Contact lenses, etc. during AIM

Hoping2021

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For those who have attended AIM before...

1. We understand that they don't wear contact lenses during SWAB summer, but can they REALLY wear them during AIM? It says to bring them according to the packing list, but realistically speaking, do they ACTUALLY have time to fumble with them in the morning? Should we not even bother packing contacts and just stick to glasses? Any advice from contact lens wearers?

2. It says to bring swimsuit, but do they have swimming during AIm? Do they need to know how to swim already? (My DD doesn't...) how much swimming will there be during AIM? Goggles?

3. Any other tips or suggestions for packing list, misc. stuff that were not covered in handbook but AIMsters may find helpful? (Any and all other advice, suggestion, and insights appreciated, but especially those specifically for girls... like dealing with long hair with limited shower time!)
 
I attended AIM last summer and wore contacts the whole time. As long as your DS/DD can put them in quick (like under 10 sec) you should be fine. I started to automatically wake myself up a few minutes before reveille would go off so I was able to stretch and put my contacts in before the day got started, which definitely helped. But if you're not that quick with contacts there's no harm in just going with glasses, it'll probably be less of a hassle. Also no we never went swimming, but I'd bring a swimsuit just in case because it's better to be prepared than to be without one and get yelled at for it. Good luck!
 
Did not go to AIM but I will be a swab this summer. Something to keep in mind is that disease can spread quickly in environments like the one your kid is going into, so if they're going to use contacts, maybe keep hand sanitizer handy. Pink eye spreads because dirty hands come in contact with your eye and bacteria spreads...and pink eye is NOT fun if CG does not have handy what treats it! From what I've been told, swabs can bring contacts but that "only you can make your life easier." -- so I will be wearing my glasses all summer for the sake of just not making my life harder or more complicated. If your kid would really prefer wearing contacts, bring them. But keep in mind it's only one week they'd have to wear glasses.

Also as a to-be swab, I've been told different things about the packing list. One 2/c (now 1/c) that I've talked to said there was only some stuff I really needed to bring. But other cadets have told me to just bring everything on the packing list and nothing extra. The summer (and AIM) changes every year. For that reason, bringing a swim suit is a good idea, regardless of whether or not you swim. Foul weather could prevent your kid from doing outside activity and push the cadre to do swimming activities. Live by the Coast Guard motto..."Always ready."

I am a female as well. I have been told to bring 2-in-one shampoo and conditioner, since you will not have a lot of time to shower and get dressed. Wear your hair in a bun or pony tail (I prefer buns, less hair in the way) and bring clips + lots of hair ties. Unfortunately long hair is famously a hassle, so just be prepared to not take good care of it for a bit. You may have time at night to fix it, but it will be unkempt for the time being. Not sure if anything on the AIM packing list is color-specific, but if it is, make sure you get that color. I have heard cadre go off on swabs who don't wear white undergarments. For the sake of avoiding that, follow directions!

Good luck.
 
When my son was a swab, he just wore his glasses all Swab Summer. Less hassle, no time to deal with it.
 
Also as a to-be swab, I've been told different things about the packing list. One 2/c (now 1/c) that I've talked to said there was only some stuff I really needed to bring. But other cadets have told me to just bring everything on the packing list and nothing extra.

Highly suggest you bring everything that is on the packing list and nothing more. Bring travel size toiletries and have full size ones sent after R-Day. (Be sure they are in zip locks). Everything you bring should fit into a back pack. Don't bring a suit case or roller board. Life will be miserable if you do, and the day is tough enough. Best to pack everything in ziplock as it's possible your back pack will be dumped to be inspected. Easier to get everything back in quickly.

Enjoy what's left of your summer break!
 
Thank you everyone for your advice and feedback. We're still strictly asking about AIM packing list and not SWAB summer, but a few more questions to those who attended AIM. It says to bring a set of twin sheets with pillow case, but do we do that even if we take a sleeping bag? The next item on the list says blanket/comforter OR sleeping bag. In other words, I'm asking if we can skip the sheets or not if you take a sleeping bag. (we assume pillows are provided but is that correct?) All things considered (like having to reduce bulk as much as possible for the plane ride and also for running up and down the hills, hot east coast weather, limited time to make bed, etc) would you recommend blanket, comforter, or sleeping bag?
 
I went to AIM last year and I wore my contacts all the time. If your son or daughter is able to wear them through the night and wake up in the morning with them fine, that works. I did that and it wasn't too bad. I did have to blink a lot and it took a couple minutes for them to feel fine, but i got through it. The only time that I was able to take them out and wash them was after taps when I went to the bathroom to wash my teeth and clean out my contacts. After that, I just stuck them in. I don't know if it's a great idea to wake up before reveille to put in your contacts. My cadre would yell a lot if you woke up earlier than reveille. Happened a couple times.

I just brought twin sheets with a pillow case. One of the things that cadre would check is how well the bed was made and you can't really make a bed with a sleeping bag. I can't remember anyone bringing a sleeping bag either.

I was told to bring swim shorts but we never used them. Never once actually got in the water. Closest thing to the water was going on small boats onto the Thames but everyone wore normal clothes, no swimming shorts.
 
I went to AIM last year and I wore my contacts all the time. If your son or daughter is able to wear them through the night and wake up in the morning with them fine, that works. I did that and it wasn't too bad. I did have to blink a lot and it took a couple minutes for them to feel fine, but i got through it. The only time that I was able to take them out and wash them was after taps when I went to the bathroom to wash my teeth and clean out my contacts. After that, I just stuck them in. I don't know if it's a great idea to wake up before reveille to put in your contacts. My cadre would yell a lot if you woke up earlier than reveille. Happened a couple times.

I just brought twin sheets with a pillow case. One of the things that cadre would check is how well the bed was made and you can't really make a bed with a sleeping bag. I can't remember anyone bringing a sleeping bag either.

I was told to bring swim shorts but we never used them. Never once actually got in the water. Closest thing to the water was going on small boats onto the Thames but everyone wore normal clothes, no swimming shorts.

Oh, so you suggest against the sleeping bag altogether then? Were the sheets enough, no blanket needed? Didn't get cold at night? Just how hot does it get during July in New London, especially in Chase hall? (No A/C?) after reading this, now we're wondering if we can get away with just a carry-on on the plane to avoid having to check-in her luggage. if we REALLY don't need the blanket, it just may be possible.
 
I would bring a small blanket. As far as I know, all of the hallways and rooms that held aimsters were air conditioned. It definitely gets cold at night with the a/c on. The first 2 or 3 nights I slept under it but then you realize if you sleep on top of it, less to do in the morning in the sense of making your bed. But I would definitely bring one.

You might fell the heat of Connecticut during exercises in the hallway but even then, it's no where as hot as it is outside.

If your son or daughter can hold the cold and sleep well with the a/c on, but if not, I'd bring just a small blanket
 
I would suggest againot the sleeping bag. I forgot to write it in the last reply
 
I would bring a small blanket. As far as I know, all of the hallways and rooms that held aimsters were air conditioned. It definitely gets cold at night with the a/c on. The first 2 or 3 nights I slept under it but then you realize if you sleep on top of it, less to do in the morning in the sense of making your bed. But I would definitely bring one.

You might fell the heat of Connecticut during exercises in the hallway but even then, it's no where as hot as it is outside.

If your son or daughter can hold the cold and sleep well with the a/c on, but if not, I'd bring just a small blanket
Ohhhh, so they DID have a/c on! Thanks for letting us know. Kids few years ago said there was no A/C. I wonder if things have changed. Ok, no sleeping bag but a blanket, it is. I guess we'll have to check in her stuff after all. Thank you for your help!
 
Chase Hall has been having AC installed over time. Some decks have it, a few still do not. I have no idea if AIMsters will get it or not.
 
Chase Hall has been having AC installed over time. Some decks have it, a few still do not. I have no idea if AIMsters will get it or not.
We've always heard that Chase Hall is so hot, gross, and humid. Had no idea they've added A/C in the recent years. Do they intend to install A/C for the whole place eventually? Maybe by the time they're SWABS? Still nice to know there's always a possibility!
 
I went to AIM last year and I wore my contacts all the time. If your son or daughter is able to wear them through the night and wake up in the morning with them fine, that works. I did that and it wasn't too bad. I did have to blink a lot and it took a couple minutes for them to feel fine, but i got through it. The only time that I was able to take them out and wash them was after taps when I went to the bathroom to wash my teeth and clean out my contacts. After that, I just stuck them in. I don't know if it's a great idea to wake up before reveille to put in your contacts. My cadre would yell a lot if you woke up earlier than reveille. Happened a couple times.

I just brought twin sheets with a pillow case. One of the things that cadre would check is how well the bed was made and you can't really make a bed with a sleeping bag. I can't remember anyone bringing a sleeping bag either.

I was told to bring swim shorts but we never used them. Never once actually got in the water. Closest thing to the water was going on small boats onto the Thames but everyone wore normal clothes, no swimming shorts.

For the sheets, are we supposed to bring a set of one fitted and one unfitted, or are both sheets supposed to be unfitted?
 
I attended AIM last year and no one had sleeping bags! The pillows were provided so having a cover was nice. having the bed sheets and no blankets was cold at first but we all got used to it. A/C was on for all Aimsters.

Also, if your child is flying to Connecticut, it's better to carry the luggage/bag onto the plane! It makes the whole process faster and I don't remember anyone not bringing it onto the plane.
 
Make sure you have a quick dry towel. Put modesty aside. DD brought a thin blanket. Think of it like camp. I remember many times kids coming back with something. It's hot kids don't eat correctly, they are not hydrating them selves, bring a plastic bag to throw your dirty clothes in. Tie it up well so it doesn't stink. Also don't wear your feelings on your sleeve.
 
I attended AIM last year and no one had sleeping bags! The pillows were provided so having a cover was nice. having the bed sheets and no blankets was cold at first but we all got used to it. A/C was on for all Aimsters.

Also, if your child is flying to Connecticut, it's better to carry the luggage/bag onto the plane! It makes the whole process faster and I don't remember anyone not bringing it onto the plane.
So, try to squeeze everything in a carry-on and not check in anything if we can manage it (even with the blanket). That's what you're suggesting, right?
 
Make sure you have a quick dry towel. Put modesty aside. DD brought a thin blanket. Think of it like camp. I remember many times kids coming back with something. It's hot kids don't eat correctly, they are not hydrating them selves, bring a plastic bag to throw your dirty clothes in. Tie it up well so it doesn't stink. Also don't wear your feelings on your sleeve.
I'm sorry but what exactly do you mean by "put modesty aside"? Is it because they will be showering together as a group or....???? Also, quick dry towel for after shower, right? Since they're not given much time? Just how long/short are they given for showers? Packing list said one or two towels but did anyone find two towels to be necessary? Do they take showers often in a day? Right now, we're on a mission to minimize the carry-on content. One bath size towel makes a huge difference. Haha
 
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