Bags on I-Day

gdesena

gdesena

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I'm still not sure how this works. From what I have heard, our personal belongings will be taken away on I-Day to be kept until PPW, but there are also a bunch of things that we are told to bring that we should keep with us (ie: toiletries, undergarments, etc.). How does this work? can we bring a backpack to carry these things? will they put our stuff in a separate bag?

clarification, please?

Thanks,
Geoff
 
You may never see that stuff again

Son (2012)went with the backpack of stuff on the list. Never used it. got some things back at the PPW. Some stuff lost to the magic of bancroft. Same magic that mysteriously removes one sock out of the dryer load that you just finished.

Flash forward to May of this year. Pick son up with the Suburban. Almost could not get all the stuff in it. They give you anything you need, stuff that you may never use, and more things you wish you didnt have. :thumb:
My humble advice is go with the clothes on your back and your Bible. All the rest they will give you and care packages will take care of the rest.
 
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Hell...don't even bring the Bible. Chaplains were handing those out free that first Sunday.
 
You should still bring a smal bag to hold your cell phone for when they give them back to make your calls home.
 
I'd still rather be safe than sorry. I'll still bring that stuff even if I'll never see it again.
 
Why would you ask the question if you are just going to ignore the advice. You don't need to bring anything with you. If you desire, bring boxers for when school starts. You won't need unwavering support once Plebe Summer is over, unless you think chopping will be a pain. Everyone else here has said to not bring anything but your body. Leave your brain at home and have your parents mail it when school starts. Bring a picture of your girlfriend. She probably won't be your girlfriend for much longer though. You won't need anything else.
 
To defend Marvin (not that he needs it) it's not till after plebe year that you know enough to get that pessimistic and I agree with every one of his posts I've read!
 
Good looking out Kero. If I or anyone else ever sounds less than idealistic about the experience you all are about to go through, it is because we know first hand. Better to know the truth now than to have your preconceived notions busted up by some firstie who thinks he is cool just because he yells at 18 year olds while they eat breakfast. Gdesena, you bring what you think you'll need.
 
My son has decided he is carrying a tiny bag with needed paperwork and small ziplock bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, razor, nail clippers. He has agreed to carry his scientific calculator and 3 pairs of boxer briefs because his mom is mean and is making him take it...that's it. Note...he does not own a cell phone, so no phone will go with him. I saw pix of newly minted plebes carrying huge white seabags stuffed with everything they issue them and having to carry their civilian bag with 10 pairs of everything just seemed like a big pain. So...that is my two cents...
 
I highly recommend you listen to those who have gone before you. We've all been there, done that - the less you have on you the better off you'll be.

Bring your ID card and what ever required paperwork they've told you to bring, the clothes on your back, zip-lock baggie for cell phone & cell phone charger (suggest you put name/rank company and platoon number on ziplock baggie or at least have something ready w/ that info so you can quickly put it on the bag b/c you'll be shoved thru the human assembly line). Bible yes (or have mom/dad mail it on I-day from in town) - I know they issue you one, but I know that I wanted my own personal Bible b/c I have it maked up w/ notes and such (obviously your choice).

You literally will be issued all your gear on I-day and fitted for stuff that requires tailoring. by the end of it your seabag will weigh about 70lbs at a min. and then add any personal items you still have on you at the time. you don't get time to nicely pack your seabag either so as you are shoved thru the assembly line you just throw stuff in your bag and it's unbalanced and everything and not fun to haul around. Then you'll arrive to your lovely living arrangements for the nexts 6wks to find some nicely stacked boxes that say "Plebe Issue Gear Box #1, 2, 3...etc" (at least that's what they said on mine). In these boxes you'll find MORE STUFF...

again, take our word for it - the less you have the better off you are - not to mention when it comes time to move all your stuff when the Brigade returns the less you have the easier/quicker it is to move as well

Remember your 7 Ps: Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
 
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^^^ that sounds like reasonable advice, and I doubt there are many who don't want to follow it.

The confusion and uncertainty comes from the fact that you get almost as much advice from current/former mids saying "do what you're told, this is the Navy" and and occasional "I heard that this year they'll be issuing less underwear".
 
Pachrian, that's why I was advised by some mids to take basically everything on the list that they ask for because of the economic situation and whether or not they will be issuing us everything (basically underwear) like recent years...
 
I had classmates getting mail the NEXT day - your parents can put all that stuff in a care package and mail it on I-Day from Annapolis. Trust me, the Academy isn't going to NOT issue you underware, I'm sure you can get by with for a few days as you wait on a care package from home.

If you are that worried carry few extra pairs, but I wouldn't suggest carrying more than a small bag of stuff.

DO NOT bring anything valuable as things have a tendancy to get LOST in the bowels of Mother B never to return to you after Plebe Summer.
 
are bookbags allowed? I was considering just putting all my paperwork, necessary toiletries, and my calculator inside there. Put all those things on top and organized and then below that all the white clothes I'll never see again.

Also with the necessary toiletries, for any past or current mids. I've read they give you only a chance to grab a few things. Any must have things besides extra contacts, retainers, and current glasses? I was hoping they allow us to keep our gold bond
 
In looking at some pix of what happens on I-day, I found out two things that might help. 1. At one point early in the process they make you fill out a label with your name, alpha code and company info. attach it to your personal bag and put the bag in a pile. So I think the necessary paperwork is out of the bag by then. 2. Later in the day, after hair cuts, uniform change and gear issue...you go to mother Bancroft. You find your personal bag in the pile of stuff...you pick up your 70lb plus sea bag and your personal bag and run them up to your assigned room to unpack. Not sure when they take away stuff or when you can take out your "must haves which are approved." I would think they let you keep your gold bond, but I would carry travel sizes I think. Have your parents mail full size stuff in your care package?? What do the experienced folks think of this? My son has decided to carry nothing much but clothes on his back and paperwork. Fortunately he has no must haves (no glasses, retainer, etc.). He will carry a small back sack kind of bag with the travel size stuff and his paperwork and calculator.
 
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unless something has changed and plebes are taking their placement exams on I-Day + 1 or 2 why are plebes worried about brining their calculator? I didn't think placement exams took place until end of plebe summer (meaning parents could send this stuff to them).

I can't speak on the personal items since it was 11yrs ago when I went thru the process and they were taken from me before entering Alumni Hall and were never seen again until PPW
 
The validation tests are given at the start of PS now, so pack your calculator and be sure to put it in your con locker before the cadre take your civilian bags.
 
Anecdotal experiences of my Mid and a local Mid from 2011:

-Both had early (0630) report times.
-Both lugged seabag AND personal bag to their room just as mentioned in earlier post
-Both had opportunity to take things they would need out of their personal bag before the rest was hauled away
-Both spent a lot of time stowing away the mountains of stuff they were issued
-Definitely important to label cell phone & charger with your name and alpha code
-Both used their own cell phones to make their allowed calls home (phones were given back for charging over night. Do not even THINK of making any calls other than during the allowed time.)
-Last year, the chem placement exam was I-day +1 for my Mid. That probably varies by company.
-If you have a bag that's a really unusual color, it might help your Plebe find it fast while being yelled at to move faster.
 
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