Official 2016 AFROTC Field Training Thread

What is the one thing you wish you brought but didn't?

What did you wish you prepared for more?

Thanks Derek
 
One thing I wish I didn't bring was a big container of Gold Bond. Bring a small one and if you're out there's 20+ more friends that are willing to share. You should bring an excess of underwear and socks but everything should be what is said on the bag drag list. Bring scented hand sanitizers as it can be a pick me up when you're smelly. I purchased Fox River ABU socks and very good soles for my boots and had zero blisters. Start thinking of flight names of your flights (clever ones would be nice) and think of a prop you can have your family bring down. In my year we had an India Ironmen and they had an Ironman doll as their mascot. We also had Golf Gladiators and they had a foam sword as their mascot.

I wish I didn't have the mentality of getting Field Training over with at the beginning. For many that have Max 3-6 you will have that feeling. Some shake it off once the yelling starts but others back off and shut down like me. In my detachment being moto is discouraged as we're told that's the behavior of a DG hunter. It's not terrible to be a little cocky but know you're limits and overall don't be a downer and don't leave one of your flightmates to dry. Be a good helpful person when no CTA or FTO is watching and when possible making a CTA or FTO laugh.
 
Here are the things you should definitely bring...

-Vitamins
-Band-Aid Blister packs (or moleskin if you prefer that route)
-Cough Drops...like 3 bags...they'll be great when you're eventually sick and others will want to borrow a lot
-If you have the means bring extra socks and PTUs. They'll eventually go missing somehow
-Wear nothing but compression shorts
-Mark your FTM 6 inches up with a sharpie under the tape (remember that every measurement on the bed is 6 in or a multiple of 6in)

Hint: Buy ziploc 2 gallon bags and pack them like you would your drawers. That way you can kind of vacuum seal them and just whip everything out right into the drawers when you get there.

At the end of the day don't go to FT for yourself. Kick ass and go with the mentality of being the best god damn squadron down there!
 
Weird thing, but if you get one of those bike locks that are a 4 inch wide semicircle and require a word code, it works great to put around the throat of your duffel bag to avoid a security violation.

Had a kid in my flight who was threatened with a form 17 if he failed, used the lock and never had a problem.

Other things: stretchy belt (aren't supposed to have it), extra covers, socks for days, and don't bring brand new boots (they will get trashed).
 
Hint: Buy ziploc 2 gallon bags and pack them like you would your drawers. That way you can kind of vacuum seal them and just whip everything out right into the drawers when you get there.

Agree! I would add place any and all liquids in separate ziploc bags. I.E. Shampoo, soap, shaving cream, toothpaste, sun block/screen. If you don't you risk that the lid from the shaving cream will get loose and during the flight spray your clothes.
~ This is what every ADAF officer I know does for their own deployments. My kids are so accustomed to doing this that they know no other way to pack for trips than to place any and all liquids in a ziploc bag.

I would also say that unless things have changed, you will bring that bag home with you until you leave for your Max date. IE if you go to Max 5, than it will be in your home from the time you left school after finals until the day you leave. There is another trick besides the ziploc.
Step 1: Take the uniforms to the dry cleaners. Ask for HEAVY starch.
Step 2: Place boots, binders, etc on the bottom.
Step 3: Take the dry cleaner items and now place the tee shirts on top...fold it like the shirt is tissue paper (ask Mom). The tee shirt will be a barrier and stop the wrinkles on the pants and shirts. Plus, because it is a barrier it will not get wrinkled either.

I will also say to parents, this is the time to think about buying dress blues because when they commission it becomes expensive from a uniform sake. We purchased for our DS 2 prs of dress blues and shirts before he left.
~ He handed back the AFROTC supplied pants and shirts at the beginning of his 300.
~~ Xmas present was his Mess Dress.
~~~ At graduation because we started buying uniforms his spring sophomore year, he was able to hand back all of the uniforms and get that BAS check instead of taking the uniform he wore for his AFROTC career since he was a freshman.
 
Never can go wrong with a big bottle of Gold Bond. Definitely managed to last me all of FT and never got one blister or rash anywhere. Extra underwear, boxers, or compression shorts as well as socks will definitely be a plus for you.
 
Agree! I would add place any and all liquids in separate ziploc bags. I.E. Shampoo, soap, shaving cream, toothpaste, sun block/screen. If you don't you risk that the lid from the shaving cream will get loose and during the flight spray your clothes.
~ This is what every ADAF officer I know does for their own deployments. My kids are so accustomed to doing this that they know no other way to pack for trips than to place any and all liquids in a ziploc bag.

I would also say that unless things have changed, you will bring that bag home with you until you leave for your Max date. IE if you go to Max 5, than it will be in your home from the time you left school after finals until the day you leave. There is another trick besides the ziploc.
Step 1: Take the uniforms to the dry cleaners. Ask for HEAVY starch.
Step 2: Place boots, binders, etc on the bottom.
Step 3: Take the dry cleaner items and now place the tee shirts on top...fold it like the shirt is tissue paper (ask Mom). The tee shirt will be a barrier and stop the wrinkles on the pants and shirts. Plus, because it is a barrier it will not get wrinkled either.

I will also say to parents, this is the time to think about buying dress blues because when they commission it becomes expensive from a uniform sake. We purchased for our DS 2 prs of dress blues and shirts before he left.
~ He handed back the AFROTC supplied pants and shirts at the beginning of his 300.
~~ Xmas present was his Mess Dress.
~~~ At graduation because we started buying uniforms his spring sophomore year, he was able to hand back all of the uniforms and get that BAS check instead of taking the uniform he wore for his AFROTC career since he was a freshman.
Or even easier and this is what I did. I only took my blues items out of the bag and just hung them up until I left. Then I put them in a ziploc bag and left some air in there to act as a cushion. They wont wrinkle if you put them on the top.
 
Just got an email from cadre...HQ AFROTC said we won't be doing a parade at the end of FT, so we won't have to bring our Blues uniform
 
Yeah, I just got the same email. It also said that you should know your max dates by Monday (if I was deciphering it correctly).
 
As awesome as it would be to not have to bring our blues uniform, I doubt that HQ would do that.
 
Officially no blues and no final parade, and if the rumors are true, no MTIs either. See ya'll at Max II!
 
Holy s*** really no blues. A AS300 at my det called this years FT cupcake camp.

See you boys & girls at Max 3!
 
My det hasn't told us yet, is there way to check or am I just stuck sitting and waiting?
 
Parent here...my son is headed to FT this summer. His mother and I (and grandparents) were looking forward to showing him our support by attending graduation. So, my question is, if no graduation ceremony how can we show our support? Will they still allow parents to come for the last day or should we just plan on showing support by writing him letters every day? Please advise.
 
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