DS left for CIET yesterday morning. Here are a few things he shared, for those of you going in later regiments:
1. He was authorized to check 2 bags on the plane. At least on United, they could be 72 pounds and 115 inches. His were not that big-they fit the regular standards for checked bags. He took the green duffle , his own duffle and a backpack as a carryon. Put brightly colored duct tape all over the OUTSIDE of your bags so you can find them easily on the baggage carousel and also in the pile of them at Ft Knox. Also put a name tag on them, or you have to fill out the ones at the airport to put on them.
2. Upon checking in at the Louisville airport they were issued MRE, but not told when to eat it....as his plane arrived there at noon, we are not sure if he ate it for lunch or if that was their dinner for the day.
3. He was able to text around 10:30 PM. Says they get their phones for 48 hours, to be used during personal time (I am assuming perhaps the time he was texting), but that his was about to die and there are no outlets in his barracks room.
4. He did not have any belongings taken away. Not sure about food, as he had a few snacks for travelling.
5. Make sure you bring that sleeping system that is on the list because you will be sleeping on it in barracks as they are not issuing sheets this year. There are 8 people in his room.
6. I had heard that there is no Laundry Service this year, that there are machines available to wash, but DS didn't know that detail yet.
7. He said there is very little PT on the schedule, that they can PT on their own - IF they have time.
8. As of last night they had not been issued any gear - I am assuming that will be today.
He is supposed to be sending a DETAILED letter telling us about everything....but something tells me it will only be 4 sentences long - that is what he considers a long letter!
1. He was authorized to check 2 bags on the plane. At least on United, they could be 72 pounds and 115 inches. His were not that big-they fit the regular standards for checked bags. He took the green duffle , his own duffle and a backpack as a carryon. Put brightly colored duct tape all over the OUTSIDE of your bags so you can find them easily on the baggage carousel and also in the pile of them at Ft Knox. Also put a name tag on them, or you have to fill out the ones at the airport to put on them.
2. Upon checking in at the Louisville airport they were issued MRE, but not told when to eat it....as his plane arrived there at noon, we are not sure if he ate it for lunch or if that was their dinner for the day.
3. He was able to text around 10:30 PM. Says they get their phones for 48 hours, to be used during personal time (I am assuming perhaps the time he was texting), but that his was about to die and there are no outlets in his barracks room.
4. He did not have any belongings taken away. Not sure about food, as he had a few snacks for travelling.
5. Make sure you bring that sleeping system that is on the list because you will be sleeping on it in barracks as they are not issuing sheets this year. There are 8 people in his room.
6. I had heard that there is no Laundry Service this year, that there are machines available to wash, but DS didn't know that detail yet.
7. He said there is very little PT on the schedule, that they can PT on their own - IF they have time.
8. As of last night they had not been issued any gear - I am assuming that will be today.
He is supposed to be sending a DETAILED letter telling us about everything....but something tells me it will only be 4 sentences long - that is what he considers a long letter!