NASS - what to take?

M

MMMom

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2011
Messages
160
Besides the obvious, for anyone who has been to NASS, is there anything you wish you had taken with you that you didn't pack? Or anything you packed that you really didn't need?
 
My DS brought a bunch of stuff he didn't need, e.g. powerbars, travel alarm (obviated by a watch or phone with an alarm - and apparently when it's time to get up, the detailers made it eminently clear :) ). I don't think he even needed an athletic T or shorts - I just list them as I figure it's good to bring one of each if there's a problem getting your issued gear. They receive multiple shirts, shorts and a sweatsuit which they wear everyday. All he needed was:
Underwear (7)
Athletic socks (7)
Athletic shorts (1)
Athletic T-shirts (1)
Running shoes (2)
Swim trunks (1)
Polo Shirt (traveled in)
Khaki shorts (traveled in)
Shower flip flops
Towels (2)
Toiletries (bring a razor)
Twin size bed linens and pillow (you need these)
Sports watch
Photo ID (required)
Cell phone and charger
Black garbage bag (bringing home wet, muddy clothes)
Sun block
$100 (for airports, emergency, taxi, etc. - didn't spend money at USNA).

Honestly, I can't remember whether he even needed that many changes of boxers or socks, or the extra running shoes. I think it's just precautionary for days you get completely wet and muddy and may prefer a dry pair of shoes the next day.
By the way, my DS had a blast. He was uber-impressed by his peers, the cadre and the officers/NCOs, and loved meeting kids from all over the country and world. We have family history there and had visited before, but NASS sealed the deal for him and he is PUMPED for Plebe Summer next month. Best of luck!!!
 
Last edited:
Just the sheets. USNA had blankets. The sheets were purchased from Target and came in a compact, drawstring bag (about the size of a football). The pillow he just crammed on top of everything else. He carried on his one piece of luggage without a problem.
 
Awesome and thank you! One question... I swear it said to BRING 10-12 pair of athletic shorts. They provide the shorts?
 
Yep, our letter said the same thing - to bring 10-12 athletic shorts. Maybe NASS does not provide the shorts any longer, which is just fine. DS will pack shorts; he's just thrilled to be selected!
 
MMMom said:
Awesome and thank you! One question... I swear it said to BRING 10-12 pair of athletic shorts. They provide the shorts?
Click to expand...

Don't bring half that stuff, or in some cases, any of it. Our 2011 letter said the same thing, 10-12 shirts, shorts, etc. Pish-posh. Following advice from 2010 NASS folks, my DS didn't bring any of that stuff either, maybe one pair of shorts and a t-shirt just in case - and didn't touch them. I just texted my DS, and he confirmed: he did not wear any of his own stuff while there, just that which he flew there and back in. In fact, he texted "just sneakers and socks." Although I know he is forgetting underwear. But that's it.
 
Last edited:
This is why I LOVE this forum... and HA on forgetting about underwear! Boys...:shake:
 
Hmm that's strange. I just checked the packing list I have printed out and it says 4 pr of athletic shorts, 10-12 pr socks, 10-12 "undergarments":confused:
 
extra

before i went last year i checked out this forum and one thing that came in handy was some laundry detergent. You will have to wear the PT shirt multiple times throughout the week (sweating profusely each time) and also one of the colored shirts twice (the first and last day). Also, we wore the 2 or 3 issued shorts the entire week for everything. That said, it started to stink a bit, so my roommates and i did "laundry" in the sink. (bring a sharpie to label your clothes too!) Some squad leaders actually collected the items and did them for their squad, but otherwise it gets really stinky (evident when everyone descends to King Hall for meals). So if you're a guy and don't mind, then they'll be plenty of others there too, but as a girl, it was kind of nice :smile: (hint, i used an empty mini gatorade bottle as a container)
 
I totally agree with babblinbrooke. Last year I brought Tide packets (the ones that look like pouches for salad dressing or something) so my roommates and I washed our PT shirts in the sink. And don't forget hangers for drying them. Towel bars are limited so we hung tshirts from the blinds and opened the windows. Regarding the number of shorts...I wore none of the ones I brought! They issue three or four pairs and plenty of tshirts, so pack as light as possible. The only "civilian" clothes I needed were for traveling. And I would just sleep in the next day's uniform because it saves time! Make sure you bring your good pair of running shoes plus a dirty, old pair for Sea Trials. I ended up tossing my old ones because they were so sandy and wet afterwards. Basically, don't wear something to Sea Trials that you want to bring home. (You're required to wear those issued sweatpants which most people toss too.) Also, if you're a female with thick curly hair like me, bring gel to keep ponytails/buns from going crazy in that Annapolis humidity!
 
MMMom said:
Awesome and thank you! One question... I swear it said to BRING 10-12 pair of athletic shorts. They provide the shorts?
Click to expand...

Athletic shorts not necessary, unless they're no longer providing those four pairs of NASS branded shorts.

I just brought the packing list they had, and I was fine. Shoes will get nasty on Mock Sea Trials day, so don't bring your absolute best shoes (or bring two pairs).

Label everything. EVERYTHING.

Be careful with the water bottle they issue. The heat can melt them down and subsequent rough handling can break them apart if you aren't careful. Mine died during Mock Sea Trials, I was so sad.
 
is it a good idea to bring a camera? Because I went to STEM last year and the letter encouraged us to bring a camera, but I've heard nothing regarding bringing cameras to NASS.
 
USNFilms said:
is it a good idea to bring a camera? Because I went to STEM last year and the letter encouraged us to bring a camera, but I've heard nothing regarding bringing cameras to NASS.
Click to expand...

Yes. Just don't lose it, and mind the water.
 
Bought my son an inexpensive Kodak Easyshare waterproof camera for Christmas... thought it would come in handy for just these types of adventures. :shake:
 
Note from my Firstie: Learn to deal with being stinky. Doing laundry is fine, but you will be a lot more stinky during Plebe Summer and in various training evolutions at USNA than you ever get during NASS. "If you can still smell the stink, you're not REALLY that dirty."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top