Useful Items NOT on Your SA Packing List

Wishful

"Land of the free, because of the brave..."
10-Year Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
2,252
So I was thinking of some useful items that would come in handy for the incoming mid/cadet class of 2024 for when they start the academic year. Not items for summer training (those items can be SA Basic Training specific; what's allowed vs. what's not) but something(s) to give during parents-weekend visit.

Blue light filtering glasses (reduces eye strain from computer-screens): DD bought them in Junior year & wished she'd gotten them sooner.
Electric hot water kettle w/temp control- The temp control is for those choosy tea drinkers (& you know who they are) that require specific water temps to brew certain teas. BTW: Due to it's elevation, water boils at 198 degrees at the AFA)
Digital desktop picture frame- Displays a favorite pic or can be put into slideshow mode to display several pics. You can preload it with shots of the family/friends/dog/goldfish, etc. Can give a morale boost during a long week; & they're all long.
Hunting-style Hand/Boot Warmers Packs: -For all those "free" football games your cadet/mid gets to go to! Traditionally been hard to find item in Walmart when the weather turns...& that was pre-COVID.
Fox River Socks- Lots of posts on them.
Thermal Underwear-At least a set of heavy & a set of light. I like Marino wool as it doesn't itch.

Please feel free to add to this list! And congrats to the Class!!
 
So I was thinking of some useful items that would come in handy for the incoming mid/cadet class of 2024 for when they start the academic year. Not items for summer training (those items can be SA Basic Training specific; what's allowed vs. what's not) but something(s) to give during parents-weekend visit.

Blue light filtering glasses (reduces eye strain from computer-screens): DD bought them in Junior year & wished she'd gotten them sooner.
Electric hot water kettle w/temp control- The temp control is for those choosy tea drinkers (& you know who they are) that require specific water temps to brew certain teas. BTW: Due to it's elevation, water boils at 198 degrees at the AFA)
Digital desktop picture frame- Displays a favorite pic or can be put into slideshow mode to display several pics. You can preload it with shots of the family/friends/dog/goldfish, etc. Can give a morale boost during a long week; & they're all long.
Hunting-style Hand/Boot Warmers Packs: -For all those "free" football games your cadet/mid gets to go to! Traditionally been hard to find item in Walmart when the weather turns...& that was pre-COVID.
Fox River Socks- Lots of posts on them.
Thermal Underwear-At least a set of heavy & a set of light. I like Marino wool as it doesn't itch.

Please feel free to add to this list! And congrats to the Class!!

Thank You for this!
 
There is nothing quite so wonderful as 100% silk long underwear, because it's warm but not thick. It can easily be worn under a uniform without changing the fit of the uniform. You can wear "long underwear" without anyone knowing.
 
A basic medicine kit : digital thermometer, band-aids, antacids, ibuprofen, sinus meds, anti-itch crème, first-aid crème, cough meds, etc. Put into a small plastic case with a lid. Recommend buying medicine in pill form for easier storage.
 
For the ladies: Capazio Hairpins
 
I am just going to come out and admit to it that I sent certain Plebes (whom shall not be named) flat flashlights like this in a care package, so deftly hidden that the Detailers didn't find them.
1589309404372.png
*2024 Detailers scribbling notes about this, right now...
 
Aquaphor is pretty good stuff, too. I used it like body glide while hiking in the Rockies, and it was great on blisters, too.
 
Used both Body Glide and Aquaphor during marathon training / races. Both are terrific and petroleum jelly is good in a pinch. Liner socks work wonders as well...even if mine were from Injinji (so that i could wear my Vibrams). 👣
 
@Capt MJ recommended the hairpins for my DD several years ago & they work out great.
 
1) FOOT BEDS! for those black shoes--- custom, semi-custom, or off the rack any of these will be a big improvement of Std issue
2) Heated socks or footbeds for "Mandatory fun/freeze your ____ off" football games.
3) one of these for the rifle:

Buy new:
$29.95




& FREE Shipping. Details& FREE Returns
Want it Thursday, May 14? Order within 13 hrs 6 mins and choose Two-Day Shipping at checkout.Details


In Stock.


Qty: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Qty:1

Add to Cart

Buy Now
Secure transaction
Sold by Cube tracker and Fulfilled by Amazon in easy-to-open packaging.
Item arrives in packaging that reveals what's inside. To hide it, choose Ship in Amazon packaging at checkout.









IncludeAdd a Protection Plan:
3 Year Portable Electronic Accident Protection Plan for$2.99
2 Year Portable Electronic Accident Protection Plan for$1.99









Add gift options





Select delivery location
Buy used:
$25.08





Add to List


New & Used (3) from
$24.29 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00

3 New & Used from $24.29 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00
Share






Have one to sell?Sell on Amazon


Ad feedback




  • 317y9FY%2BMuL._AC_US40_.jpg
  • 41-UdbyGX0L._AC_US40_.jpg
  • 51aRaMkNQeL._AC_US40_.jpg
  • 518P1tzm46L._AC_US40_.jpg
  • 411k9VsQWEL._AC_US40_.jpg
  • 41N6KEmwu0L._AC_US40_.jpg
  • 41stPcZPw0L.SS40_BG85,85,85_BR-120_PKdp-play-icon-overlay__.jpg
    VIDEO













0:00
 
Oops, I just saw how my post is displaying here. I was cracking-wise about "the never lose your keys chip" and some hard to find rifles last year.

I didn't mean to screw up this thread, I think it is helpful. If mods can remove it; its OK by me.

Foot-beds and heated socks remain a solid recommendation though
 
Noise cancelling headphones for ac year
Neck pillow for airplane flights
Thin long underwear for football games
Gel style shoe liner/inserts-Dr. Scholl brand?
All according to my "commissioning in a few more days" firstie.
 
Last edited:
DS said three of the best things he received during SWAB summer were -

1) a small night vision flashlight for use after lights out. I found a nice one on Amazon for about $10.
2) Lincoln black shoe polish - way better than Kiwi brand - cadre said he had some of the best polished boots in his company.
3) an inexpensive electric razor (for touch ups) - he only used it during swab summer - then tossed it later.

Parents - if you don't have Amazon Prime, get it! The free shipping is worth the cost of membership and your cadet / mid can also use it during his/her time at acedemy. DS still utilizes our family Prime account in the fleet.
 
Noise cancelling headphones for ac year
Neck pillow for airplane flights
Thin long underwear for football games
Gel style shoe liner/inserts-Dr. Scholl brand?
All according to my "commissioning in a few more days" firstie.
Are they not issued long underwear? To me it seems a basic thing (coming from TX it would be really cold to me). I wear it here in the winter if outside all day at a game or something.
 
Are they not issued long underwear? To me it seems a basic thing (coming from TX it would be really cold to me). I wear it here in the winter if outside all day at a game or something.

AFAIK, no. I sent him a pair or two during his plebe year at his request. I bought them at a local sporting goods store.
 
Back
Top