I have heard from past years' mom that the linen supplier source is very good and all were satifisied - only item that had any question was the blanket -it didnt wear as well as they have expected.
From our experience I purchased a quilt like coverlet - from target, that year 09 - plain black on one side and white with black pinstripe on other. My son found the quilt like cover good and it went thru the laundry system well.
As for the sheets - I can tell you all that whatever the XL twin size is will be good enough. The RATS must learn the VMI way to make their hay - that hay as far as I can tell is a standard twin size. So the flat XL from whereever will be great.
I too have been happy with IKEA - always knew their cabinets rated higher than most other brands on market - but I have discovered that their duvets, duvet covers and sheets really hold up well.
It is real tough to find sheets sold seperately - so IKEA is probably the best bet . Last year I found Wal mart also sold brand think it was better homes, each piece singly - dont know if they have the XL flat twin this summer or not.
If yous cadet has/is attending STP then you now have a real sense of barracks but the laundry isn't operating during STP. The cadets do send their laundry out think its 1/wk, while there is a set or two of washing machines on the Institute, the RATS will hardly have time to go do laundry - so the numbers of items are on high side, but for those first months, with heat and their activity and laundry 1/wk - they will go thru it.
I offer the following:
My son is a 1sr - I can say that I haven't had to purchase any new towels or sheets. Each May, upon his return, I have weeded out those used more during the past year, VMI had new equipment installed in laundry about 1 yr ago, but honestly, this past May cant say that I noticed much improvement. We have had to replace the white tees and most of all the socks each yr. The legend is true - the laundry seems to eat some amount of socks. etc - but really has never been a real issue - certanly not during the year.
We thought STP was well worth the effort, hope your cadet(s) found it so. Historically about 50% of the incoming class attend STP.
So, welcome aboard - look forward to seeing all the new faces next month. larrys mom