What to bring to STP (VMI)

NROTC-Hopeful

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Besides loads of underwear, toothbrush, razor, etc. What else should pre-strain bring next week?

Cell phone, laptop, etc.?
 
Besides loads of underwear, toothbrush, razor, etc. What else should pre-strain bring next week?

Cell phone, laptop, etc.?

Yes to all of the above. Actually for STP- in addition to cell phone & laptop and stuff above you should plan on bringing decent shorts/slacks to go to class and collared shirts (You can't go to class in your basketball shorts and T shirt!) ; PT and swim gear, sheets/pillow cases; Stuff to do your laundry (you will be there for a month and will need to take care of your own laundry) and a FAN (the rooms are hot in July in Virginia). Don't go overboard taking stuff down there as you will need to haul it all back out. My son suggested that a footlocker with a lock would be a good thing if you are concerned about valuables while you are out of your room - he was not worried about that himself though. Oh yes- almost forgot- a power strip and an ethernet cable would be useful. Finally - some basic cleaning stuff for your room would be a good idea (you are expected to keep the room neat and living with 4 or even 5 others in a room- cleaning gets important!)
 
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One last thing as STP comes up (followed rapidly by Matriculation in August.:eek:)
If parents are taking your young "sluggo" or "sluggette" down to VMI for STP- you should plan on going to the parents briefings they offer. VMI will offer them again before Matriculation day- but they are a lot more useful now as you will actually have a chance to plan for the things that they are telling you! In particular- when they tell you to ensure that your kid signs the release to enable them to give you the grades, medical information etc--- use whatever leverage you have over your kid and do so. Additionally- make sure you and your kid come to an understanding and you get the userid and password to enable you to access Postview. There is a lot of information on there that you will need to have unless you have absolutely no financial responsibility for your kid (as well as grades etc... on there). Don't worry future keydets it doesn't allow access to your cadet email etc nor can you access barracks turnouts etc...
 
Yes to all of the above. Actually for STP- in addition to cell phone & laptop and stuff above you should plan on bringing decent shorts/slacks to go to class and collared shirts (You can't go to class in your basketball shorts and T shirt!) ; PT and swim gear, sheets/pillow cases; Stuff to do your laundry (you will be there for a month and will need to take care of your own laundry) and a FAN (the rooms are hot in July in Virginia). Don't go overboard taking stuff down there as you will need to haul it all back out. My son suggested that a footlocker with a lock would be a good thing if you are concerned about valuables while you are out of your room - he was not worried about that himself though. Oh yes- almost forgot- a power strip and an ethernet cable would be useful. Finally - some basic cleaning stuff for your room would be a good idea (you are expected to keep the room neat and living with 4 or even 5 others in a room- cleaning gets important!)

I'm currently in barracks and I'm telling you now that you're going to want a fan (something w/ some power behind it). I believe they should have sent you guys something pertaining to the dress code and if not it's on the website on the STP page. I wore mostly t-shirts, collared shirts, jeans, and some cargo shorts when I was STP and that seemed to be the norm. They are a little easier on us from what I've seen dress code wise. I know you're not suppose to wear flip-flops as well. Things that I would stress would be:

1. Fan (it is summer after all)
2. Ethernet Cable (or else you won't be surfing the net)
3. Short (preferably over jeans or long pants due to the heat)
4. Comfortable shoes (You will be running a good amount)
5. Desk Lamp (which will attract less bugs and be courteous to your roommates when they're trying to sleep)
6. Bathing suit
7. SHOWER SHOES (you do not want to risk catching something because you either didn't bring them or didn't feel like wearing them)
8. Computer
9. Cell Phone
10. Basic Hygiene gear and for males a razor.


Hope you guys enjoy STP, getting a class out of the way, learning the in and outs about post, and meeting your soon to be br's.
 
Whatever else you might do, bleach the freaking sink. Those Clorox wipe things are amazing.

Good luck,

Jackie M. Briski '09
First Class PVT (Ret.)
 
Thank you all for your feedback!
In regards to clothing, we can wear clothes with logos showing for STP right?
 
What about in August after matriculation day / Can socks for running have logos at all? I know the book says no logos but where do you get good running socks without a logo on it? How picky are they on that?
 
VMImom - last summer I was shopping for that lsit for my son - I followed the guidelines - I do believe it is a big deal to have plain socks, etc. I was worried about finding them, dont know where you live, but I found good thick white socks, underwear requirements, and other stuff- between marshalls, m,tj,maxx, uniform shop - but I bet a walmart or target would have plain brands.
linda, larrys mom
 
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