R Day / Beast "Supplies"??

bama1

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2010
Messages
9
I've been assembling a list of supplies for my son to take to R Day / Beast from this forum and the Facebook discussion and trying to define what he needs without going overboard. It may not matter at all but what type of wrist watch is preferrable?....an analog dial type face or a digital display watch?
This is the list I have accumulated. Any comments?
Leatherman tool
Compression shorts (black or white???)
Electric razor
Wrist watch ??? question above????
Alarm clock - battery operated or wind-up
Mini Mag Light & extra batteries
Headlamp w/red light option if possible???
Address book - prefilled
Postage stamps
Sharpie
8 x 10 frame - plastic not glass - various photos or collage
Disposable lighter
Chapstick
Small roll of sand color duct tape
Lengths of 550 parachute cord
Band aids, blister pads, moleskin, anti-friction gel
Gold Bond foot powder
Fine grade sand paper
Extra all-white crew socks
Hygiene products - toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner combo
Extra boot socks (military)
Black socks for low quarters
Thin, wicking sock liners for wear under dress socks and/or boot socks
Running shoes
Boots - Belleville 390DES
Shoes - Bates black low-quarter service shoes
Glasses
Glasses security strap(s)
Contacts
Pencils/Pens
Religious material - Bible
Passport - possibly bring to him on Acceptance Day
Sports Equipment for Corps Squad screening
Travel receipts
Paperwork (Dental x-rays, immunization forms, bank form, etc.)
Social security card (USMA admissions site says good copy is acceptable)
Driver's license
Cash - less than $100
Credit Card
Above packed in 1 or 2 gallon ziploc bags - with the exception of boots/shoes
Pre-paid phone card
R-Day Parking Pass
Cell phone???- bring on Acceptance Day????

Any comments or responses to the ????? items.
Thanks. Input is appreciated.
 
Here is a quote from Deb Dalton, Parent Communications Liason who is the authority on all things for parents to do and bring.

Deb Dalton
If its not on the list, don't bring it - everything else you bring with you will be put in a bag that you won't see it until after CBT is completed, but you will have to carry it all day on R-Day. Everything else you need will be provided for you. Optional items to bring are sock-liners, black sharpie pens, lighters, duct tape, blister band-aids, a flashlight, an accordian file to keep important papers, a sports watch with several alarms, and a Leatherman.
 
Let your son ultimately decide what to bring. He can go on the facebook group and make a decision.
EVERYTHING they bring, they will lug around all day along with the gear they get. The pile only gets bigger.
A 24" duffle bag is big enough. If it doesn't all fit in there (excluding boots) then they have too much.
Watch - I suggest they get a cheap Timex Sport watch for about $25.00. digitial with alarms. Nothing fancy.
Don't worry about the socks. sock liners may be helpful but not necessary.
Stuff like the headlamp, 550 cord etc. all optional. Most won't bring it and they can get along fine without it.
Leatherman or Gerber is nice though.
If they have them wear the low quarters then they can tie the boots to the outside of the duffle bag. Running shoes - in the bag.
My daughter put all her paperwork in a folder and carried it in her hand (not in the bag). She told me later it was a great time saver.
Forget the cell phone and passport and contacts. That can come on A-Day.
Doesn't need a credit card - unless he goes AWOL and needs get away money :wink:
Toiletries - guys don't need shampoo. don't bring full size bottles of anything- they get heavy. they will have an opportunitiy to visit the C-Store and buy what they like.
If it's not on the list - don't bring.
Females should definitely bring their own undergarments - sports bras and underwear. Also they should bring their own sanitary items and pack extra. Some find their period disappears and others get heavier. Females also should bring their own hair care items.
Prescriptions drugs in a separate zip loc bag. No OTC drugs.
No rolling suitcases or rolling duffles!!
 
Let your son ultimately decide what to bring. He can go on the facebook group and make a decision.
EVERYTHING they bring, they will lug around all day along with the gear they get. The pile only gets bigger.
A 24" duffle bag is big enough. If it doesn't all fit in there (excluding boots) then they have too much.
Watch - I suggest they get a cheap Timex Sport watch for about $25.00. digitial with alarms. Nothing fancy.
Don't worry about the socks. sock liners may be helpful but not necessary.
Stuff like the headlamp, 550 cord etc. all optional. Most won't bring it and they can get along fine without it.
Leatherman or Gerber is nice though.
If they have them wear the low quarters then they can tie the boots to the outside of the duffle bag. Running shoes - in the bag.
My daughter put all her paperwork in a folder and carried it in her hand (not in the bag). She told me later it was a great time saver.
Forget the cell phone and passport and contacts. That can come on A-Day.
Doesn't need a credit card - unless he goes AWOL and needs get away money :wink:
Toiletries - guys don't need shampoo. don't bring full size bottles of anything- they get heavy. they will have an opportunitiy to visit the C-Store and buy what they like.
If it's not on the list - don't bring.
Females should definitely bring their own undergarments - sports bras and underwear. Also they should bring their own sanitary items and pack extra. Some find their period disappears and others get heavier. Females also should bring their own hair care items.
Prescriptions drugs in a separate zip loc bag. No OTC drugs.
No rolling suitcases or rolling duffles!!

A good watch recommendation: G-shock from Casio. The US Navy ( I know) SEALs get issued them. cheap, has a good green light at night and many features and takes a beating. For those who need it all. The Suunto Wrist Top Computer w/ GPS. Just out, this has it all from built in GPS, altimeter, barometer, compass, records you speed and distance in walking, memory points, etc. More then most will need at USMA, but good for years to come in the field. pricey at about $600
 
Supplies

Is there an official "supply list"? If so, where?
 
To all the moms of girls.
Do not buy expensive brand new sports bras. I made that mistake last year just to find out that all of the laundry gets collected in bags and boiled to death for sanitation instead of using detergent, therefore ruining the elastic of the brand new $65 a piece items. And that is for the ones that did not get lost! At the end of basic she only had two left that had not disappeared. Don't buy expensive high quality briefs either. They get so filthy and shrink down to Barbie size that the girls throw them away right after basic when they can return to preferred style and fit. Bring the good stuff for acceptance day parade, at which time they will also receive the privilege of doing their own laundry.
To all parents.
Don't pack leatherman tools. What the cadets need will be provided. Tools like that get confiscated at airport security, and there is not enough luggage for a check bag. The last thing you want is for your Academy student to be detained by security.
Everything they bring will remain in their left hand along with everything they get issued. That is for the entire day whether standing or walking. It does not matter whether it is a backpack or has wheels. My girl had many blisters, which peeled open by the end of the day. Had there been a trash-can close by she would have pitched most of what she had brought.
The Armed Forces have a lot of experience in what their soldiers need and will issue accordingly. Personal stuff gets stored and many times misplaced by the time the cadets have earned the privilege to be in possession of those items again.
You will suffer so much from 'baby withdrawal', that you will take every opportunity to visit, and bring stuff. You also will pray to God not to let the US Postal System fail, so that you can send supplies and goodies during the entire first year. Good luck to the class of 2014!
 
To all parents.
Don't pack leatherman tools. What the cadets need will be provided. Tools like that get confiscated at airport security, and there is not enough luggage for a check bag. The last thing you want is for your Academy student to be detained by security.

Mailing it to the address you are provided prior to R-Day is the usual way of bringing a leatherman unless you're driving.
 
re: watch

for what it's worth, don't spend a lot for a watch during beast -- my son went through 2 -- the really nice one we bought w/ the bells and whistles, which was smashed w/in a few days of the second half of beast, and a cheap replica, which bought the farm about a week after we sent it -- lesson learned -- timex makes a great ironman w/ multiple alarms, stop watch and a night feature for about $35 on sale (kohl's coupons make them really cheap) :)
 
Belleville 390DES

Is this the official approved boot? The boot letter is not up on the portal yet.
 
*Females ONLY*

Females - I mentioned a few things above - like bringing your own sports bras etc.

If you are on or considering birth control during beast then bring it. They will not take it away from you and yes it is permitted. There is a gyn care available at West Point and you may indeed take advantage of it if you need it.
If you are not on birth control now or wish to change your birth control and wish to start before beast then I suggest you start now so your body will have time to adjust.
These days there are many options available the the benefits (regular, lighter periods, fewer cramps etc) can be a real plus.

Male New Cadets and Dads - calm down. The reason why many female cadets take "birth control" is NOT for "birth control".
 
anybody heard anything about compression shorts? i've read places that they are good to bring!

AF any suggestions? Color?
 
anybody heard anything about compression shorts? i've read places that they are good to bring!

AF any suggestions? Color?

I brought some pairs of black compression shorts and they worked pretty well. I still refuse to wear the issued underwear. :biggrin:
 
Underwear was a topic of discussion at a recent admissions "brief"ing. The RC of the day said, re wearing the issued underwear and supporter, it was the only time that he recommend a plebe disobey orders.
 
I have another question. . .Electric razors. Now I admit I'm not totally up-to-date with everything that is "guy stuff" but this one puzzles me. Where would they be able to plug them in while in the hills (e.g., woods) of upstate New York? If these guys plug in their chargers or the razors all at approximately the same time, lights are going to dim from Nyack to Newburgh!
 
I have another question. . .Electric razors. Now I admit I'm not totally up-to-date with everything that is "guy stuff" but this one puzzles me. Where would they be able to plug them in while in the hills (e.g., woods) of upstate New York? If these guys plug in their chargers or the razors all at approximately the same time, lights are going to dim from Nyack to Newburgh!

Electric razors can last days without charging so as long as you keep it charged while you're in your room, you will be fine when you go to the field for a few days. Most people who brought electric razors also had a couple of disposable spares just in case.
 
Underwear was a topic of discussion at a recent admissions "brief"ing. The RC of the day said, re wearing the issued underwear and supporter, it was the only time that he recommend a plebe disobey orders.
ROFL
This applies to females too. especially females. The Army will issue briefs to females (grannie panties) - No offense Grannie :wink: - and they will NOT fit. Along with sports bras pack underwear just make sure they are white. cotton is best and pack ALOT. You will want 15-20 pairs. I am not exaggerating. Pack them in ziploc bags on R-Day and you are good to go. You will end up washing your 'fine lingerie' in the sink because if you send them out they may not come back for weeks. Also the laundry does not use detergent - they "sterilize". All your whites will turn gray. Hence the suggesting to buy cheap sports bras and undies. No Victoria's Secret - save that for the school year.
Reminds me - my daughter took a smal sample bottle (2-3 oz) of liquid laundry detergent. She used it to wash her undies in the sink.
 
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