Ultimate CBT Packing List and Some Tips

vipercrew said:
The R Day packing list includes everything cadet candidate will need. A backpack for the AY will be issued, and dont forget, you can shop at the cstore which has the school supplies. In addition, following A Day, cadets can go shopping in the surrounding towns. In Woodbury which is close by, there is a Target, Walmart, Office Depot, etc. that has anything else a cadet feels they need. Our DS purchased things that he felt would help during the school year like a shower caddy, plastic bins that fit under his bed to organize that space, etc. BUT it is best to see what the cadet may want and need AFTER they are there.
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ok great thanks. how do they get to the stores?
 
Aleks said:
ok great thanks. how do they get to the stores?
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Off campus stores will require a parent, or to tag along with another cadet and their parents. But that will be following ADay when you have leave. The CStore is located at Theyer Hall, which is 550 yards from the chow hall.
 
vipercrew said:
Off campus stores will require a parent, or to tag along with another cadet and their parents. But that will be following ADay when you have leave. The CStore is located at Theyer Hall, which is 550 yards from the chow hall.
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ok thanks!
 
Was wondering if there are items that women should bring in addition to what is here, any help would be appreciated.
 
echo2006 said:
Was wondering if there are items that women should bring in addition to what is here, any help would be appreciated.
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I'd recommend bringing some sort of spandex shorts to wear under ACUs since chaffing can be a big problem during the rucks. I personally did not have a problem with it (I think I just got lucky) but my roommates during Beast had trouble with it. I'd also recommend bringing extra hair ties, bobby pins, hair gel, anything to do your hair to military regulation with, etc. Whatever you decide to do with your hair, whether braid or bun, my tip is to just figure out a way to to do it fast since you will not have much time in the mornings to get ready!
 
We have been looking for the black dress shoes. do they have to be a particular brand? looks like USMA said Bootmaker or Altama but they are hard to find. Any tips?
 
Aleks said:
We have been looking for the black dress shoes. do they have to be a particular brand? looks like USMA said Bootmaker or Altama but they are hard to find. Any tips?
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West Point store was the only place we could find the altama O2. Bookmaker said WP store was the only place their shoes were available
 
Aleks said:
We have been looking for the black dress shoes. do they have to be a particular brand? looks like USMA said Bootmaker or Altama but they are hard to find. Any tips?
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I can't recall the exact model or where I bought mine, but please ensure that you do NOT buy the pre-shined Corfram shoes as these are a no go. They must be the dull normal version, so the NC can shine them.
 
Aleks said:
ok great thanks. how do they get to the stores?
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Your Plebe's Team Leader will guide them around the entirety of Reorgy Week (they're not allowed to go anywhere on their own then) and will take them to all the issue points for their backpacks, computer, monitor, etc. as well as to the C-Store to buy folders, notebooks ... Like others said, I would not recommend buying anything major until he/she gets a fell for what they actually need. On A-Day, there is a SAMI (a major room inspection) so there's not much they can have or store until later on.

Some nice items that are definitely allowed:
- 1 US, state, or military unit flag for the wall,
- A family picture stand
- A comfortable pillow or blanket
- Journal/Diary to reflect on their USMA experience
- Bible, leadership books, Art of War, etc.
- Coffee Machine or a nice mug
- A nice mouse and a mousepad (they don't issue these and I highly recommend this as a gift)
- A fancy watch that they can use for the many formal banquets and balls at USMA

The point being is that your Plebe will figure out a way to get their calculator, pens, and folders that week before school starts. There is little opportunity for them to get the above list which is where you can help them out with a memorable gift.
 
thesword76 said:
Your Plebe's Team Leader will guide them around the entirety of Reorgy Week (they're not allowed to go anywhere on their own then) and will take them to all the issue points for their backpacks, computer, monitor, etc. as well as to the C-Store to buy folders, notebooks ... Like others said, I would not recommend buying anything major until he/she gets a fell for what they actually need. On A-Day, there is a SAMI (a major room inspection) so there's not much they can have or store until later on.

Some nice items that are definitely allowed:
- 1 US, state, or military unit flag for the wall,
- A family picture stand
- A comfortable pillow or blanket
- Journal/Diary to reflect on their USMA experience
- Bible, leadership books, Art of War, etc.
- Coffee Machine or a nice mug
- A nice mouse and a mousepad (they don't issue these and I highly recommend this as a gift)
- A fancy watch that they can use for the many formal banquets and balls at USMA

The point being is that your Plebe will figure out a way to get their calculator, pens, and folders that week before school starts. There is little opportunity for them to get the above list which is where you can help them out with a memorable gift.
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If in doubt on the shoes, just buy them on the CStore shoe form. Those ARE the right ones. The link JackRussellRacing provided does look like the correct shoe. As thesword76 said, DO NOT GET THE PRE-SHINED SHOES.

Once the AY starts, cadets will figure out what they will want, and, that will change as the year goes on. Amazon can be your friend here. I setup my DS's address as a ship to, and he figures out what he needs, and gets it. Shipping is free, and its there in a couple of days. Easy. There is nothing that they cant get locally that is a "must have." External items are comfort "wants" that they need to figure out while they are there. We have been (and still go through it now and then) times where my wife will go "Momma Bear" and want to send a big box of stuff, but that just fills up their precious little space with stuff they may not want.
 
The shoes posted https://originalfootwear.com/collections/altama/products/uniform-oxford are compliant but my DS ordered them and they are a size larger than stated for his normal shoe. The other brand suggested is the Bootmakers Oxford 2468. However, these are only sold to stores and right now only WP will have them sooner than most. I contacted the CEO of the Bootmaker company and she stated that USMA Exchange store will be receiving their shipment in April and if you have any issues with ordering then call Jeannie the store manager at 845-446-5446 x502. It is important that you have your DS or DD measure their foot with the Brannock tool (found in most shoe stores) as some of the other measurement tools may not give an accurate read. Make sure the shoes do not have heel slip with the type of sock and thickness your cadet will be wearing. It will lead to blistering.
 
Had a question on laundry, are cadets allowed to use the laundry machines to wash their own clothes during CBT? I am under the impression that laundry is hard to do for some reason?
 
echo2006 said:
Had a question on laundry, are cadets allowed to use the laundry machines to wash their own clothes during CBT? I am under the impression that laundry is hard to do for some reason?
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No, new cadets are not allowed to use the laundry machines. Depending on your platoon, laundry is done 2-3 times during CBT. New cadets will fill out laundry slips and give their dirty laundry for the cadre to take care of. Therefore sink laundry is a must for socks especially, so bring soap and a quick dry towel. Also, NCs can’t hang their wet sink laundry to dry in their room, they have to put it away in a drawer. So that small quick dry towel will be very helpful.
 
chalktherock said:
No, new cadets are not allowed to use the laundry machines. Depending on your platoon, laundry is done 2-3 times during CBT. New cadets will fill out laundry slips and give their dirty laundry for the cadre to take care of. Therefore sink laundry is a must for socks especially, so bring soap and a quick dry towel. Also, NCs can’t hang their wet sink laundry to dry in their room, they have to put it away in a drawer. So that small quick dry towel will be very helpful.
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Thanks for the insights. I assume towels can be hung dry?
 
echo2006 said:
Was wondering if there are items that women should bring in addition to what is here, any help would be appreciated.
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Second the comment on bringing black spandex without logos. Absolute life saver from chafing.

Additionally, bring enough feminine hygiene products to get through the summer if you didn’t have a chance to get to the C store because of training and/or you have a specific brand preference in case the C store doesn’t carry it. You’ll have the opportunity to shop at the PX and commissary during the academic year which has more variety.

Goes in the same vein with the comment on bringing extra hair ties/bobby pins/hair gel or spray. Figure out how you can quickly tame your hair so it looks professional with only five minutes of prep in the morning.

Third, bring comfortable sports bras that are black or white in color. The issued ones suck (if they’re still issuing them…they were the same ones issued to Soldiers at AIT. They provide very little support and wear out quickly). Laundry can be at a premium. Leave the colorful ones for the academic year.

Otherwise, same as the guys for the rest of the packing list. Feel free to hit me up if you have specific questions with regards to field hygiene or other girl specific concerns directly if you want.
 
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