Ok let's see if we can short circuit some of this for navig8r - the list below dates back to 2007; we took what we felt were the best suggestions from this and the other forum, cut and pasted comments into a word doc and then put together our DS packing list. When DS showed up everything fit in one medium size soft bag (cheap) including the fan - it weight 25 lbs tops. They get overloaded with stuff the first day - so get it in one bag.
There is probably advice on the weekly call home plebes are permitted to make with cell phones - it used to be that only pay phones were used to make calls home during indoc and that is what our DS had to do initially. Now I understand they may let them use a cell phone under the direction/supervision of a DI. We sent him up with a pay-go phone with about $30 on it. When he was finally allowed to use call it worked fine and then we sent up his good phone later.
Current M/N's may want to chime in if some items are unnecessary or no longer permitted. For all of those who see your comments below - my apology in advance for using without permission, but this should help.
Notes from Forums
Do not address your letters as "Plebe Candidate John Smith" until AFTER Indoc. Address them as just "Candidate John Smith" DURING Indoc. They will not become Plebe Candidates until after they complete Indoc. Ya'll trust me on this.
try to stick closely to the list they give. the only thing i brought extra was gold bond, extra socks/underwear, and a small flashlight, and saftey pins, also a big hint is get moist towelets for attempting to keep your hygine up during indoc...
i was happy with only 3 pairs of compression shorts... you can wash them out in your sink...
http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=221739
Rolls of quarters, dimes, and nickels
Stamps
Pre-addressed envelopes and writing paper
Telephone credit card
All your important phone numbers and addresses
Extra pair of eyeglasses (including contact lens wearers)
Alarm Clock - NO CLOCK RADIOS
Lint Brush or masking tape
Pictures of family and girl/boy friend (a visual link with home, although not allowed on desks right away!)
Small pen flash light
Table or Window fan (about 12 inch/oscillating...New York is HOT AND HUMID during the summers, even for Oregonians!)
We suggest that you put small items in zip lock bags so that if the DI asks you to dump out your duffel, only a pile of sealed bags will fall out. You will not have time to chase things that roll down the hallway. Rolled contents in ziplocks by hand to get the air out - also re-use them again for sea year packing.
Ask your Midshipman about his/her need for a state flag. In the past, midshipmen have been required during Parents Weekend to display a flag from their state. You may be able to obtain the flag from the midshipman's high school, from the senator or representative who nominated your midshipman, from your state capitol, or from a local flag store. This is sometimes more difficult than it seems, so you may want to start early.
recommend packing three extra sets of: undershirts, underwear, and white socks. If the inspection drawers are still the same you need three and can simply use those for the inspection drawers and put the others in the non-inspection drawer for daily use. The regs on inspection drawers have changed, but chances are they'll change again prior to the new candidates reporting. another good thing to bring, though you won't use them till after indoc is as many pairs of solid black dress socks as you can, you'll be thankful you did later.
will second that ......throughout all the inspections I’ve had the same 3 pairs of everything tucked away for inspections and then i just threw everything in a bag for inspections and put the three good pairs in the drawers
this year you got docked points if you only had 3 pairs of everything. they want them to be "working" drawers, so i'd suggest at least 5 of everything
Ok, so the skinny is...pack everything on indoc list PLUS 5 more pairs of all the under garments for inspection (not to be used, but just for "show")?
We sent son with a 10" desktop "turbo" fan that fit into his duffle. It worked well he said. A seasoned Mom once told me to pack just the things on the list & send extra socks, etc. so that the box would arrive at the end of Indoc. And she advised to buy the cheap socks/t-shirts as they take a real beating in the beginning. (They do their own laundry during Indoc) Buy the better quality stuff later on.
The bag that you see them carrying all around in the Indoc photos is the one they supply for them to collect their PT gear, new shoes, ect. I understand that the bag they take in with them gets to go through a little inspection, then ends up in their room. I recall they took son's alarm clock out of his bag but gave it back to him after Indoc. Keep in mind, this was two years ago so things may have changed on that front.
bring a power strip...
I forgot to mention that your son will probably need a "Swiffer mop" and the swiffer wet cloths -- Not the wet mop just the regular wet cloths. This is invaluable for inspections. The command inspections are "TOUGH" nothing slips by. Has he told you he does not sleep in his bed? Only on top. To make a regulation bunk takes 2+ hours. They sleep on top all four years. My daughter asked for a sleeping sheet when we came down for parents weekend. She also wanted a roll of duck tape (to secure the bunk), and her own iron.
baxted can tell you all about going out at 6:30 a.m. to find a CVS in Bayside and purchasing their entire supply of socks.
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) but its pretty bad in the companies with no A/C. most guys that brought them brought small portable models, just enough to get some air flow. handles duct taped onto the boxes work well, and remember to put your name on it as well.
