Reccomended Ccontraband for BCT

84grad19dad

84grad19dad

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Jun 11, 2015
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As an 84 grad sending my DS to BCT all too soon I've been haunting these forums for awhile. I applaud the wonderful memories and advice, however, a couple of issues I recall haven't been addressed (at least I've not seen them).

First, for those whose ears haven't seen sun for a few years--bring a small high spf sunscreen. There were fellow basics whose ears burned sooo bad they cracked open and bled.

Next, moleskin. I have seen this mentioned once i believe but i feel it's worth repeating. One of my biggest issues in BCT was blisters.

Finally, has anyone addressed the constipation issue? As I recall my digestion went into shock and I didn't manage a BM for the better part of a week. Now is the time for the giggles :). When i was successful I felt the result should have been christened with a bottle of champagne as it set sail. I know this issue was shared by most of my fellow basics. I also know that similar stories have been shared with me by 3 sons as part of their experience in a couple of different basic training programs. I strongly encourage all Iday folks to spend considerable effort increasing their fiber intake the few days prior to reporting.

And if the post itself isn't enough, I invite response. Entertaining or serious =-).

On another note I've noticed a few references (usually tongue in cheek) to "back when it was hard". We used the term "whitly'. Meaning we had it tougher last year. In the vein of bohica or fubar. Has this term been lost? Of course back in the brown shoe days....
 
I wondered if it was okay to send our cadet with moleskin -- saved our vacations several times, and sure wanting to keep our basic's feet in good shape.
 
There are cadets called SMOs, Safety Medical Officer, that roam around throughout all of basic. They provide basic medical care including ice packs and blister care at the end of the day. I was also issued a small bottle of sunscreen when I came in for I-day.

They've been doing this for a while, your son/daughter will be taken care of, despite what their letters might say haha ;)

You could probably get away w/ moleskin. The worst thing they can do is take it away until after BCT.
 
AFrpaso is correct. Sunscreen is listed as a "medication" that will be given to basics on I-Day, along with cough drops, Chapstick, Tylenol and a few other things.
 
Please, don't bring anything that is not on your WHAT TO BRING list. Please.

"Pilot to bombardier." For those who might recall the back-to-back outhouse slots
 
I feel as if I was suggesting they bring morphine! I'm glad they include sunscreen now I still encourage you use it. It is a preventative and after the fact is of little use. Especially for those whose hair has protected their ears from sun prior to BCT.

I do hope it is easier for basics to communicate to the cadre when they need help than it was in my day. As noted several places in these forums the cadre try to be as professional as possible, however, they do not have the experience of the MTIs elsewhere. I found it very difficult to get help with my blisters due to this. I also refused to fallout of any run or activity due to them, which, in hindsight was probably a mistake as that would have gotten me the help I needed. There was a stigma associated with being a sick call commando/F-18 pilot. It may sound unimportant to some but I nearly lost my little toe because I didn't get treatment until after A day. Worst case if caught with moleskin in my day would have been some correction/yelling and pushups. And likely a visit later to find out in a functional way if you really needed help. I know I would have gladly done a class set or two for some moleskin.

In general I agree with not deviating from the pack list. I have been through this program(albeit 35 years ago) and have three sons who have completed basic. I have numerous friends who have been thru marine basic, nocs, ocs, ots, army basic, air force basic and others. The one over riding thing about all of them is the intense desire for the basic to succeed. No cadre worth his salt wants a basic to fail. With this in mind fear is the wrong emotion to have impo. You must have a very healthy respect and certainly jump when told. You do not need to fear them. True contraband such as watches or candy or drugs are just simply a mistake. Something like moleskin in your shave kit would only be a 5 minute distraction if found and not likely create any lasting stigma as a dirtbag. Other more serious items could cause significant setbacks. Oh yeah, nearly forgot, as a c2c I was 1st Beast cadre.

I find it interesting that no one has commented on the constipation question. It was by far the most serious point that motivated me to create an account and comment.

These kids are about to embark on what will be the most challenging experience of their young lives. It is often described as being the greatest thing they have ever done that they don't wish to repeat. Certainly applied to me. It is important for them to understand going in that everyone wants them to succeed. The Air Force, supe, classmates, parents, and cadre all strongly want this to be a win for them. None of them took a wrong exit and ended up at Iday. Everyone already knows they are quality young men and women. Knowing this should help move them from fear to anticipation. I know when a basic has someone discussing their commitment with them while in front leaning rest on the side of the assault course, it can be difficult to remember. That cadre really does desire your success and is desperately trying to motivate you in that direction. In hindsight it is much easier to see. I look forward to the stories soon to come and know in my heart that the vast majority will succeed with a bag full of lifetime memories.
 
84grad19dad said:
I find it interesting that no one has commented on the constipation question. It was by far the most serious point that motivated me to create an account and comment.
Click to expand...

Ha ha! I was waiting for comments also. Your experience and the way you described it made me crack up! I don't know what they feed them at BCT but try C-rations or MRE's for an extended period and you will have a similar experience!
 
My kids used to say that they would NEVER want to repeat BCT. Now they add: or UPT. :)

Good luck to all you basics!
 
My DD didn't mention constipation. But then, she ended up getting the flu/bronchitis/vomiting/etc right before BCT2. The big "C" was probably not even on the radar.
 
Ha ha! I was waiting for comments also. YOUR experience and the way you described it made me crack up! I don't know what they feed them at BCT but try C-rations or MRE's for an extended period and you will have a similar experience!

When I did my SERE they were using up the last of the WWII/Korea C rats. I've eaten 50 year old peanut butter out of an OD green can. :)
 
The cadre (at least mine) did not take away moleskin or Band-Aids, and in fact encouraged us to use our own if we had it. The SMO's, while they try to help, are severely undersupplied . They constantly ran out of moleskin, and we had to share bags of ice if we were injured. The cadre for my flight actually went to Walmart on one of their off days and bought us medical supplies. I would highly, highly recommend bringing your own moleskin and treating yourself if possible.

Also, everyone's stomach reacts differently to the stress and food during basic. My roommate was constipated for two weeks. I was most certainly not. :D
 
Do you think I would be okay to bring some eyedrops? They said no OTC meds, wasn't sure if this counted.
 
Medical stuff (blister care, cough drops, band-aids, etc, etc, etc) will all be provided, once the need is noticed.
...in other words, the med techs might not help if they don't realize you need something, so TELL THEM.
 
84grad19dad,

You hit it on the head: they will form some amazing memories and friendships that will last a lifetime (as you well know!)

As for terminology that has "changed" or "gone West" since you were a dink...well, perhaps the most famous YOU would remember from MY class would be:

"You, gazer...getcherchinin!"

No longer used and most of the cadets I've dealt with the past 20 years have no idea what it means.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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