Stocking Stuffers for the AROTC Cadet

DougBetsy

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On another thread I read this
The OC Josh said:
...you will probably find there are a few things you want that you aren't issued. (Black Ducktape, ranger beads, knee pads if you're in the cold weather.)

As a mom, I had an A-ha! Stocking stuffers. What else could my son use?

And, if you have time, please educate me on the purpose of the items. For example, I have no idea why a cadet would want black duct tape, but I'll get some. And, what are ranger beads? :confused: Lastly, how do knee pads help in cold weather??

Signed,
clueless mom
 
Excellent thread topic, even if the start of the official holiday shopping season shouldn't be starting so early.

Knowing that the unit generally supplies the things that you "need", knowing those little things that make the experience that much better would be nice.
 
There are always lots of great stocking stuffers for any ROTC cadet.

SHOE POLISH
Dress socks
Wool socks
running socks
V neck white tees
Tan tees
Tide to go pens
Frogs (they lose those buggers all the time)
Travel sewing kit
Brasso for the belt buckles
Spare name tags for the Class A's (they sell them on websites)
Iron Man watch

I am sure people can add to it, but those are the things we constantly need to replace for our DS.
 
ranger beads are a set of small plastic beads on a string. the cadets use the beads to keep track of their pace count when they are doing land navigations. They usually move a bead after every 100 meters of distance. Not essential, but worth "cool points" to have a set hanging off your Load Bearing Vest (LBV).

We issue elbow and knee pads to our cadets. When you halt while moving in the woods it's practice to take a knee or get in the prone position. If the ground is wet, you quickly end up with wet pants, which tend to make you cold in cold weather. wouldn't recomment buying knee pads for your cadet though.

Duct tape is used for many things, from securing the ends of the straps on your ruck and LBV, to providing a place to mark your canteen and other equipment, since we don't write our name directly on the issued equipment.

Here are some other ideas:

a good headlamp or flashlight
a good pair of socks (Thorlos) Army issue socks are OK, but there are better.
a boys scout compass (Silva) Not a big fan of the Army issue lensatic compass
Box of zip lock baggies (to keep things dry when out in the weather)

http://www.uscav.com/
http://www.rangerjoes.com/
http://www.bradleyssurplus.com/

Here are three stores that carry the stuff Cadets love to spend that stipend check on. Bradleys is the store outside of Drum, and the owner, Bill McKinney is an alum of the Golden Knight Battalion, and a supporter of what we do at Clarkson.

Hope that helps.
 
Shoe polish???
Haven't seen a cadet polish shoes in the six years I've been here. Gotta love our brethren in blue.
 
Pima,
What in the world is a Frog? :confused:

When you pin insignia (or a nametag) on your uniform, the frog is the metallic holder worn on the inside/underside of the shirt that stops it from coming out.
 
I guess you don't have dining ins or outs. Or do they just wear corframs?

If they wear corframs, no need for polish...give them a jar of windex instead.
 
Well since army kids actually go out and get dirty often, think field-oriented.

Regular folding knife, like a SOG or something similar.
OD green tape (100 mph tape)
ATS tactical admin pouch
Magpul magazine pull loops
Viking tactics riggers belt
Surefire LED Executive Defender flashlight
Hoppe's Boresnake in .22 or .223
Pack of little LED keychain lights
Aviators gloves
 
And, if you have time, please educate me on the purpose of the items. For example, I have no idea why a cadet would want black duct tape, but I'll get some. And, what are ranger beads? :confused: Lastly, how do knee pads help in cold weather??

Ranger beads are super helpful for land navigation. Like clarkson said, you use them to keep track of how far you've gone. Not necessary, but helpful.
Duct Tape(Black or Dark Green)(OD green tape (100 mph tape)) is just useful because it's duct tape. On your ruck(backpack) and LBE there are always things that need to be taped down.

I like scout's suggestion of a folding knife. I need to get one.

Knee pads help because when you're kneeling in the snow/cold, you're body doesn't actually have contact with the ground. We haven't been issued them yet, but if clarkson issues them, we might get them later on. Might hold off on them.
 
Haircuts -
Sport Clips has a 'season pass' haircut deal if there is one in the area.
(6 pampered cuts for the price of 6 basic cuts)

Sport Clips is military friendly, supports VFW's Operation Up-link and the Help a Hero program.


Knives-
For $60 the Columbia River M16 is a great little knife. And the flipper/opener/do-dad is fun to practice.
 
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I'm not in ROTC, but since I'm a cadet in Civil Air Patrol, the USAF Auxiliary, I can probably help you decipher the hidden meaning of some of these items.

Black duct tape-probably the first thing I put in my 72 hour survival equipment, this can be used to fix just about anything. Busted boot? Done that before, and yes, it does work. Ponco, tent, uniform ripped? Duct tape can fix that. Need to make a natural shelter? Duct tape can help hold the wood together. The list goes on and on, but you get the idea. This is a VITAL supply.

Ranger beads-These are used for navigation. When you move 100 meters with a pace count, you slide one bead up, thereby keeping your tally. When you hit 1,000, you advance a different color bead to mark that. It takes a lot of the memory work out of navigation :)
 
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