Footlocker to carry things to indoc

Waterbug

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Hi I have a freind whos son is graduating this year.and his mother said i should have my son get a foot locker for his personal belongings.Do they have to carry their belongings that day in.or can they be drooped off?I did call and was tols a footlocker is ok . Any hear anything else on this Thanks
 
I don't know if I would get a footlocker this early in the program. It just seems needlessly bulky and cumbersome. For Indoc I would travel as lightly as possible and stay "under the radar". There will be time to bring more stuff later. Don't forget, they will be going to sea eventually and all this gear is going to have to be stowed somewhere.
 
Footlocker

Hi Thanks for your response. What would you suggest for him to carry his gear there is quite a bit they will have to show up with? How did you Son carry his gear there on his first day Thanks
 
gear carrying

I suggest a duffle bag. There really is not "quite a bit" they have to show up with - mostly underwear, socks and paperwork. A duffle bag, soft sided, that they can stuff with their home grown belongings. The rest that they need will be issued. I would think long and hard before bringing a footlocker to Indoc - he will be lugging it all over the place.
 
When son went in back in 05, they were issued a footlocker. Anyone know if this will be true for this year's incoming class? I'd double check to see before purchasing. Son's is currently full of "crap" that we have to bring home at graduation. :rolleyes:

99% of the Candidates go in with a large duffel. Try & find some of those large ziploc style compression bags to organize their belongings. They really really help.
 
Beginning with last year's class (12) they stopped issuing footlockers and issued sea bags instead and as far as I know the same is true this year. Buy a sea bag or a large duffel bag which he can carry as a back pack. It will pull double duty and can be used for indoc and for 1st sea term.
 
The sea bag / duffel bag with shoulder straps is definitely the way to go. Plus it folds up and stows away easily. Besides, you don't want to be known as the candidate who showed up on I day with a foot locker. It could lead to a new nickname ("Candidate Foot Locker" perhaps?) Blessed anonymity is the key to Indoc. Don't call attention to yourself.
 
Oh, and those zip lock bags are a good investment. If you put all of your small items inside they will stay together in case somebody dumps your sea bag on the deck and scatters your gear all over creation.:biggrin::biggrin:
 
I agree with the no footlocker crowd. I can only imagine what would happen if they went back to the "carry your bags with you all day" rule for the first day of Indoc and what a pain it would be to haul around a foot locker.

I arrived with one large suitcase. Then used that suitcase for sea year. I also like the sea-bag idea.
 
Will a rolling duffle with wheels and a retractable handle work? It stows flat when it's empty and has lots of zip pockets. I thought I saw a couple of indoc photos from last year showing a few kids with this type of bag.
 
What about luggage for trips home?

We've been trying to find suitable luggage as a graduation gift. Trying to find a wheeled duffle bag with shoulder strap for Indoc and possible sea year. Haven't had much luck yet.

On another note, what kind of luggage will they need when they come home to visit or take sports trips? Should they also have a smaller carry-on or duffle bag for those instances? I don't suspect they will bring much home with them at fall break or christmas. Should we consider a larger duffle AND a smaller carry on?

Thanks your everyone's thoughts!
 
Take a look at the High Sierra Bags. We bought the AT 359 expandable drop bottom 32" wheeled duffrite ( 32x15x15 and expands to 17). Very sturdy, well made, good wheels and handle. Have used this brand for years travelling for sports and they hold up well. The retail is $240 but I was able to get it on sale for about $89 with 1/2 price sale, coupons etc. at Kohls last week. Hope this helps.
 
My son went with the High Sierra AT202, which has the wheels and can also be used as a backpack.
 
Plebe year they will not bring much with them; so a small carry-on is all that is needed. The Plebes must travel in their uniform, and I'm sure they will have plenty of cloths at home to change into.

As far as duffel bag/roller bag. We went to walmart and bought their 30" duffel bag on roller wheels. It lasted through indoc and 1st sea term an is pretty cheap. Still in good shape too. This is a link to the one my son and many other mids took to sea, it's nice because the bottom compartment zips open for shoes/boots or books. Lots of room and inexpensive for what you get. Highly recommend this one:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8186910&findingMethod=rr

here is a link to the jeep one that's a bit more but good as well:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8586176
 
30" bag is about right but watch the weight of the bag - my DS went w the lightest/cheapest bag he could find; packed only what was on the list. That bag probably did not weigh more than 20 lbs. Pack everything in ziplocks. You want to carry as little weight in there as possible.
 
30" bag is about right but watch the weight of the bag - my DS went w the lightest/cheapest bag he could find; packed only what was on the list. That bag probably did not weigh more than 20 lbs. Pack everything in ziplocks. You want to carry as little weight in there as possible.

Seems like a good plan.......Didn't think of the Ziplocks! :thumb:
 
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