Ultimate CBT Packing List and Some Tips

JuiceBox said:
Current plebe here.
This is what I brought to R-Day. I did not feel like I was missing anything important. At the very end of this list you will find some stuff that would have been nice to have, but not what I considered to be a “must have.”
  • DD Form 93
  • Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate
  • Completed cadet finance papers
  • Wallet
    • Photo ID
    • $100 cash and debit card
  • Glasses and cases (if you wear any)
  • Watch (A cheap Casio watch is perfect, like the F-91W)
  • Phone
  • Phone charger w/ cable
  • Portable charger and cable
  • 50-60L personal bag. Our issued bags (the green “US” bags, which are called flight bags, are about 60L, but they will have issued items, so you will NOT be able to utilize the full 60L for the stuff you bought. Though you technically only have 60 seconds to transfer your stuff from your personal bag, if you don’t finish, you may get additional time if your cadre are good people on the inside. Cadre are still people and were in your shoes just two years ago).
  • Boots (Garmont T8 NFS)
  • Running shoes
  • Low quarters (matte black leather oxford-style shoes without cap toe)
  • Gallon zip-loc bags (to pack stuff like socks and underwear for easy transfer into the flight bag. Pack extra zip-loc bags because they are occasionally useful during CBT).
  • Black socks (can be used as both boot socks and dress socks)
    • Purchased 9
    • I was issued plenty of green boot socks and black dress socks, but not many white PT socks that actually fit me. Fit is important because if you can’t keep them motivated (pulled as far up your leg as possible), you will get yelled at.
  • Black or gray underwear
    • Nobody checks, so if some other color is cheaper, buy that.
    • Highly recommend packing at the VERY LEAST 12 pairs but preferably 18 pairs because you are NOT guaranteed to get any laundry done AND even if you do, it may get lost.
    • Hanes moisture-wicking underwear are great and cheap on Amazon
  • Deodorant
    • I recommend not getting gel deodorant because you will bring some when you're out in the field, which will stay in your rucksack. It could get very hot, so the gel may very well melt and / or explode.
  • Soap (3) and soap box
  • Razors
    • I recommend getting a common gillette razor with handle and replaceable razors. Space efficient, and if you run out, you can probably buy more razors at the Cadet / Academy store for your handle.
  • Moisturizing cream
  • Face wash
  • Toothbrush and case
    • Do NOT forget a case.
  • Tooth paste (2)
  • Chapstick
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Sunscreen (some may be issued to you)
  • Bug repellent cream (some may be issued, but if you want to buy some, buy cream)
  • Foot powder (some may be issued to you)
  • Band-aids (and some kind of blister relief pads or molskin, if you are susceptible to them)
  • Baby wipes (2 packs of 100. The costco / kirkland ones are the best because they are super space efficient).
  • Multi-tool (must buy)
  • Lighter (not the most useful item, but nice to have when you actually need it. Others in your platoon will have one though).
  • Shoe shining kit (I would recommend so that you aren’t forced to use a battle buddy’s kit)
  • Headlamp (extremely optional b/c we were issued them last June)
  • Tape (3 packs of 2 black flat rolls. Look for flat rolls of tape on amazon. This stuff is not only amazing, but actually extremely useful. You will be in the field and eventually, you or someone else will need tape. These can easily fit in your ACU pockets or in your FLC grenade pouches. Absolute must buy).
  • Rite in the rain hand-sized book and pen
    • I would highly recommend because it will rain eventually and you will most certainly get wet.
  • Pencils (2) and pens (2) (You will get some pens anyway. It’s nice to have little things from home, though).
  • Envelopes and stamps (20 of each. You will be issued some but if you get a lot of letters, you may run out).
What would have been nice:
  • US Army face paint kit
    • Black, green, brown, and dark gray are the colors that I remember being allowed to use.
    • A mirror to apply the paint
  • Some kind of long-lasting body spray. Technically, you are not allowed things that spray in order to apply, but nobody actually checks for that and some cheap cologne/body spray is sold at the C store, which you may buy. It just sucks to stink almost all the time.
  • BLACK gloves for shooting and field stuff. The ones we are issued suck because they’re all leather and clunky, but they’re really not THAT bad.
  • Photos of family and friends. CBT is easy, just do as you're told. The real hard part is being away from home and isolated from the rest of the world, especially if CBT will be your first time away from home. You have a lot of people counting on you.
  • Addresses of family and friends. Preferably, you will give them your P.O Box and they will write letters, but the first week or so may feel very isolating and dehumanizing. You may or may not have free time during the first half of CBT (up to your platoon’s leadership), but eventually you will be in your room doing nothing. Write and send out letters for fun.
  • Phone numbers of family and friends. You might be able to make a short phone call a few times during CBT. Not that I didn’t want to call my mom (because I did, and she was mortified when they left me at Ike Hall, according to my family), but her phone number was the only one I could remember. You don’t want to have the opportunity to call a loved one to be taken away because you forgot to write down phone numbers.
  • Small things from home that make you happy.
Tips for CBT:
  • I saw a lot of people asking about running in general. You will run a lot, but they will not be at very fast paces, however, they will suck if you did not run at all before CBT. As a (humbly) very good runner throughout high school, I recommend building up to being able to run 5 miles at a 9:00 minute pace. You will not run this far during the beast (2-3 miles max run, which may depend on your ability group), but you will ruck distances longer than this. You need to build the mental grit of doing nothing but moving for extended periods of time, as well as cardio. Increase mileage by 10% each week. Run at least 3 times a week and stay consistent. Running everyday is not very useful and could lead to injury. Rucking is also not good for your body, so don’t ruck before CBT. This is contradictory to what many people say here, but if you want to be good at rucking, buy good boots, boot socks, be tall/have long legs, have a strong back, don’t injure your back (especially lower back), and have strong hips (if you put on the hip strap of your ruck and you have weak hips, you will not have a fun time).
  • Go to the gym and get big. Running is important, but being strong is so much more valuable. You don’t wanna be THAT guy who can’t last during smoke sessions, and / or can’t drag / carry a battle buddy. West Point has a very serious physical fitness culture.
  • Have fun and don’t take things too seriously. As mentioned earlier, CBT is easy. Just do what you’re told. Obviously, don’t be a huge square, but don’t be the reason why your platoon or company gets smoked. Read the room. Know when you can loosen up and when to lock it up. You will be with your platoon of new cadets (future plebes) for the next 4 years, and platoon leadership for the next year (PL is a firstie) or two (squad leaders and PSG are cows); don’t make enemies. Make friends. CBT will be your easiest and least stressful time at West Point.
  • Have fun before you leave. CBT is the end of your childhood. You haven't yet committed to minimum of 5 years of service, but you may have taken the spot of another kid who has been working towards getting into West Point and eventually commission. I don't necessarily blame those who leave West Point before Affirmation, because you really don't know what it's like here until you're done with your first semester. Cadet Candidate visits are simply not enough to capture what life is actually like here, so really know what you're getting yourself into.
Click to expand...
This is so helpful. You mentioned a watch. We were thinking of getting our son a fitness/GPS watch for graduation. Would it be a good idea not to use this during plebe summer/beast/NSI?
 
SA907 said:
This is so helpful. You mentioned a watch. We were thinking of getting our son a fitness/GPS watch for graduation. Would it be a good idea not to use this during plebe summer/beast/NSI?
Click to expand...
Ok for the Academic Year, not for Beast. Make sure it is conservative in color, i.e. Silver, Black. Bring it for ADay. For Beast, a good ole Back Cassio GShock is the best. My Plebe DS uses, and loves his Apple Watch Ultra he got for Christmas.
 
TXDad01 said:
The signature is if you take it in person. My DS reached out for clarification and they suggested the online search as another option.

We are in TX and ran it through the Texas Department of Public Safety, but I am not sure how other states work. The report came back as a pdf file that he uploaded into his portal. The next day it turned green.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
We are in Texas as well, so did you just uploaded the results from the Texas Department of Public Safety? Did you upload the actual please record check form as well?
 
JuiceBox said:
50-60L personal bag. Our issued bags (the green “US” bags, which are called flight bags, are about 60L, but they will have issued items, so you will NOT be able to utilize the full 60L for the stuff you bought. Though you technically only have 60 seconds to transfer your stuff from your personal bag, if you don’t finish, you may get additional time if your cadre are good people on the inside. Cadre are still people and were in your shoes just two years ago).
Click to expand...

Can I get further explanation on what these bags are? Do we need to buy one on our own? If so, where could I find one?
 
We went to an Army Exchange inside Fort Myer join base. A store clerk helped us to get boots and low-quarter but he said they don't sell running shoes. Outside army section we saw some shoes (Nike etc) but none of them labeled as running shoes. DS bought a pair running shoes from Amazon for his CFA.

Is that good enough ? or anyone has suggestion ?
 
gniyji said:
We went to an Army Exchange inside Fort Myer join base. A store clerk helped us to get boots and low-quarter but he said they don't sell running shoes. Outside army section we saw some shoes (Nike etc) but none of them labeled as running shoes. DS bought a pair running shoes from Amazon for his CFA.

Is that good enough ? or anyone has suggestion ?
Click to expand...
You'll get different answers to this because everyone has their favorite pair of running shoes. I like Brooks, but admittedly don't put in as many miles as I use to. My older son, who is training for a marathon, also prefers Brooks. Your son can visit a running specific shoe store and try on different styles, talk to folks there.
 
drsegway said:
Thanks for the information. My personal experience with those rucks have been pretty terrible. Way more injuries in the TRADOC world popped up once they started issuing those out. I've got a nice Molle 2 ruck that has served me well the last couple years. If I were to bring that, say as a personal bag or item any chance of being able to use it during the rucks? My gut tells me probably not, but I'm curious nonetheless.
Click to expand...
Completely understand - I recommend not yet and definitely don't bring it to CBT. Wait until you're a few months in and you can get a read on what your company and upperclass will allow. I've heard very similar feedback about the MOLLE 4K - my only experience with it was during Airborne school where we jumped it and rucked a bit.
 
mj5 said:
Can I get further explanation on what these bags are? Do we need to buy one on our own? If so, where could I find one?
Click to expand...
The green US bags are issued. You can look at pictures from the Flickr site for the 2027 R-Day (and for your CC's RDay and beyond) to get an idea of what they get. My DS had no problem transferring his 60L personal bag into the green US bag.

flic.kr

Class of 2027 Reception Day

More than 1,240 U.S. citizens and 14 international students report to the U.S. Military Academy on June 26 for Reception Day to join West Point’s Class of 2027. West Point, New Yoek.
flic.kr flic.kr

There are tons of great pictures for nearly every phase of cadet activities.
 
Holden100 said:
You'll get different answers to this because everyone has their favorite pair of running shoes. I like Brooks, but admittedly don't put in as many miles as I use to. My older son, who is training for a marathon, also prefers Brooks. Your son can visit a running specific shoe store and try on different styles, talk to folks there.
Click to expand...
Brooks, Saucony and New Balance are always excellent running shoes. See to it that you get the on-pavement shoes and NOT trail running shoes.
 
mj5 said:
Can I get further explanation on what these bags are? Do we need to buy one on our own? If so, where could I find one?
Click to expand...
A personal bag is one that you buy to bring stuff with you going into CBT. You will be issued a duffel bag known as a flight bag on R-Day, which you will then transfer stuff from your personal bag into. You can find them on Amazon or at some sporting goods store. I'd recommend getting a bag that doesn't exceed 60L.
 
Hey, Class of 2028 here! We have a discord set up for ‘28 appointees but there’s only 12 people right now. It’d be great if more appointed CCs could join, you can DM me to be added.
 
I realize that I need 4 more posts to send private messages, I’ll get that done so people can DM me
 
Does anyone know if we can bring extra pairs of OCPs with us? I already have two pairs including 1 pair of hot weathers that I thought might be nice to have for CBT, but I haven't seen anyone else mention it.
 
Eagles1221 said:
Does anyone know if we can bring extra pairs of OCPs with us? I already have two pairs including 1 pair of hot weathers that I thought might be nice to have for CBT, but I haven't seen anyone else mention it.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't bring any. We were issued 2 sets of regular ACUs and 2 sets of hot weathers, which are enough.
 
JuiceBox said:
Current plebe here.
This is what I brought to R-Day. I did not feel like I was missing anything important. At the very end of this list you will find some stuff that would have been nice to have, but not what I considered to be a “must have.”
  • DD Form 93
  • Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate
  • Completed cadet finance papers
  • Wallet
    • Photo ID
    • $100 cash and debit card
  • Glasses and cases (if you wear any)
  • Watch (A cheap Casio watch is perfect, like the F-91W)
  • Phone
  • Phone charger w/ cable
  • Portable charger and cable
  • 50-60L personal bag. Our issued bags (the green “US” bags, which are called flight bags, are about 60L, but they will have issued items, so you will NOT be able to utilize the full 60L for the stuff you bought. Though you technically only have 60 seconds to transfer your stuff from your personal bag, if you don’t finish, you may get additional time if your cadre are good people on the inside. Cadre are still people and were in your shoes just two years ago).
  • Boots (Garmont T8 NFS)
  • Running shoes
  • Low quarters (matte black leather oxford-style shoes without cap toe)
  • Gallon zip-loc bags (to pack stuff like socks and underwear for easy transfer into the flight bag. Pack extra zip-loc bags because they are occasionally useful during CBT).
  • Black socks (can be used as both boot socks and dress socks)
    • Purchased 9
    • I was issued plenty of green boot socks and black dress socks, but not many white PT socks that actually fit me. Fit is important because if you can’t keep them motivated (pulled as far up your leg as possible), you will get yelled at.
  • Black or gray underwear
    • Nobody checks, so if some other color is cheaper, buy that.
    • Highly recommend packing at the VERY LEAST 12 pairs but preferably 18 pairs because you are NOT guaranteed to get any laundry done AND even if you do, it may get lost.
    • Hanes moisture-wicking underwear are great and cheap on Amazon
  • Deodorant
    • I recommend not getting gel deodorant because you will bring some when you're out in the field, which will stay in your rucksack. It could get very hot, so the gel may very well melt and / or explode.
  • Soap (3) and soap box
  • Razors
    • I recommend getting a common gillette razor with handle and replaceable razors. Space efficient, and if you run out, you can probably buy more razors at the Cadet / Academy store for your handle.
  • Moisturizing cream
  • Face wash
  • Toothbrush and case
    • Do NOT forget a case.
  • Tooth paste (2)
  • Chapstick
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Sunscreen (some may be issued to you)
  • Bug repellent cream (some may be issued, but if you want to buy some, buy cream)
  • Foot powder (some may be issued to you)
  • Band-aids (and some kind of blister relief pads or molskin, if you are susceptible to them)
  • Baby wipes (2 packs of 100. The costco / kirkland ones are the best because they are super space efficient).
  • Multi-tool (must buy)
  • Lighter (not the most useful item, but nice to have when you actually need it. Others in your platoon will have one though).
  • Shoe shining kit (I would recommend so that you aren’t forced to use a battle buddy’s kit)
  • Headlamp (extremely optional b/c we were issued them last June)
  • Tape (3 packs of 2 black flat rolls. Look for flat rolls of tape on amazon. This stuff is not only amazing, but actually extremely useful. You will be in the field and eventually, you or someone else will need tape. These can easily fit in your ACU pockets or in your FLC grenade pouches. Absolute must buy).
  • Rite in the rain hand-sized book and pen
    • I would highly recommend because it will rain eventually and you will most certainly get wet.
  • Pencils (2) and pens (2) (You will get some pens anyway. It’s nice to have little things from home, though).
  • Envelopes and stamps (20 of each. You will be issued some but if you get a lot of letters, you may run out).
What would have been nice:
  • US Army face paint kit
    • Black, green, brown, and dark gray are the colors that I remember being allowed to use.
    • A mirror to apply the paint
  • Some kind of long-lasting body spray. Technically, you are not allowed things that spray in order to apply, but nobody actually checks for that and some cheap cologne/body spray is sold at the C store, which you may buy. It just sucks to stink almost all the time.
  • BLACK gloves for shooting and field stuff. The ones we are issued suck because they’re all leather and clunky, but they’re really not THAT bad.
  • Photos of family and friends. CBT is easy, just do as you're told. The real hard part is being away from home and isolated from the rest of the world, especially if CBT will be your first time away from home. You have a lot of people counting on you.
  • Addresses of family and friends. Preferably, you will give them your P.O Box and they will write letters, but the first week or so may feel very isolating and dehumanizing. You may or may not have free time during the first half of CBT (up to your platoon’s leadership), but eventually you will be in your room doing nothing. Write and send out letters for fun.
  • Phone numbers of family and friends. You might be able to make a short phone call a few times during CBT. Not that I didn’t want to call my mom (because I did, and she was mortified when they left me at Ike Hall, according to my family), but her phone number was the only one I could remember. You don’t want to have the opportunity to call a loved one to be taken away because you forgot to write down phone numbers.
  • Small things from home that make you happy.
Tips for CBT:
  • I saw a lot of people asking about running in general. You will run a lot, but they will not be at very fast paces, however, they will suck if you did not run at all before CBT. As a (humbly) very good runner throughout high school, I recommend building up to being able to run 5 miles at a 9:00 minute pace. You will not run this far during the beast (2-3 miles max run, which may depend on your ability group), but you will ruck distances longer than this. You need to build the mental grit of doing nothing but moving for extended periods of time, as well as cardio. Increase mileage by 10% each week. Run at least 3 times a week and stay consistent. Running everyday is not very useful and could lead to injury. Rucking is also not good for your body, so don’t ruck before CBT. This is contradictory to what many people say here, but if you want to be good at rucking, buy good boots, boot socks, be tall/have long legs, have a strong back, don’t injure your back (especially lower back), and have strong hips (if you put on the hip strap of your ruck and you have weak hips, you will not have a fun time).
  • Go to the gym and get big. Running is important, but being strong is so much more valuable. You don’t wanna be THAT guy who can’t last during smoke sessions, and / or can’t drag / carry a battle buddy. West Point has a very serious physical fitness culture.
  • Have fun and don’t take things too seriously. As mentioned earlier, CBT is easy. Just do what you’re told. Obviously, don’t be a huge square, but don’t be the reason why your platoon or company gets smoked. Read the room. Know when you can loosen up and when to lock it up. You will be with your platoon of new cadets (future plebes) for the next 4 years, and platoon leadership for the next year (PL is a firstie) or two (squad leaders and PSG are cows); don’t make enemies. Make friends. CBT will be your easiest and least stressful time at West Point.
  • Have fun before you leave. CBT is the end of your childhood. You haven't yet committed to minimum of 5 years of service, but you may have taken the spot of another kid who has been working towards getting into West Point and eventually commission. I don't necessarily blame those who leave West Point before Affirmation, because you really don't know what it's like here until you're done with your first semester. Cadet Candidate visits are simply not enough to capture what life is actually like here, so really know what you're getting yourself into.
Click to expand...
Curious if there are any issues taking a multi-tool in carry-on on flight to West Point.
 
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