New ROTC cadet needs

clarksonarmy said:
Moleskin is something you buy in the first aid or footcare aisle.

Definitely concur on the running shoes. We run 20-30 minutes three times a week, and expect our cadets to run on the days we don't do PT. Shin splints and foot problems can be caused by not having the right shoes. If you can go to a running store and have a knowledgeable salesman help chose the right pair Expect to spend around $120 for a good pair. I personally buy a new pair every year to keep running injuries at bay.
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
kinnem said:
Congrats on joining the Gamecock Battalion! Watch out for the Alpha Co. XO. I hear he can be a bit of a pain! :biggrin: See you at Tally-Ho (the NROTC tailgate) on Parents weekend!

BTW - I would think you could get moleskin in the foot care section of any reputable pharmacy.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Just had orientation, next up move-in day! :)
 
We dropped off Cadet Delahanty with two key items: A bag of quarters for laundry and advice to use his time wisely.

His insight was not to waste precious time doing laundry. Instead he converted the advance on his inheritance into several spray cans of anti-bacterial Febreze and a jar of overpowering eau-de-cologne.

This technique also comes in handy if you do not have time for a girlfriend.
 
We also sent all of out kids with coin jars. This is not so much ROTC, but every freshman aspect and I am one that believes this is smart. Kids will hit the ATM take 20 out to do laundry, order a pizza, buy a soda, and now it is gone by the next a.m.

The one tip I would suggest is for your contracted cadet, do the direct deposit with a bank that is on campus. Kids hit the ATM a lot, and those fees tally up quickly. The 1st semester our DS had his bank account with our bank, (BB&T), never thought about that, just thought if he needed money, I could easily transfer money. Xmas break he opened up an account with the bank that was on his campus because the fees were depleting his account too. This caused an issue with DFAS because he switched and it got lost in the black hole for months.

If you are a USAA member, open an account now. They do not charge ATM fees, and reimburse any fee. Like any other bank he can use his smartphone to deposit checks from you or the grandparents, no need to go to the bank.

I believe as a cadet he can also open one for himself. USAA also has great car insurance rates, and rental insurance rates (when he lives off campus). It may be beneficial to have him carry his own car insurance if possible. Our DS's car insurance for a 2012 Toyota Corolla as a 22 yo full time driver is less than 450 a yr! Our DD is 21, full time driver, 2013 Ford Escape is less than 350 a yr! (VA resident). In 25 yrs. we have never used another car insurance company besides USAA.

Plus, as a USAA member, you become a subscriber. After a certain amount of time and money invested, every Dec. they will send a subscriber refund every Dec. It takes a few yrs., but it is a nice check around Xmas.

Sorry for diverting the thread, but thought this might want to also be placed on new cadets list.

On track, as far as moleskin goes, this is the time you buy the best quality, not the cheapest because one has 4 in a pack for 5 bucks, and the other has 2 for 5 bucks, believing they will go through them quickly...they will, but the more expensive can mean less blisters.

I would also suggest something strange....high quality socks for running. Not the time to skimp between 4 bucks and 7.50.
 
Thanks to all of you for the great suggestions! Fortunately he already has a very good pair of running shoes. He is running several miles a day in preparation for APFT. I will look for a watch. Please keep the helpful suggestions coming!:thumb:
 
A good alarm clock with battery backup (although most dorm power is reliable, power failure is not an excuse) to keep the cadet on time for PT and 0'dark hour.
 
Pima said:
We also sent all of out kids with coin jars. This is not so much ROTC, but every freshman aspect and I am one that believes this is smart.
+1 ... I am finding that, I wish I had a coin jar/holder right now!!

On track, as far as moleskin goes, this is the time you buy the best quality, not the cheapest because one has 4 in a pack for 5 bucks, and the other has 2 for 5 bucks, believing they will go through them quickly...they will, but the more expensive can mean less blisters.
I didn't realize that there was even different quality types of moleskin - what should I look for when buying moleskin?

I would also suggest something strange....high quality socks for running. Not the time to skimp between 4 bucks and 7.50.
This could be debatable - as a runner, I've never gotten high quality socks, just the cheap ones. But then again, with running, it truly does come down to the individual. A lot can be different, person to person. So, see what works for you!
Click to expand...
Comments in blue.
 
If your Cadet hasn't figured out foot care yet, they will. Socks, moleskin, and even a little duct tape are all techniques to keep the puppies happy. They will learn, and a blister or two will be a right of passage for them. Don't lose any sleep obsessing over which brand of moleskin to buy. There are different brands for taking care of existing blisters vs covering a hot spot to avoid a blister. Add into the mix boots that may not fit right, feet that haven't toughened up to road marching, and lack of experience and your Cadet will have some stories to tell about the learning experience some day. It's all part of the game.
 
clarksonarmy said:
If your Cadet hasn't figured out foot care yet, they will. Socks, moleskin, and even a little duct tape are all techniques to keep the puppies happy. They will learn, and a blister or two will be a right of passage for them. Don't lose any sleep obsessing over which brand of moleskin to buy. There are different brands for taking care of existing blisters vs covering a hot spot to avoid a blister. Add into the mix boots that may not fit right, feet that haven't toughened up to road marching, and lack of experience and your Cadet will have some stories to tell about the learning experience some day. It's all part of the game.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more.
 
From my experience, moleskin is not worth it. It is too expensive for a broke college kid like me, and duct tape actually works much better. Plus, what can't you do with duct tape? Moleskin is not as adhesive as duct tape, and the function is the same. I agree with the knife conversation, and ever since I became a cadet, I have worn a watch everywhere.
 
Pima said:
If you are a USAA member, open an account now. They do not charge ATM fees, and reimburse any fee. Like any other bank he can use his smartphone to deposit checks from you or the grandparents, no need to go to the bank.

I believe as a cadet he can also open one for himself. USAA also has great car insurance rates, and rental insurance rates (when he lives off campus). It may be beneficial to have him carry his own car insurance if possible. Our DS's car insurance for a 2012 Toyota Corolla as a 22 yo full time driver is less than 450 a yr! Our DD is 21, full time driver, 2013 Ford Escape is less than 350 a yr! (VA resident). In 25 yrs. we have never used another car insurance company besides USAA.

Plus, as a USAA member, you become a subscriber. After a certain amount of time and money invested, every Dec. they will send a subscriber refund every Dec. It takes a few yrs., but it is a nice check around Xmas.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the tip, Pima. I was pretty excited to hear this, as we currently pay $1419 per year for DS's insurance coverage on a 2000 RAV4 (even with multi-car and good student discount). I did call USAA and found out DS cannot join until he is contracted or on scholarship. However, DH can become a member (former USMC), so I will explore this option further....:thumb:
 
clarksonarmy said:
You've seen too many movies...Won't need starch or polish...would prefer my cadets aren't cutting each others hair. We have a local barber that cuts hair relatively cheap to standard, not sure if it's going to be the same where your cadet is headed. We issue Cadets everything they will need to train. They aren't going off to boot camp (unless they are headed to an SMC), so you don't need to spend a lot to prepare them. A good watch and a small multitool or swiss army knife are nice to have items.

Of course, as always, each Battalion if different. Your Cadet might be headed to the school with the deranged SF Master Sergeant teaching the freshmen, who expects every cadet to have a 12" Kbar strapped to their field gear. Listen to your cadet and you'll know what to get him for Xmas if this is the case.
Click to expand...

Is there a particular multitool you would recommend? We have looked at all sorts (Leatherman, Gerber 600, etc), but I don't know what type might be most useful to a cadet. Any input is appreciated.:smile:
 
NCmom23 said:
Is there a particular multitool you would recommend? We have looked at all sorts (Leatherman, Gerber 600, etc), but I don't know what type might be most useful to a cadet. Any input is appreciated.:smile:
Click to expand...
Unfortunately I do not have a recommendation useful for cadets. I purchased mine for ROTC use, and also for everyday carry. I own a Leatherman Surge w/ customized engravings ($118), 21 tools including scissors - I believe all Leatherman multi tools come with a 25 year warranty; some other brands come with lifetime warranty. You clearly do not have to spend anywhere near that amount. I do know that Leatherman sells some around the $50-70 range. But, all the (limited) information I know about, is on Leatherman.
 
Regards the thoughts on alarms and watches: is one to assume that the cell phone alarms and clocks are not acceptable?
 
JMS said:
Regards the thoughts on alarms and watches: is one to assume that the cell phone alarms and clocks are not acceptable?
Click to expand...

Cellphones are no go at SMCs for freshman. Non SMCs they are mostly ok.
 
My two cents.

Finished my first year of AROTC although I agree with coming prepared, it might be worth while to wait until the end of your first semester before taking the dive into multi-tools, that massive K-Bar and the best eye pro. I remember I was in the same position thinking I needed all sorts of little things and the coolest that, but you do not want to be that cadet.

My experience and the advice from this forum I went into AROTC with the minimum. I had a ironman timex watch (got it sophomore year of high school for cross country and its still working). Being a runner I brought mole skin and duct tape for my dorm room, but also a role in my ruck.

When Labs, STX's and FTX's came around, the battalion had a posted packing list, which included extras such as bungee cords and 500 cord. Recommendations included a small knife or multi-tool.

I came back from winter break, went to the local surplus store and picked up a nice sized CRKT knife and Leatherman Surge. Total cost was about 80$ for the both. As well as a lighter pair of boots since I was on the Ranger Challenge team and the issued boots (which are great for everything but running) were just not necessary.

Bottom line is you should be fine going in having an idea of what you would want, but don't make any decisions until you get there and get settled. I would merely recommend

Ironman Timex Watch-$54-$60
Mole Skin- $7-$10
Duct Tape/ 100mph tape - $6
550 cord - $6-$7

Also what seemed to be scarce, in AROTC and just regular dorm life, was a simple first aid kit.

My suggestions later on in ROTC would be a used CRKT/Buck/Gerber knife and a Leatherman. (haven't had any experience with SOG or others.)
 
As far as knives go I reccomend buying a high quality knife such as a Benchmade or some of the nicer cold steel or SOG knives, its nice to pay a little extra for something durable and that will last you well into your Army career.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top