What to bring??!

croc92

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
78
So as we are almost 4 month from R-day.. :biggrin: I've started to make lists of what to bring!

Could anyone help me know what additional things are needed when the Ac year starts? My parents are coming out for A-day and i want to pack a bag for them to bring out when the come.

School supplies, extra stuff, any ideas?

Thanks!

Croc
 
When they come out you'll want your cell phone, iPod, TI-83, non-issue type underwear, and some casual clothes for your pass weekends. School supplies, etc can be bought at the c store or the PX.
 
Packing a bag for your parents to bring is a good idea. Have them bring you some civies - in case you take a pass Labor Day weekend.
Also they can bring your iPod, cell phone etc., toiletries that you like and other personal items.
You can get school supplies on A-day but if you use a certain pen or pencil etc pack that as well. If possible your parents can bring you a fan and also a plastic container for *boodle*.
 
Will they need their calculators earlier if they plan on taking validation tests? Can they take them on R-Day for this reason, or not?

I know you can send care packages during Plebe Summer to the Naval Academy, but I think I read somewhere that you cannot send care packages to West Point, during BEAST - is this correct? What about regular letters?

My son has just received an appointment to USNA as well as USMA, and so now he is in the blessed position of having to make a tough decision - both have appealing career options, so hopefully his upcoming overnight visits will help him decide. The similarities and differences are all very interesting - certainly to me!
 
Every cadet takes validation tests and no calculators are allowed.

NO care packages during Beast! They feed them 4,000 calories a day. You are free to send letters and cards, newspaper articles etc. If necessary their cadre will permit you to mail them something they need.

FaithfulMom - talk to mom3boys, her son had the same decision to make!
Congratulations!
 
USMA cadets are a little less pampered :rolleyes: and have to live on just cards and letters and short phone calls for 6 weeks. However, it all ends with Aday and a chance to stock up on boodle. While USNA cadets get care packages, USMA cadets get to fire big guns, rappel off cliffs, and throw hand grenades. We parents make up for it throughout the academic year and make sure we send plenty of boodle; our parent clubs send boodle to everyone from the state (am pretty sure USNA parents do this too).
 
Just bring hygene products on R-Day. School supplies are better off being bought or brought on A-Day weekend. Some things like fans for the rooms school supplies can all the bought at the Cadet Store.

our parent clubs send boodle to everyone from the state

Indeed they do. :thumb:
 
The PX has a run on fans on A day; however, if your parents are coming, they likely drive past a Wal-Mart or other such place where they will be so happy to pick one up for you! My son sent a long list and we picked up many things prior to seeing him. If you want to throw a fan into the bag your parents are bringing, you can. Remember that you will be in a room with either one or two others, so you will divvy up who gets the fan, ironing board, etc.

Glad you got your bag, AF!
 
so add anything if i missed it! sorry i'm a list guy! haha

Room fan
couple pairs of civies
calculator
snacks aka boodle? (i have no clue :biggrin:)

comment if you think it needs anything else!
 
so add anything if i missed it! sorry i'm a list guy! haha

Room fan
couple pairs of civies
calculator
snacks aka boodle? (i have no clue :biggrin:)

comment if you think it needs anything else!

I recommend those big square fans to put in the window (not a small table one although having both helps). And don't forget toe boodle box!

A coffee maker or hot plate.

Desk supplies (things to put pencils and all other school supplies in that will make your desk neater)

Utensils. That is the one thing I didn't get and still haven't got that I wish I had. Things like plastic tupperware and maybe a knife and fork will help a lot when you want to save food. I'm pretty sure all companies have a public microwave if you want to store food short term.

Any other thing you left home like your camera, ipod, ear phones, movies, etc.

Of course you don't really need all that but those are just suggestions on things you'll eventually wish you had with you. :thumb:
 
Besides the list posted above, what other suggestions do you have?

I read that our son should bring moleskin, band-aids, duct tape, a lighter and a few other things for Beast. Is that true?

Plus, what kind of boodle seems to be popular? Will candy bars melt? Do the cadets trade? I remember playing poker for m & m's and skittles! My son already told me I'd better bring cookie dough on A-day! Where do you pack that on the plane?
 
Besides the list posted above, what other suggestions do you have?

I read that our son should bring moleskin, band-aids, duct tape, a lighter and a few other things for Beast. Is that true?

Plus, what kind of boodle seems to be popular? Will candy bars melt? Do the cadets trade? I remember playing poker for m & m's and skittles! My son already told me I'd better bring cookie dough on A-day! Where do you pack that on the plane?

Yes, all that stuff is good. Here is a good list I recommend.

""Lighter
Leatherman
Sports Bras (For Women)
Underwear (For Women)
Compression Shorts
Paperwork (Dental X-Rays, immunization form, bank form, etc.)
Social Security Card
Drivers License
Cash (less than $100)
Credit Card
Ponytail Holders (about 40)
Metal Hair Clip Things (think they are called barrets)
Personal Hygiene Products (14 day supply)
Broken-in Black Low Quarteres
Boots
Running Shoes
Cell Phone
Glasses
Glasses Security Strap
Contacts
Framed Picture *
Boot Socks
Deoderant
Shampoo/Conditioner Combo
Perscription Meds
Address Book w/ phone numbers
Pencils/Pens
Flashlight (Mini Mag-Lite)
Blister Band-Aids
Watch*
Electric Razor*
Religious Reading Material*
Passport* (might be nice to mail after BEAST)
Sports Equipment For Corps Squad Screening*
Alarm Clock*
Travel Reciepts
R-Day Parking Pass
Prepaid Phone Card
The popular boodle would depend on your son's taste.
Zip Lock Bags (to waterproof your things because it rains a lot and to make moving stuff from the civilian bag to the issued bag faster)

I would also bring insoles for the running shoes and boots. A flashlight with red lens that attaches to things would also be helpful. Moleskin would also help since you'll most likely get blisters. I also brought 550 cord and duct tape but I never really needed it except for a spirit mission. Other than that, the list is pretty good. I used a similar one to that and brought everything on it.

Popular boodle? This ones simple: just ask your son what his favorite snacks are! I haven't seen trading going on but people do share what they have when someone runs out. Ramen Noodles or oatmeal are good (assuming he likes them) for when the work flow gets heavy so your son can have something close to a real meal and not have to leave losing homework time to the Mess Hall. (or in case he sleeps through a meal which happens sometimes on weekends). Skittles, starbursts and chocolate are all popular candy and I haven't had any problems with any of it melting. Find stuff that will last him a while because boodle can disspear pretty quickly. :biggrin:
 
If they don't have their cell phones during Beast, what do they use to make those few short phone calls home?

What size "boodle" box is appropriate?
 
They use their cadre's cell phones. Which brings up another point to parents - if you see a weird number on your caller id during beast - answer the phone!!

Any plastic container about 12 x 18 x 6" or so is good. You can get them at the Px but then tend to run out during A-day weekend.
 
Yes, all that stuff is good. Here is a good list I recommend.

""Lighter
Leatherman
Sports Bras (For Women)
Underwear (For Women)
Compression Shorts
Paperwork (Dental X-Rays, immunization form, bank form, etc.)
Social Security Card
Drivers License
Cash (less than $100)
Credit Card
Ponytail Holders (about 40)
Metal Hair Clip Things (think they are called barrets)
Personal Hygiene Products (14 day supply)
Broken-in Black Low Quarteres
Boots
Running Shoes
Cell Phone
Glasses
Glasses Security Strap
Contacts
Framed Picture *
Boot Socks
Deoderant
Shampoo/Conditioner Combo
Perscription Meds
Address Book w/ phone numbers
Pencils/Pens
Flashlight (Mini Mag-Lite)
Blister Band-Aids
Watch*
Electric Razor*
Religious Reading Material*
Passport* (might be nice to mail after BEAST)
Sports Equipment For Corps Squad Screening*
Alarm Clock*
Travel Reciepts
R-Day Parking Pass
Prepaid Phone Card
The popular boodle would depend on your son's taste.
Zip Lock Bags (to waterproof your things because it rains a lot and to make moving stuff from the civilian bag to the issued bag faster)

I would also bring insoles for the running shoes and boots. A flashlight with red lens that attaches to things would also be helpful. Moleskin would also help since you'll most likely get blisters. I also brought 550 cord and duct tape but I never really needed it except for a spirit mission. Other than that, the list is pretty good. I used a similar one to that and brought everything on it.

Popular boodle? This ones simple: just ask your son what his favorite snacks are! I haven't seen trading going on but people do share what they have when someone runs out. Ramen Noodles or oatmeal are good (assuming he likes them) for when the work flow gets heavy so your son can have something close to a real meal and not have to leave losing homework time to the Mess Hall. (or in case he sleeps through a meal which happens sometimes on weekends). Skittles, starbursts and chocolate are all popular candy and I haven't had any problems with any of it melting. Find stuff that will last him a while because boodle can disspear pretty quickly. :biggrin:

Great list, thank you!!

They use their cadre's cell phones. Which brings up another point to parents - if you see a weird number on your caller id during beast - answer the phone!!

Any plastic container about 12 x 18 x 6" or so is good. You can get them at the Px but then tend to run out during A-day weekend.

Thank you for the advice! Where do they store their 'Boodle Box'?
 
what sort of school supplies are needed?

And room organization stuff?

ideas? lol


Thanks!
 
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