. I'm sure as the days quickly tick away, I will think of 1,000,001 additional questions.


What's everyone's opinion on wicking socks? Are they worth the extra money to help prevent blisters?
 
Do travel light

I went back for Rday the year my son was cadre. Seeing him in command was great. Seeing him stop his rant, turn his head away from swabs and toward his mom, give her a wink and smile--that was priceless.

Incoming class, do travel light. One company was exiting the bus after leaving Leamy. Everyone looking on thought the entire group was out. Some time later a lone swab was struggling to get her large suitcase off the bus. Not good. Not good at all.

Parents, DO have a package or two to drop in the mail bin outside Leamy Hall.
Cadets, DO have every thing and only the things listed. DO keep in mind the Coast Guard believes in you and chose to invest in you. Even your cadre was in your shoes just 24 months earlier. They made it and are where you will be in a very short time. Really.

Both, DO try to get to the campus day before. Hit chapel, meet some incoming classmates, get a feel for the lay of the campus. Pick a spot to meet after swearing in. You will know your swab's company, and should be able to pick them out when they parade in.
 
Thanks for all of the information. I'm sure as the days quickly tick away, I will think of 1,000,001 additional questions.


What's everyone's opinion on wicking socks? Are they worth the extra money to help prevent blisters?

Wish my wife had taken a photo of our DD feet after Swab Summer. Saying that they were a mess would be an understatement.
This go around we've dropped the big $$ for the wicking running crew socks (DD's are very petite; tube socks went over her knees) :redface: to help prevent the blistering that DD #1 dealt with. (we ordered her a couple of pairs and sent them to her during Swab Summer and she said they made a big difference).
There are great running gear web sites that actually drop the price the more pair you order.
 
R-day stuff

Another couple of things.....

1. Write down their sizes and brand for the clothes they bring to r-day. Middle of the summer, daughter asked us to send another sports bra and we couldn't remember the type/size she bought. Better idea...buy two of everything, keep 1/2 at home, mail some during the summer. Daughter said she loved getting a package of new, clean underwear....who'd a known it!

2. Same with shoes.....we bought two pair and broke BOTH pair in before she left. That way when she needed pair #2, we could mail them, and they were broken in.

3. Make sure you have a small snack and drink for them at the end of R-day (you can buy something at the exchange if you want). You will get 10 teary eyed minutes at the end of R-day to meet with them and they really need a drink, snack and some love....and don't forget the kids without parents at R-day.......they can be some of the most pathetic looking, depressed kids when they have to stand around while everyone else says goodbye to their parents. Adopt a stray swab that day....just grab one..they'll be obvious.
 
I believe the tube socks are called "motivational socks" but can't remember why. I think they need to be high for climbing the rope on the obstacle course???
 
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