Plebe Packing List

USNA_TF_12

5-Year Member
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Aug 2, 2014
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I know there have been a few threads on this in the past but I thought it would be a good idea to make a comprehensive list of:
  • What to bring on I Day
  • What to have parents send during plebe summer
  • What to have parents bring during PPW
I think there are some obvious items for all of these occasions(listed in PTR), but I think there's a lot I(and others) may not be thinking about/may forget.
 
My Plebe took NOTHING but his PTR package on I-day. I mailed some care package items to help get through plebe summer. Gold Bond Powder, inserts for sneakers, bandaids and something called moleskin for blisters. I also sent some snacks and his favorite toiletries. I am ashamed to say that many of those toiletry items came home with him at the end of PLEBE Year. I think I overdid it.

I have no insights on PPW because we live in Maryland and DS was able to come home for a few hours
 
We just caught in the paperwork that they must have their actual SS card in hand on I-Day. We will bring DS his passport on PPW.
 
"Body Glide" to prevent blisters and chafing. Compression shorts.
 
Anyone have any info for those of us entering on I day minus two or one? Should we be bringing anything extra?
 
We photo copied DS entire PTR and his shot record--I had those with me--heard stories of those items being lost and plebes having to redo all shots. DS only had a scientific calculator--had heard to bring those for testing--don't know if he needed it or not, cleats for soccer, passport, cell phone and charger --in zip locked Baggie with his name- -(taken and stored during PS)--drivers license, and 1 extra pair of sliders. He was wearing his well worn running shoes. And that was it.

He later told us NOT to ship the gold bond powder I had purchased earlier--he said he was given more than enough! We shipped small American flags and holders and other misc small things from the PO in Annapolis. His first phone call he requested several more pairs of black and white sliders--that was all he ever asked us to send him.
 
If you showed up for I-Day empty-handed, you will be fine. You can even forget your Permit to Report! They will know who you are and that you are a member of the incoming class.

Probably the best three things to bring are 1) running shoes that are broke in 2) a shot record and 3) information regarding the expense for your flight. But, even if you forget those things, you will still be fine. You may get some additional, unnecessary shots. You may have to use the shoes they issue you. You may have to wait to get information about your flight and fill out additional paperwork at a later date - none of which is a disaster.

In fact, I would say most people bring too much stuff - some of which they will not be allowed to keep. They are very springloaded to disallow whatever you bring.
 
Women might want to bring a half-dozen sports bras. They will issue some, but they may not fit as well as those you purchase yourself. Make sure they are white or nude in color and cotton in material.
 
Should i take my electric razor/charger, toothbrush, and other toiletries or are they not allowed?
 
You will be supplied with all of that. If I recall correctly no electric razors---might be recalling incorrectly.
 
We photo copied DS entire PTR and his shot record--I had those with me--heard stories of those items being lost and plebes having to redo all shots. DS only had a scientific calculator--had heard to bring those for testing--don't know if he needed it or not, cleats for soccer, passport, cell phone and charger --in zip locked Baggie with his name- -(taken and stored during PS)--drivers license, and 1 extra pair of sliders. He was wearing his well worn running shoes. And that was it.

He later told us NOT to ship the gold bond powder I had purchased earlier--he said he was given more than enough! We shipped small American flags and holders and other misc small things from the PO in Annapolis. His first phone call he requested several more pairs of black and white sliders--that was all he ever asked us to send him.

What are sliders?
 
Many people are making good suggestions about what to bring. Your Plebe will probably (eventually) find all those things useful. Nonetheless, many of those items will be bagged up and not given to the Plebe until Plebe Summer is over - which creates the possibility that some of those items may end up missing ... like a passport! They will not need their passport at any time during Plebe Summer.

Many of these items can be brought to your Plebe during Plebe Parents Weekend.

It goes without saying that your Plebe should bring their cellphone and charger. In this era, what millennial doesn't have their cellphone with them? It's practically an appendage! :)
 
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DS' sponsor parent said for him to bring nothing but the required PTR docs, cell phone and charger. I'm good with that!
 
DS' sponsor parent said for him to bring nothing but the required PTR docs, cell phone and charger. I'm good with that!

Has he talked to his sponsor family already this year? Or is this from a previous year? I didn't think they released sponsor parent info yet.
 
USNA_TF_12, yes, DS requested family acquaintance who have been sponsor parents for a while when he filled out the on-line form.
 
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