Hint: Buy ziploc 2 gallon bags and pack them like you would your drawers. That way you can kind of vacuum seal them and just whip everything out right into the drawers when you get there.
Agree! I would add place any and all liquids in separate ziploc bags. I.E. Shampoo, soap, shaving cream, toothpaste, sun block/screen. If you don't you risk that the lid from the shaving cream will get loose and during the flight spray your clothes.
~ This is what every ADAF officer I know does for their own deployments. My kids are so accustomed to doing this that they know no other way to pack for trips than to place any and all liquids in a ziploc bag.
I would also say that unless things have changed, you will bring that bag home with you until you leave for your Max date. IE if you go to Max 5, than it will be in your home from the time you left school after finals until the day you leave. There is another trick besides the ziploc.
Step 1: Take the uniforms to the dry cleaners. Ask for HEAVY starch.
Step 2: Place boots, binders, etc on the bottom.
Step 3: Take the dry cleaner items and now place the tee shirts on top...fold it like the shirt is tissue paper (ask Mom). The tee shirt will be a barrier and stop the wrinkles on the pants and shirts. Plus, because it is a barrier it will not get wrinkled either.
I will also say to parents, this is the time to think about buying dress blues because when they commission it becomes expensive from a uniform sake. We purchased for our DS 2 prs of dress blues and shirts before he left.
~ He handed back the AFROTC supplied pants and shirts at the beginning of his 300.
~~ Xmas present was his Mess Dress.
~~~ At graduation because we started buying uniforms his spring sophomore year, he was able to hand back all of the uniforms and get that BAS check instead of taking the uniform he wore for his AFROTC career since he was a freshman.