2014 BCT Packing List

Just don't overpack and become the next "Box Boy". (Anyone know if he made it?)

Box_boy_arrives.jpg

Wow. That's unfortunate. He would have known better if he had been a regular on the SAF. . . .
 
For boys, an electric razor is a godsend when you have so limited time to get ready. If I remember right, it was that and compression shorts (which were initally taken away, but returned a couple of days later) and a little cash that was all that was in my DS' backpack. He also had a folder with his shot records, passport, and other important paperwork.
 
BRING COMPRESSION SHORTS!!! As has been said. Color doesn't matter so long as you use common sense. Also, bring smaller containers of toiletries. You will go to the C-Store, but not for at least a few days. Don't be the kid who gets yelled at for not having enough stuff to last you at least the first week. Also, 5-8 pairs of compression shorts will be absolutely plenty.

Will the compression shorts be in lieu of underwear? My only concern is if their flight commanders decide not to allow them to have compression shorts and that is all they brought...... :eek:
 
Will the compression shorts be in lieu of underwear? My only concern is if their flight commanders decide not to allow them to have compression shorts and that is all they brought...... :eek:

I certainly hope no one is planning on using compression shorts as a substitute for underwear. Get underwear AND compression shorts, if it comes to a choice between the two for wearing the uniform, underwear should be your pick. Having only compression shorts to wear for PTUs, blues, and ABUs is unwise, as well as a little unhygienic. They help when you're working out, but tend to hold the smell long afterwards....After a full day of running around and several uniform changes trust me, you're going to want nothing more than to take those things off.
 
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I've seen 2 different answers for this. Do the compression shorts have to be white. DD has several black pairs, are those ok?
 
The compression shorts actual help with the ABU uniform as well. They prevent the chaffing that can occur as ones skin in the thigh area adapts to the coarser material. Before compression shorts became a thing, my DD used her PT shorts under her ABU's to avoid the chaffing. So, there are options to avoid this unpleasant rash/abrasion from the ABU's.
 
The compression shorts actual help with the ABU uniform as well. They prevent the chaffing that can occur as ones skin in the thigh area adapts to the coarser material. Before compression shorts became a thing, my DD used her PT shorts under her ABU's to avoid the chaffing. So, there are options to avoid this unpleasant rash/abrasion from the ABU's.

Sure, but she ALSO wears underwear right? They can help with chaffing and can be a substitute for shirt guarders in blues, but a poster earlier was referring to a situation where his DS would bring only compression shorts, and no underwear because he was worried about his kid being left with only what he has on if the compression shorts are taken away day one for a couple of days. Just advising that they have both since having just compression shorts on all the time creates a different kind of discomfort.
 
Bring compression shorts, bottom line. You can bring other underwear as well just in case you get the compression shorts taken away. In my own personal experience, I started chaffing whenever I wasn't wearing compression shorts (especially bad during the march out to Jack's Valley).

It's hot in Colorado and you don't have very much time to "relax" and take off the compression shorts and change into other underwear. Just wearing compression shorts is sort of unhygienic, as mentioned before, but I'd rather have the bit of the smell than suffer from chaffing.
 
Would we be allowed through with something like short guarders (for blues) or blousing straps (for Abu)? Also, I know that rulers or tape measures make white collar beds much more efficient.. Are those things that can be brought?


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Would we be allowed through with something like short guarders (for blues) or blousing straps (for Abu)? Also, I know that rulers or tape measures make white collar beds much more efficient.. Are those things that can be brought?

You are over thinking: compression shorts, copy of all your paperwork, money, and basic toiletries. Start down the road of "what else should I bring?" and you will end up being the 2018 Box Boy.
 
I've been through 2 years of prep including ROTC FTP and these are just common things to make uniforms look more sharp... I doubt they would even take up more than a pocket In a backpack.. I just wanted to know if they are allowed or not


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I made sure DD had those things before she left in 2010. However, I don't think she was allowed to keep them during BCT. Those items were put with her luggage. Doesn't mean she didn't use them later. She wished she had found time to store them in her personal drawer so she would have had them, but didn't know at the time. I am not saying break the rules! The rules are there for a reason. Just know that taking them ahead of time doesn't mean you will get to use them right away. I think the shirt garters are issued at USAFA. Unless you are partial to a particular brand, I wouldn't sweat it. Most cadets, after BCT get their shirts tailored so this is not a worry.
 
Our son left the Green Bay airport with a backpack that contained a folder with his paperwork and one clean shirt and one clean pair of underwear for the next day. He did the Bed and Breakfast program so his sponsor family took him to Doolittle Hall the following morning with exactly what he brought on the plane. He survived just fine for 4 years. The Air Force will provide or issue everything that you need.

I don't have a problem with anyone who wants to bring compression shorts because it seems that there is a need. However, you do not need to bring anything else.
 
In prior years, there have been threads specific to what females should bring with them. Maybe the moderator could locate one of those threads and post the cite. Females need to bring their own underwear -- nothing fancy because it will be ruined by the end of BCT and your DD will gladly throw it away. Moderator can you please bring up the thread from a couple of years ago by Chrissy Jean -- her advice to females was always right on.
 
I certainly hope no one is planning on using compression shorts as a substitute for underwear. Get underwear AND compression shorts, if it comes to a choice between the two for wearing the uniform, underwear should be your pick. Having only compression shorts to wear for PTUs, blues, and ABUs is unwise, as well as a little unhygienic. They help when you're working out, but tend to hold the smell long afterwards....After a full day of running around and several uniform changes trust me, you're going to want nothing more than to take those things off.

Shows what this old fart knows.... My DS has a pair of compression shorts and to this old man they look like fancy underwear. Back when I was in boot camp it was simple. Tighty whities was all there was! :help:
 
Our son left the Green Bay airport with a backpack that contained a folder with his paperwork and one clean shirt and one clean pair of underwear for the next day. He did the Bed and Breakfast program so his sponsor family took him to Doolittle Hall the following morning with exactly what he brought on the plane. He survived just fine for 4 years. The Air Force will provide or issue everything that you need.

I don't have a problem with anyone who wants to bring compression shorts because it seems that there is a need. However, you do not need to bring anything else.

Below is directly out of the Instructions to Appointee booklet. I'd assume they should follow this. It seems very specific as far as underwear and T-shirts go.

The Academy DOES NOT issue bras or briefs to women or briefs and V-neck t-shirts to men. FemalesMUST bring eight white
sports bras and twelve pair of white cotton briefs. MenMUST bring 12 pair of plain white underwear (boxer briefs must not extend
below mid-thigh) and 8 plain white V-neck t-shirts. Please mark all under clothing with the first initial of your student id (found on
your application portal). The laundry marking should be approximately one inch high and one and one half inches wide.
 
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