Shopping for school.....

Any advantage to a steamer vs and iron? We were the guests of our local parents association last month and someone mentioned their son had been something of a celebrity for having a small clothes steamer.

Personally, I'd think an iron is far better for the desired creases, etc. like in your pants but I'd hope one of the current mids could chime in here since the uniform materials, etc. are very different than when I was a mid and my own DS is a) in the South China Sea right now, and b) not that into the "Regimetal Stuff" so even if not ideal he'd likely go with the steamer since as fa as the regimental stuff even though he's in third co, i suspect he tries to get as close to a "2.0 and go" on the regimental stuff.

Thankfully on the academics side his approach is very different.:wink:
 
shoe polish

During Indoc the candidates WILL use shoe polish for war paint on themselves as company differentiation at some of the events and later during the game for Parents weekend. :rolleyes:

Shoe polish, according to the MSDS, has carcinogenic properties, contains Benzene and, probably, is not meant to be used as body paint.

You might consider a tube of body marking paint, like what the footballers use under their eyes to minimize the carcinogenic exposure.
 
We packed everything in a big duffle bag that he got in the army/navy store. Rememebr they lug everything around during Indoc. I sent the cleaning supplies and school supplies the week after we dropped him off. I also sent extra contacts and school supplies.
 
the 2014 Logging in should be available within a week or two. It will have everything that the candidates need. Also, the new version of plebe parent tips is available. They should be posted on the Parents website within a few weeks.

:wink:If you wish a copy of them send me an email: kpmom2011@yahoo.com.
 
Staples and Office Depot both have delivery service. If you are on a Staples club card the delivery is free and I have noticed that the order arrives within 48 hours after I have e mailed it in.

Often times I write out the order form, send my son via e mail what I have ordered and ask him if there is anything else he needs.

It has been a long time since indoc for us, I recollect my son taking all he needed in a green military duffle bag and it sufficed, we pretty much stuck to the list.

He found very useful those Tide spot remover pens when he has to wear his whites.

Self addressed stamped envelopes gave insurance to get an occassional letter sent home.

We had a going away party before he left, at the party I had a basket of blank cards and asked all the guests to write notes of encouragement. Then I sent 2 or three out every couple of days. It was good for his spirits during indoc and the first weeks of school.

I don't know what the real regulations are but I sent a lot of packages. If the candidate has a place they go to that is considered "non regimented" they take their package immediately to that place and can open it and the stuff is theirs. If they take it back to their room it will most likely be confiscated.
 
Ah, yes, Tide to Go pens! They work on the khakis too. DD was very popular once folks discovered that they really do work. We sent her with three and had to supply more by Parents Weekend.
 
Ah, yes, Tide to Go pens! They work on the khakis too. DD was very popular once folks discovered that they really do work. We sent her with three and had to supply more by Parents Weekend.

yup, as do shout wipes. dont use anything with bleach on the whites though- it makes them go yellow. also, after using either the tide pen or shout wipes on khakis, wet out the area with water or there will be a very discernable "ring" around the area in which it was used. just blotting the area with a wet cloth or something afterward gets rid of that until you can wash them.
 
A/C in the barracks!!!! Man, KP has gone soft. It is just a matter of time before the school closes because of how far the quality of graduates will be slipping.

Just kidding, but seriously I can distinctly remember my morale tumbling as the large hall fans slowed to a stop while our whole company was standing at attention in the hall during indoc.

- Be sure they have at least one or more t-shirt that is 100% cotton. It is the best for shining shoes. Blends would actually dull the shine.
- Look into black sweat socks. I would have to wear my white socks under the black socks because the black ones where polyester and my feet would sweat like no tomorrow.
- When washing khakis try to get them out of the washer as soon as the wash cycle is done. If you hang dry them instead of putting them in the dryer small wrinkles will work themselves out, the creases will stay pretty sharp and you won't have to hardly iron them. When I was on active duty I didn't iron my khakis for literally years except may a small touch up every few months.
- Definitely stock up on baby powder for bodies and shoes. Assuming things are relatively the same as when I went in the mid-90s, we only got a decent shower on Sunday. The rest of the week you only had time to walk around the shower room and get somewhat wet by the six shower heads.

The only clothing I brought with me other than the clothes on my back were underwear, t-shirts and socks. You almost can't have enough of those. Other than what is on the list to bring you won't really need anything else before acceptance day.
 
Just kidding, but seriously I can distinctly remember my morale tumbling as the large hall fans slowed to a stop while our whole company was standing at attention in the hall during indoc.

Ahh, the memories...I had to laugh at that one because I know exactly what you are talking about.
 
question about school award ceremony

It's great to read these posts. I am really anxious about what's coming up for our family as we get ready to send our son away!

Does anyone know if it is possible to have someone come to my son's high school award ceremony to present the appointment to the Academy? I know this isn't the subject of this thread, but I wasn't sure where else to go to post this (obviously I'm a new user). :smile: I tried calling the admissions office, but I couldn't reach anyone. I'll keep trying, but I thought maybe one of you might know.

Veteran moms, keep the advice coming. I'm taking notes so I won't be LOST when we receive the Logging In document.

Thanks so much!
 
It's great to read these posts. I am really anxious about what's coming up for our family as we get ready to send our son away!

Does anyone know if it is possible to have someone come to my son's high school award ceremony to present the appointment to the Academy? I know this isn't the subject of this thread, but I wasn't sure where else to go to post this (obviously I'm a new user). :smile: I tried calling the admissions office, but I couldn't reach anyone. I'll keep trying, but I thought maybe one of you might know.

Veteran moms, keep the advice coming. I'm taking notes so I won't be LOST when we receive the Logging In document.

Thanks so much!
Welcome aboard! Here's the thread about appointment presentations: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=11840.
 
Alumni can also make the presentation the academy has a scrpit. e-mail and they will send it to you.
 
USAA Renters Insurance

Noted that the items listed, all of which are good things to bring, were mainly of the common sense items (body glide, etc.). One thing I wish we or DS had boiught on Day 1 that is available was USAA Renter's Insurance (~41/year) for Midn'.

He has it now but it would have paid for itself 30+ times over when he inadvertantly left his computer oin the Amtrak train when he was returning to KP from a spring weekend liberty at home here in DC. It covers their computers and several other things that could come in handy and it's was only $41.00/year when we bought it the first time last year. If it went up, it can't have been all that much since DS paid for the renewal and if it went up too much he might have reconsidered "betting against himself."
 
My DS will be attending KP in July and I have seen the list of white socks, underwear etc. but what about shoes, dress socks etc. Will we have to purchase those items later on? Any help on what else is needed would be greatly appreciated.
 
Just bring what is on the list and a few extras that the parents have suggested
(Gold Bond powder etc.) Everything else will be provided to them.
 
Things to send after indoc

here are a few things I think are neccessary post indoc for a plebe.

  • Never Dull brass polisher or semicrome polish
  • a pair of nylons for shining shoes
  • a fan (no matter what company. Even in the renavated barracks some rooms air conditioning units do not work and most likley will not get fixed in a timely manner)
  • a computer mouse
  • more body wash and shampoo (I recomend bringing mens body wash to indoc not bar soap. when you are in a rush to get clean it saves a lot of time and everyone shares)
  • an electric razor
  • external hardrive
  • waterbottle
  • entertaining books (these will be passed along from person to person)
  • Duct tape(also to be brought to indoc)
  • a watch
  • hair clippers

also the best stain remover i am yet to come by is called Multi Purpose Goop Hand cleaner

its website is www.goophandcleaner.com

it will take out any type of enevitable stain.
 
Toddman,

People keep talking about stuff to bring etc, would you have family send stuff after indoc? I've seen a lot of lists out there of what others recommend but obviously you wouldn't want/need to bring all that stuff to indoc. How much time is in between indoc and when the first semmester starts? Previous comments have mentioned getting cheap undergarments and then replacing them all after indoc but parents weekend isn't for another month after indoc is over, correct? Thanks for the help.
 
Time metween indoc and first trimester

There are currently 4 days between the end of indoc and the begining of first trimester. the things I listed, send so that they arrive in those 4 days. other important items to send before first trimester are note books and school supplies. The NEX will run out.

Have your plebe pick out there prefered notebooks and binders prior to coming to indoc. I personally like to have five star notebooks but the NEX only carries cheap notebooks.

Definatley send a post indoc package. also get a skype account prior to your ds or dd leaving.
 
For Indoc...pack what is listed in the logging in with maybe a few more pairs of underwear. If you bring things that are not allowed....you won't be able to have them so why bother brining the things?
 
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