Blankets, Pillows, Mattress Pads

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maybe2021

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During your first year after basic training, are you allowed to have your own blankets and pillows? I've seen questions centering around this but have never found a super detailed response. Also, what about mattress pads? I know that during your first year you have room inspections... are you allowed to have a mattress pad to make the bed a little more comfortable?
 
maybe2021 said:
During your first year after basic training, are you allowed to have your own blankets and pillows? I've seen questions centering around this but have never found a super detailed response. Also, what about mattress pads? I know that during your first year you have room inspections... are you allowed to have a mattress pad to make the bed a little more comfortable?
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You will get accustomed to sleeping on top of your made up bed. Makes the morning go a bit easier.
 
The USNA mids we have sponsored over the years slept on top of a made-up rack they tweaked in the AM. They slept in lightweight sleeping bags or under throws they could quickly stow. They were usually tired enough they easily slept. Learning to sleep anywhere, on any surface, in any position, at any time, is a useful military skill.

You will figure it out once you are there.
 
maybe2021 said:
During your first year after basic training, are you allowed to have your own blankets and pillows? I've seen questions centering around this but have never found a super detailed response. Also, what about mattress pads? I know that during your first year you have room inspections... are you allowed to have a mattress pad to make the bed a little more comfortable?
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Over parents weekend his first year we got our DS a mattress pad. After Recognition, he ordered some new sheets. I think he had to remove the mattress pad for SAMI's but I am not sure. He did comment that it was great having the mattress pad. Many of these things are squad specific so the "rules" aren't consistent. That is probably why there are many different responses and no single source of what is and isn't allowed.......Just be flexible.
 
After recognition they are allowed to have their own bedding. They have to remove it for SAMI's, but are allowed to use it day to day. You may receive a phone call from your C4C's coach sometime in Feb or March. They will ask you to send civilian clothes, anything special your cadet may like to etc (do not mention this to your cadet, it is a surprise). Many parents send bedding as they are allowed to use it after recognition.
 
My DS does not sleep on his bed. We bought him a hammock. A lot depends on your squadron. During BCT I would only bring what they tell you is allowed. I suggest buying your own boots and wearing and running in them during the early summer before I Day. After BCT there are some items you may be allowed to add depending on the squadron. I wouldn't make any plans until you get there and understand it more.
 
Likely depends on squadron to squadron too.

Our son spent the better part of this first semester sleeping on the floor. Just the other day when he was home he said he now sleeps in his bed.

I believe we got him an extra long single mattress pad after A Day.
 
During parents' weekend, our DD requested a sleeping bag and pillow...she uses these to sleep on the floor so she doesn't "un-SAMI" her bed. Before this, she just slept on the hard floor.
 
You will become accustomed to sleeping on your already made bed, on your floor, in your chair. Recall: comfort is not necessarily a goal of the Air Force.
 
As a Cadet in this position I'll try to consolidate these answers. During your first year until March your bed always has to be made with issued bedding to specific standards (within a 1/4 inch). I've never met anyone who sleeps in their made bed. They give us a thin mattress pad and I personally pull it over my made bed and sleep on top of it with a fuzzy blanket that I stow during the day. I also have my own pillow in an issued pillow case. A personal mattress pad would probably be fine but I'm not really sure. Other people sleep on the floor, in sleeping bags, or in hammocks for the most part. I have a hammock I occasionally use which is pretty comfy.
 
I have a Basic Cadet heading to Jack's Valley in a couple days. Today during his Doolie Day Out calls he requested that we bring a hammock for him to use after A-Day. Does anyone have any experience about what hammocks would be good? How do they hang them up/ what do they attach them to? I have heard that the ENO (Eagle's Nest Outfitters) hammocks are good, but they have several different suspension systems and I have no idea which would be best for use in the USAFA dorms.
 
ENO hammocks are great. DS slept in one for 2 years. He will need to give you specifics on what he needs to hang it as each room has unique physics on the safest way to hang - height, distance, weight, etc.

My only experience was putting eye bolts into mounted 2x4s in my home (plus camping), so not much help on what would work in a dorm, sorry!
 
xcmum said:
I have a Basic Cadet heading to Jack's Valley in a couple days. Today during his Doolie Day Out calls he requested that we bring a hammock for him to use after A-Day. Does anyone have any experience about what hammocks would be good? How do they hang them up/ what do they attach them to? I have heard that the ENO (Eagle's Nest Outfitters) hammocks are good, but they have several different suspension systems and I have no idea which would be best for use in the USAFA dorms.
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Eno tends to be kind of the face brand of hammocks right now, and they're more expensive than a lot of other brands but they're definitely quality made. I have an Eno and I think the straps I have are called Atlas. If the room has a bunk bed it's really easy to attach the hammock to the bunk bed and one of the desks. It's a little trickier without a bunk bed but you can attach it to two desks, a desk and the rifle racks (that's a little questionable), or a desk and a closet hinge.
 
xcmum said:
Today during his Doolie Day Out calls he requested that we bring a hammock for him to use after A-Day.
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Don't do anything until at least Parents' Weekend. You don't know how his squad is going to feel about Junior sleeping in a hammock when all the other 4*s are sleeping on the floor, in their chairs, etc. You don't want any special attention, even as a 4*, and you don't want to give any impression that you are pampered.
 
Hoodlum15 said:
Eno tends to be kind of the face brand of hammocks right now, and they're more expensive than a lot of other brands but they're definitely quality made. I have an Eno and I think the straps I have are called Atlas. If the room has a bunk bed it's really easy to attach the hammock to the bunk bed and one of the desks. It's a little trickier without a bunk bed but you can attach it to two desks, a desk and the rifle racks (that's a little questionable), or a desk and a closet hinge.
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Purchasing an ENO or other comparable brand from REI is wise. Lifetime warranties!
 
I agree on waiting until PW. Things can change. My DS slept on a hammock most of the first semester because he was in a three person room and had the top bunk which was hard to keep in inspection condition. His roomies slept on their beds so it may depend on their own situation. I do not know of any squadrons last year that didn't allow hammocks. They are also great on an open weekend for the Cadets to take on a hike and steal some quiet sleep as my DS puts it.
 
I asked my DD during the Doolie Day Out call and she confirms what many others have already said - wait at least until Parents Day to give them time to figure out not only what is allowed but what is the norm. None of them want to draw undue attention to themselves.
 
maybe2021 said:
During your first year after basic training, are you allowed to have your own blankets and pillows? I've seen questions centering around this but have never found a super detailed response. Also, what about mattress pads? I know that during your first year you have room inspections... are you allowed to have a mattress pad to make the bed a little more comfortable?
Click to expand...

My Son has requested that we bring him a lightweight sleeping mat, a sheet and a pillow to A-day - seems these are the most popular requested items at this time.
 
Barbie, I would still wait till PW, unless Junior is really uncomfortable. His squad mates are definitely going to take note that he is sleeping on a mat.

I know parents want to do their best for their kids but as ChristCorps will tell you: these young people are ADULTS now, in the US Military. You've not sent Johnny off to Flagship U where he'll complain because his frig is not making enough ice.

Let them do for themselves as much as possible. Send them homemade cookies, or get pizza, FOR THE WHOLE SQUAD (not just for him & his roommates). But please, a little suffering will make them stronger later.
 
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