Beast Packing List 2013

billyb said:
All I can say is Wow! I remember back in the day (before most of you were born) we all only showed up with what was on our backs and that is it. We even got our low quarters and boots on R-day so they weren't broken in. Truth is you will be issued everything you need.
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I don't remember being issue my sense of humor :shake:
 
MemberLG said:
I don't remember being issue my sense of humor :shake:
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And that, as you know, is really what gets you thru trying times. Good friends and a sense of humor are worth more than all the creature comforts in the world.
 
CCUSMA17 said:
Lonestar, the spandex run about $30 (http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=s...d-1/pid-652731/pgid-652728&cp=usns_0328071544) And are normally worn during pt and rucks under shorts/acu's. So pretty much every day. So it's up to you how many you bring, 10 would be helpful but 5 will be fine (you'll end up washing them in your sink at night).
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Thank you! I ended up buying six pairs similar to the ones you linked (they're adidas and considerably cheaper, but I don't see why they won't work just as well). If I have to put some time in at the sink, I guess that's that.

What about socks? I'm far from an expert on the various types of socks, but I've heard you should bring padded ones for boots and moisture wicking ones for other shoes. Could anyone shed some light on that, and maybe give some specific examples of what would be good to bring?

I hate to overload the general population of the forums with all these questions, so I apologize for that, but I'd very much appreciate any help given.
 
I think they issue you 12 boot socks, athletic socks, and dress socks. That should be enough but it says you may want extra. I plan on bringing sock liners, from what I've heard they are very helpful. They socks they issue you will be fine, but if you get regular boot socks with extra padding i believe that is fine (not positive though)
 
I'm slightly confused about the CBT Packing List posted on the admissions portal. How much of this 'recommended' stuff is actually not covered by West Point? For instance, it recommends bringing a razor and shaving cream and a toothbrush and toothpaste, none of which are mentioned on the 'issued items' section. Are things things not provided? If not, that seems to contradict being able to show up with nothing and be fine.
 
CCUSMA17 said:
I think they issue you 12 boot socks, athletic socks, and dress socks. That should be enough but it says you may want extra. I plan on bringing sock liners, from what I've heard they are very helpful. They socks they issue you will be fine, but if you get regular boot socks with extra padding i believe that is fine (not positive though)
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From DS input and others, most do not care for the issue boot socks, and they generally hate the issue dress socks.

One of the earliest requests by mail we received for our 2015 was for more black thorlo uniform socks for the low quarters. Much better padding than issue or normal dress socks. You'll be in your low quarters more than anything else during CBT.

He also prefers the thorlo type boot socks. Won't find them at a sports place, but most surplus & uniform places carry them.

Another thing to keep in mind is that laundry can be intermittent. So over time it's better to have more than you think you need. No need to carry them all up there, just have your family send them a week or so in. Non-contraband like more socks, underwear, toiletries are normally not an issue to receive during CBT. Will you get bugged at mail call? Maybe, but in past years pretty much everyone was smoked at mail call whether you got a letter, a package, or nothing.
 
For what it is worth here is what my DS, 2016 said he is glad he brought; sock liners, compression shorts (even though he didn't think he would use them), zip lock baggies and extra boot socks. His first letter to us was to send him a headlight with a red lens, in fact we sent a few for some of his buddies (still don't know what he wanted it for) but he said it came in handy. He also said that the 6" fan was a life saver and he and his roommates would share it at night until their parents could send them one.
 
If you buy boots and extra hiking socks before you get here, you probably will not need sock liners. You will also be issued dress socks, which in a pinch will work as well as sock liners. I'd suggest saving the money you would spend on sock liners and using it to buy an extra pair or two of rei socks. Save those pairs for the days you are rucking or going out to the field. You can use the issued socks for days spent around usma
 
color- no. They will be under another pair of socks and never seen.
height- yes. you want them to be longer than your actual socks, so calf/almost knee length. otherwise, they will start to bunch up inside the regular sock and cause blisters, which defeats the purpose.

as I said earlier though, you really do not need sock liners
 
I'm basically trying not to spend too much buying things for Beast when the essentials will be issued, so my thoughts were that buying a few pairs of sock liners that I could wear under any of the issued socks would be more efficient than buying additional boot/dress socks.

I've heard the low-quarters (with dress socks) will be worn more than anything, and with the earlier comment about how the issue dress socks were highly disliked, I figured it would be best to get the sock liners to use with them.

Though, obviously, I have never been to Beast. If I'm going about this the wrong way, please let me know!
 
Lone Star said:
I'm basically trying not to spend too much buying things for Beast when the essentials will be issued, so my thoughts were that buying a few pairs of sock liners that I could wear under any of the issued socks would be more efficient than buying additional boot/dress socks.

I've heard the low-quarters (with dress socks) will be worn more than anything, and with the earlier comment about how the issue dress socks were highly disliked, I figured it would be best to get the sock liners to use with them.
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Sock liners are a bit of a pain in most cases. For low quarters I don't know of anyone that fools with them.... I'd just get some decent (thicker) dress socks as the issue are painfully thin.

The issue boot socks are tolerable, but you can get better. Thorlo uniform, smartwool, etc are all recommended by Active duty types and cadets have done well by them.

You are right about one thing, you'll spend 10x more time in low quarters, so if you have limited funds that's where I'd spend it.
 
It's been said many, many times before but remember you have to carry everything you brought plus what you are issued for a 12 hour day. Our DS last year hung the boots over his shoulder, wore the low quarters and had the running shoes plus all of the other gear - multitool, parachute chord, $100 allowed cash, bible, recommended copy of paperwork, 6 inch fan, sock liners, compression shorts.... all stuffed into one of those tiny sports back packs. The kind of backpack that has strings for straps. On R Day, we couldn't believe the size of some of the duffle bags others had in line and were bringing with them. When combined with what they were issued - there was no way they could carry it all. We did mail a package with more gear after the first phone call. Figure out what works best for you and press forward as Tugboat says.
 
UPDATE 2.0

Beast List:

Underwear (lots, comfortable)
Sports Bras (lots, comfortable)
Spandex (lots)
Hair ties, bobby pins, comb & headbands same color as hair
Fan (6inch)
Chapstick with sunscreen
Sunscreen
Gallon& Quart Ziplock bags- 40 each
Journal
Bug spray
Multitool
Address book with stamps and envelopes
Steno pad
Anti chaffing creme
Advil
Band-Aids, Blister Pads, and Foot powder
Hair bands
Loofa
Antibacterial body wash
Shampoo-Conditioner
Thick black sharpie (for labeling your gear)
Q-tips
Lighter
Duct Tape
10 ft of 550-cord
Watch with alarms & light up face
Febreeze and body spray
Biore daily deep pore cleansing cloths
Razor & Shaving cream
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Glasses & security strap
Lint Free rag
Crew socks, dress socks, boot socks (6 Each)
Sock liners (6-10)
ACU nametapes
Civilian Glasses
Address book with stamps and envelopes

Let me know what you think about the number of socks to bring
 
All of this is OK but my son (Class of 2015 and his roommates) told me that some of these things on these long lists are helpful but if you just arrive with the clothes on your back and A PERFECT FITTED BROKEN-IN PAIR OF BOOTS AND SHOES YOU WILL BE JUST FINE.
 
What you need to bring is really up to you. You would be able to show up with nothing and be just find, but I wouldn't recommend it. I would recommend, at the very least, bringing extra socks, underwear, one bar of soap, and one deodorant. Yeah, you'll be able to get stuff from the C-store but you may not always be able to go there. Beast is full of things that take time and going to the C-store is something that isn't necessarily going to happen when you need it (IE if you run out of soap it could be a few days before you have time to go to the C-store).

On that note, I would recommend bringing about $100 in cash. The cadre have more free time than the New Cadets because while you guys are getting briefed and doing tests, we'll be mostly free. Chances are that more often than not your squad leader will go to the C-store during one of those periods where you all are being briefed on something and he/she is just waiting for you guys to finish. It's simpler if you can just tell them what you need, give them cash, and then have them go pick it up for you.

Lastly, unless you receive mail stating that you need to show up in a t-shirt, shorts, and low quarters I recommend arriving in civilian clothes. Casual civilian clothes that you would wear regularly (so long as they're not inappropriate) along with regular shoes. I recommend this because unless you're dressed like a prostitute, no one is going to judge you on what you wear when you show up. One of the first things you do after you leave your parents is change into issued pt shorts, low quarters, and an issued white t-shirt. And that's what you'll wear from that point until you change into White over Gray later. What you actually wear to R-day will probably go in a bag that will most likely get locked up with all your stuff that you're not allowed to have (phone, etc etc etc). Chances are at some point as a plebe you'll be somewhere that you'll wish you had civilian clothes for, and unless you're going to have them mailed once the AY starts, it's nice to have already.


Lone Star said:
I'm slightly confused about the CBT Packing List posted on the admissions portal. How much of this 'recommended' stuff is actually not covered by West Point? For instance, it recommends bringing a razor and shaving cream and a toothbrush and toothpaste, none of which are mentioned on the 'issued items' section. Are things things not provided? If not, that seems to contradict being able to show up with nothing and be fine.
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Lots of things are issued but not all of it is sufficient. For instance, I remember running out of the issued deodorant pretty early in the game. Also, you're not issued an abundant amount of soap so it's nice to have some when the issued stuff runs out (you only get issued a small bar).

BlackKnight2016 said:
It's been said many, many times before but remember you have to carry everything you brought plus what you are issued for a 12 hour day. Our DS last year hung the boots over his shoulder, wore the low quarters and had the running shoes plus all of the other gear - multitool, parachute chord, $100 allowed cash, bible, recommended copy of paperwork, 6 inch fan, sock liners, compression shorts.... all stuffed into one of those tiny sports back packs. The kind of backpack that has strings for straps. On R Day, we couldn't believe the size of some of the duffle bags others had in line and were bringing with them. When combined with what they were issued - there was no way they could carry it all. We did mail a package with more gear after the first phone call. Figure out what works best for you and press forward as Tugboat says.
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You do have to carry everything, but not for long. There's a point before you start going through the process where Cadre screen what the NCs have. At that point, if they have anything they're not supposed to or if they brought huge duffle bags those will be taken and locked away until the end of Beast. They'll get some time to retrieve whatever they need from that bag as well. So you won't necessarily have to carry everything you bring with you.
 
Great advice, TheKnight - thank you very much for sharing it.

Lots of things are issued but not all of it is sufficient. For instance, I remember running out of the issued deodorant pretty early in the game. Also, you're not issued an abundant amount of soap so it's nice to have some when the issued stuff runs out (you only get issued a small bar).
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Not to beat the question to death, but what about things like toothpaste/toothbrush and shaving cream/razors? Those are not on the 'issued' list at all. (Soap and deodorant are on the issued list, though now that you've mentioned quantity I'll be sure to take some of my own.) I'm sure I'll probably have most essential items with me from the one-night stay before R-Day, but I'm not sure if I need to actually pack those types of items with the duration of Beast in mind.

Again, thank you for your input.
 
CCUSMA17 said:
Beast List:

Underwear (lots, comfortable)
Sports Bras (lots, comfortable)
Spandex (lots)
Hair ties, bobby pins, comb & headbands same color as hair
Fan (6inch)
Chapstick with sunscreen
Sunscreen
Gallon& Quart Ziplock bags- 40 each
Journal
Bug spray
Multitool
Address book with stamps and envelopes
Steno pad
Anti chaffing creme
Advil
Band-Aids, Blister Pads, and Foot powder
Hair bands
Loofa
Antibacterial body wash
Shampoo-Conditioner
Thick black sharpie (for labeling your gear)
Q-tips
Lighter
Duct Tape
10 ft of 550-cord
Watch with alarms & light up face
Febreeze and body spray
Biore daily deep pore cleansing cloths
Razor & Shaving cream
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Glasses & security strap
Lint Free rag
Crew socks, dress socks, boot socks (6 Each)
Sock liners (6-10)
ACU nametapes
Civilian Glasses
Address book with stamps and envelopes

Let me know what you think about the number of socks to bring
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what is the best way to carry all this plus your boots and low quarters on R-day? I was just going to bring a backpack but there is no way that will all fit in it.
 
This is your first test. There will always be more stuff that you are suppose to have and want to have than you have room for. Learn to prioritize, economize on space, and come up with alternate means to get what you want/need.
 
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