TheDukeOfEarl
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2011
- Messages
- 68
Thanks for the quick and detailed reply Casey. Much obliged.
R Day / Beast "Supplies"??
- Thread starter bama1
- Start date
My son is currently in the Class of 2015 in the middle of finals week.
I asked him about this question. We spent hours earlier this year on this subject and spent a lot of money procuring the items on our extended list. My son said that he would have been OK without anything on the list - he was provided or could get at WP all the things he really needed. However, he said that he would recommend just getting the things on the list provided by WP and nothing more.
Recommendation - do not spend any more time on this subject - just get the things on the WP provided list.
I asked him about this question. We spent hours earlier this year on this subject and spent a lot of money procuring the items on our extended list. My son said that he would have been OK without anything on the list - he was provided or could get at WP all the things he really needed. However, he said that he would recommend just getting the things on the list provided by WP and nothing more.
Recommendation - do not spend any more time on this subject - just get the things on the WP provided list.
I totally agree with BigNick. My son is also class of 2015 and I remember pouring over these posts on the forum for hours as not to miss anything he might need to take or would be beneficial. I can remember my son telling me (after BEAST) that he really didn't need to bring anything extra. USMA provided everything and they also had an occasional opportunity to go to the cade store. Remember this, everything EXTRA that you bring is going to be consolidated with all the items that USMA will issue to you on RDay and stuffed into that big green bag. You may not think you are bringing too many extra items, but on RDay it WILL make a difference in the weight and the amount of room you are going to have in that bag and you will be toting that bag around for hours. Please don't stress too much over bringing items you think you just have to have. You will be issued everything you need. One thing I would suggest is, anything you do bring, place into plastic baggies. My son said it was a life saver when they were transferring their things from their personal bag into the green bag. This way your belongings aren't rolling aroung onthe floor and don't end up in someone else's bag during all the chaos!
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
- 846
Visible Logo's appear to be a problem. Logo's covered by shorts, boots, etc were a non-issue in DS's company/squad last year.
Just remember that any single report you get may vary based on your squad leader, etc. And on R-day you just don't want to stand out. (But will be in either what you wore, or in issued clothing.)
DS has settled on target brand compression shorts, appears as good as underarmor, less expensive, and no logo. We have sent additional at his requests.
Same for black dress & boot socks. The issue socks are probably not as nice as what you'd pick on your own. DS carried just enough for Beast, but asked for more early in the semester.
More useful things:
- Bound write in the rain pocket notebook with addresses, key information. He still uses that.
- Spiral pocket write in the rain tablet (for instructions, directions, exercises)
- Extra pencils & pens. (just a few cheap ones, they get borrowed and lost)
Stuff sent by request during beast-
- small pocket knife in addition to the leatherman. Many times you can't carry the leatherman, but it's useful in the barracks or in your ruck. But you can carry a small pocket knife, which DS requested a week or two into beast
- Face soap (seems acne breakouts are extremely common even for those who did not normally have a problem)
- Body wash- Based on DS input many of the cadets prefer this over issued soap
Not sure I'd carry the 2nd list on R-day, but these were cleared by DS's squad leader to be sent. Just don't send any contraband.
But they don't seem to care about a reasonable amount of reasonable toiletries. (basic face soap, etc)DS's experience was that having the R-day stuff already packaged in zip-locks really helped, and let him do his transfers without running out of time. Don't go too crazy, but small stuff like socks, underwear/shorts, and misc items should be in ziplocks.
Again, you experience may vary. And you can get by with nothing.... but may be more comfortable/prepared with key items from the list. One thing is sure.... don't agonize over the list. Your overall beast experience will be more impactful than having or not having any item on the list.