Items to bring to VMI

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caesarbc

Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2018
Messages
21
Hello everyone,
My son will be a Rat at VMI in August. Does anyone who has experience in this have any recommendations for the following:
  • Hydration backpack - brand, how many ounces, etc?
  • Socks - I know they need athletic socks, combat boot socks and dress socks...all with no logos. Any suggestions on these?
  • Civilian outfit - Any recommendations on this as well? A long sleeve shirt or short sleeve and I am assuming khaki pants.
  • Are compression shorts really needed?
  • My son wears a retainer at night for his teeth. Is that ok?
  • He will be participating in track/ cross country there. What do the sports teams wear for practice?
Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks!
 
Does your DS have the VMI Handbook for this year? Here is a link in case he does not:
https://www.vmi.edu/media/content-assets/documents/corps-life/2019-Cadet-Handbook_web.pdf

Follow the list in the handbook and in the quantities listed - nothing more and nothing less. If he needs something later on you can always mail it or bring it Parents Weekend.
I think the handbook spells out the answers to most of your questions, but I'll expand on a few.
  • Make sure the hydration pack is black and as plain as possible.
  • Socks - again, plain no logos.
  • Civilian outfit - collared shirt, khakis are good. Don't forget closed toe shoes.
  • Definitely bring compression shorts. Reason #1 - they are on the list; Reason #2 they help with chaffing and he will need them.
  • Can't answer the retainer question with confidence, but I would think it's fine if he needs it. If a current cadet doesn't chime in I'll ask my DS.
  • Not sure on this either.
Again, stick to the packing list in the handbook.

Congratulations to your DS and good luck. Respond if you still have questions.
 
caesarbc said:
Hello everyone,
My son will be a Rat at VMI in August. Does anyone who has experience in this have any recommendations for the following:
  • Hydration backpack - brand, how many ounces, etc?
  • Socks - I know they need athletic socks, combat boot socks and dress socks...all with no logos. Any suggestions on these?
  • Civilian outfit - Any recommendations on this as well? A long sleeve shirt or short sleeve and I am assuming khaki pants.
  • Are compression shorts really needed?
  • My son wears a retainer at night for his teeth. Is that ok?
  • He will be participating in track/ cross country there. What do the sports teams wear for practice?
Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Current Cadet here:
The retainer is fine.
If the handbook still says some ridiculous number of compression shorts, you don’t need all of those if you’re DS likes the ones built in to Gym Dyke (if he went to STP). He’ll want them to wear with ACUs though.
 
In that case, definitely bring all 7. I recall it being even more than 14...but it’s been a while.
 
Thank you all for the feedback. I have read the handbook and understand what is needed. My questions about socks centered around particular brand that people would recommend, particularly for the combat boot socks.
 
caesarbc said:
Thank you all for the feedback. I have read the handbook and understand what is needed. My questions about socks centered around particular brand that people would recommend, particularly for the combat boot socks.
Click to expand...

For athletic socks, I know gold toe has no logos.
For boot socks, I’m a big fan of Fox River. I also wear them with my low quarters rather than the very thin dress socks. I don’t know if this has changed, but it used to specify black boot socks as opposed to the appropriate shade of green. If that’s still the case you may choose to wear your boot socks with your low quarters.
 
I think my son had Thorlo boot socks = black. He got plain white athletic socks and plain black dress socks at Walmart. I don't recall the size of his hydration pack but for some reason 70oz sticks in my head - all black. For civvies khaki pants / shorts and a polo style shirt will be fine. short sleeve should work since he won't be able to leave post in civvies until after breakout anyway.

My son did not play a sport but I think they practice in gym dyke, could be wrong but VMI is very efficient, if he needs something in particular for cross country they will either tell him or provide it.

If you have not joined the Rat Mass 2020+3 parent page on facebook I recommend it, you will find lots of good information there.

Best of luck to your rat.
 
I'm not sure how much shopping you've done, but this is a great baseline, one-stop shop you can go to. It's where I got some of my gear, hasn't let me down yet!

http://www.linensupplier.com/product/cadet-supply-pack/

I'm not sure, but there was a promo code: GOVT. It may or may not work, it's been a minute.

https://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-626...ion+pack&qid=1564412197&s=gateway&sr=8-7&th=1

This is the CamelBak most cadets matriculated with. I will say that I've gotten near the 3 Liter capacity once or twice, but if you're looking for something a little bit more cost-effective, you could go with:

https://lapolicegear.com/lapg-bg-eh...rUyjF39I_Bk68ypoJ1CWRaxRQgFbufmUaAuXSEALw_wcB

As far as Civvies are concerned, you're not going to see them until November/ February. Pack some pants, and just make sure they aren't 'trashy.'

Sorry for the long post, I hope at least some of this helps!
 
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