Beast Care Package allowables?

Bigdog1987

10-Year Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2010
Messages
392
I have looked everywhere for it and can't seem to find it. Is there a list or a brief synopsis of 'allowed' items new cadets can receive during beast? I've heard the 'no food' but is there any other no's that family might want to send?
 
The only items I sent to my son during Beast were items he requested in his first phone call, they were boot socks and shoe inserts. He got permission to receive these items before he asked me to send them. Later I found out that he had to open the package in the presence of cadre so they could make sure no food was included.

I don't recommend mailing anything other than letters or cards unless your new cadet requests something.
 
No care packages at all. Like WAMom68 said, the few items that are allowed are approved by cadre and opened in front of them. In last summer's heat wave, it was approved for new cadets to receive small tabletop fans and I did send one to my NC. Impress upon your friends and family that letters are it. You will also find that you hardly have time to read those as it is.

Remember, you want to fly under the radar at Beast.
 
All packages must be opened in front of your new cadet's COC. Send only items your new cadet requests, which will pretty much be limited to medical stuff (mole skin, blister band-aids, ect) and extra issued type items (such as socks). I only received blister band-aids from my parents. You really don't need anything.
 
Mentioned above are a few items that former cadets have requested during beast. Can a cadet bring moleskin, blister bandaids and extra socks upon arrival to beast? (It makes sense to have those items on hand before the feet suffer) Or do you advise they request those items well into beast because they would be taken away when the new cadets check in?

Thanks in advance!
 
Mentioned above are a few items that former cadets have requested during beast. Can a cadet bring moleskin, blister bandaids and extra socks upon arrival to beast? (It makes sense to have those items on hand before the feet suffer) Or do you advise they request those items well into beast because they would be taken away when the new cadets check in?

Thanks in advance!

My son packed light to attend Beast, but he did pack moleskin, blister bandaids, extra socks, a couple pair of compression shorts, and cushion insoles. We sent him several packages after Beast started which included more socks and more compression shorts (black).

Try not to overpack ... keep in mind that you will have to carry this bag around for quite some time, then transfer the contents into the issued bag.

Properly fitting footwear is the best defense against blisters. Make sure they don't slip, or that they're too tight. Once you purchase the low quarters and boots, wear them so your feet get accustomed to them. Take long walks around your neighborhood or wear them to school here and there.
 
Thanks for the quick reply. Now about those low quarters and boots....Should I order them now? Which ones? From Where? Or do I just show great patience and wait until that info comes to my DS?
 
My son packed light to attend Beast, but he did pack moleskin, blister bandaids, extra socks, a couple pair of compression shorts, and cushion insoles. We sent him several packages after Beast started which included more socks and more compression shorts (black).

Try not to overpack ... keep in mind that you will have to carry this bag around for quite some time, then transfer the contents into the issued bag.

Properly fitting footwear is the best defense against blisters. Make sure they don't slip, or that they're too tight. Once you purchase the low quarters and boots, wear them so your feet get accustomed to them. Take long walks around your neighborhood or wear them to school here and there.

Great post, LSSmith! I definitely agree with the items that you listed!

My cadet packed light and was so glad that he didn't drag along all of the stuff that appeared on numerous R-Day packing lists. I couldn't believe the number of NCs that we saw in line for R-Day with enormous suitcases obviously packed full of stuff. It really makes you stand out. My cadet took a few items but he said he was provided everything he needed.
 
Mentioned above are a few items that former cadets have requested during beast. Can a cadet bring moleskin, blister bandaids and extra socks upon arrival to beast? (It makes sense to have those items on hand before the feet suffer) Or do you advise they request those items well into beast because they would be taken away when the new cadets check in?

Thanks in advance!

Anything that is allowed to be mailed in during Beast is also allowed to be brought on R-Day. Like some people said, don't overpack. You should be able to fit all the useful items in one suitcase if packed correctly.
 
Thanks for the quick reply. Now about those low quarters and boots....Should I order them now? Which ones? From Where? Or do I just show great patience and wait until that info comes to my DS?

Wait for the boot letter ... you will receive the information in plenty of time to purchase and wear them prior to R-day. :smile:
 
It's still a few months, but looking at the R-Day pictures from the past few years it looks like the kids with the duffle bags seemed to do ok.

Just don't do it Air Force Academy style... if you guys remember box boy.
 
You will have the bag you bring for such a short period that it really does not matter. A small backpack or small duffel is fine.
 
Son packed extremely light - two or three gallon ziplock bags inside a small gym duffle - with just what was on the packing list, minus the picture frame; and some extra moleskin and BodyGlove (antichafing stick for runners)- requested it twice more over the summer; it's apparently hard to get there.
 
Allowable Letters during Beast

In term of allowable letters during Beast, can we include comic strips, picture from home, cliped box scores of favorite team from news paper? I was thinking of copying a few pictures to a sheet of paper so he can throw it away when done. Pictures of his dog would sure cheer him up. I know we can't include a full Sports Illustrated magazine, but with the Olympics on this summer - sending a few pages of an article would appear to even go against the "no reading material" rule. Beyond words printed on a white sheet of paper - what else is allowed?
 
I photocopied comic strips and mailed box scores. 2LT says it was never a problem.
 
I would not recommend sending actual photos, but we did print a few silly/happy photos and included them within the body of our letters last summer, and that was just fine.
 
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