What to Bring to CBT?

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Driverainv

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Oct 6, 2008
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Is there a list of what items should be brought up for CBT and as well as for the start of classes.
 
Here is a copy of a recent email I sent to the all the incoming cadet candidates from Georgia (via the Parent's Club). Keep in mind that you could show up with nothing, and still be fine...:shake:

"Many of you have asked about what your candidates might want to carry into Beast Barracks this summer. Several upperclass cadets have compiled this list of things they would take to beast with them if they were going again. NONE of these items is required, and your candidate would survive without them. These are things that can make life a bit easier (or make you popular in your squad!). The suggestion is to pack them in one or two gallon size ziploc bags (except the shoes, obviously) inside the bag to be carried on R-Day. That makes transfer of the items into the "big blue bag" (or whatever they are using these days) they are given on R-Day a simple matter. This list has been used and refined over the past 5 years, and nothing on it has ever been confiscated...




SUGGESTED ITEMS (in additional to your low quarters and athletic shoes):

Electric razor
Wrist watch (sturdy, waterproof, with alarm and glowing dial for reading in the dark)
Alarm clock, battery operated or wind up (see watch – meaningful redundancy)
Small flashlight with extra batteries (mini-mag type w/ red filter for lens)
Small folding multi-purpose tool/knife (Leatherman type)
Small address book (completely filled out, including important dates)
Stamps (put in address book)
One 8x10 frame (plastic,not glass) with various photos in it to rotate, or a collage of photos to fit
Disposable lighter (buy after you fly in -- for burning strings off uniforms, sealing 550 cord, etc)
Chapstick
Small roll of duct tape (sand color if you can find it)
Lengths of 550 (“parachute”) cord
Band aids, blister pads, moleskin, anti-friction gel (also good for use with ruck chafing) and gold bond foot powder (see a theme?)
Lint free rag for shining shoes
Fine grade sand paper for buffing gouges out of shoes
Extra all-white crew socks (you will be issued some)
Toothpaste, shampoo, facewash IF you prefer a particular brand of each
Sports-type wicking underwear (i.e. UnderArmour type)
Extra boot socks (military)
Thin, wicking sock liners for wear under dress socks and/or boot socks
For female candidates: extra sports bras, and a supply of whatever feminine products you prefer (the C-store is limited).

Make certain your athletic shoes are running shoes (not cross trainers, real running shoes), fairly new, but broken in."
 
I was just at the academy over the weekend and had the opportunity to stop in the PX and pick up my low quarters and boots. The saleswoman (major props to her for how helpful she was) selected the standard low quarters that everyone will get on R-day, but selected a pair of ACU boots that won't be issued, but still follow regulations. She told me that they are better than the ones cadets will be issued and I will want to have them later on.

Should I bring them on R-day and if so, would I have to wear the boots I'm issued or could I continue to use the ones I already purchased?
 
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So would our social security card be the only form we basically bring?
 
We have received info that you can bring a good copy of your SS card and leave the original at home for safe keeping. Make sure the card is signed before you copy it.
 
Other forms to bring: not necessary, but can save some trouble...copy of birth certificate, copy of SS card (do not need the original), copy of your shot record. I put the paperwork in a plastic folder and DS kept it with him just incase. If your shot records are lost on Rday, you get extra shots, just in case...not good.
As far as the other items: some cadets report having to leave optional items in the trunk room, while others were able to keep them. You just never know. It really depends how tough the cadre are who are watching you do this and how intimidated or nervous you feel at the time. For example, my son's friend brought two pairs of compression shorts w/ him...and had to leave them behind, while my son on his first phone call home asked me (w/ cadre permission) to mail compression shorts.
 
Don't forget to pack some humility and your sense of humor!
 
If I bring my portable hard drive to CBT do you think they will take it from me.
 
They don't really "take" things from you. You show up w/ your stuff...you are in a big room w/ signs with what you are allowed to transfer to the bag that stays with you (big duffle that will be filled w/ uniforms, etc throughout R day), and what will stay in the bag from home and be stored til beast is over. They probably won't physically take your item, but you will have ZERO use for it during beast. If they are watching you put the items in your bag (very possible), they will just say to leave it in your other bag. You will be best served by sticking w/ the packing list they give you.
 
This is where is gets really confusing. The packing list for (guys) is: running shoes, the black "low quarter" type shoe, and an eyeglass sports strap if you wear glasses, one small piece of luggage and the clothes on your back. THAT IS IT. There is an "Optional" and " DO NOT BRING" list as well as a "FORBIDDEN ITEMS" list. One of the "Forbiddens" is cell phones along with drugs, alcohol, fake ID's, etc. In other words, things that are NEVER allowed. But we all know that cell phones are allowed after Beast. Why is it on the "forbidden" list ?
Is this really a test on following instructions? Can you bring stuff not listed at all with the understanding that it will stay in your luggage and stored away or will the cadre single you out as not following instructions. momof2cadets has on her list stuff not listed anywhere (flashlight, multi-purpose tool, lighter etc).
My thought is to bring what is only on the "Must Bring" and "Optional" lists and not taking a chance on standing out as a "non-instruction following cadet appointee." But I know that my son will want to bring his cell phone for use after Beast. What to bring, what not to bring, that is the question. Clear as mud !
 
Buff, it is a dilemma. I will tell you what we did last year: momof2cadets was very helpful both on and offline to me...so I packed what she said to pack and my cadet was fine. None of his things were taken. However, lots of stuff adds up in weight. My son had a picnic the day before Rday for other recruits for his sport. He was told to bring his sports equipment. He loaded the sports bag w/ some of the heavier stuff that he knew was really for the second part of beast (the multitool, duct tape, rope) so he had easier access. Most cadets cannot do this, so you just have to make choices. If mine were not an athlete, he still would have brought all the same stuff...all in all it only added another pound or two. At least this year you aren't starting the day carrying the boots!
 
mom3boys is right - they give you like 30 seconds and tell you to move your stuff. what doesn't get moved goes to storage.
BTW - you may or may not ever see it again. My daughter lost her clothes she wore to R-Day.
My advice - DO NOT bring a cell phone. You may never see it again, if it gets lost.

Parents who go to A-Day may bring it, those who do not may ship it.

Buff81 - If a new cadet showed up in underwear they will be accepted and fully clothed.
The "extra" stuff is more or less needed in the field. The cadre have lots of stuff that New Cadets can borrow and those from prior service will arrive fully equipped.
If your son/daughter wants a Gerber for graduation - go for it.

One caution - the Electric razor. Bring it but also bring a regular razor and practice with it too. New Cadets now go out into the field for a week before the marchback and sometimes for one or two nights prior. You will be away from the lovelies of electricity and running water. Baby wipes are also a necessity. We got several small packages - not the big plastic tubs.

Lots of stuff can be bought at the C-Store over the summer, sometimes they run out though.

Definitely use ZipLoc bags - eps for small items and definitely for undies and bras that females bring. Females also should bring a regular bra to wear under the white over grays.

Paperwork - My daughter handcarried - outside her duffle bag - an envelope with copies of all her paperwork. This included all her health, immunization, dental forms, ss card and direct deposit form. She said it was very helpful.

chiazo - leave the harddrive at home. you don't want to risk it getting damaged or lost and there is no computer during beast.
 
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"If your son/daughter wants a Gerber for graduation - go for it "

What is a "Gerber" ?

JAM - thanks for all the info. Very helpful. Waters are starting to clear.:smile:
 
haha - you will soon find out, and be an expert in all the permutations of one!
Don't worry - I didn't know what one was a year ago either.
It's a mulit-tool - Gerber and Leatherman are two popular brands.
http://www.gerbertools.com/Gerber_Multi_Tools.html

I wouldn't spend a lot of money - unless your New Cadet already knows what he/she wants.
 
Kudos to all of you for the great info... Buff, a Gerber is a military standard Swiss Army knife type gadget. Very helpful.

Again, thanks everyone. This has answered many questions.
 
dont buy a gerber rarely use it and if u need to tons of other cadets will have one.
 
Chiazo, some would say that it's better to be the cadet with the Gerber (leatherman, et al), than the one borrowing all the time. :wink:
 
i spoke with a cadet who did CBT last summer and he said it was a waste of an investment because all the used it for was cutting 550 cord. If its going to cost me 100 dollars for a knife i guess i will be the cadet borrowing it all the time.
 
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