What should I take to BCT?

[qkrrlxo]

hey, I'm shipping out to bct in 2 weeks and just want to get to know what i should have and take? such as shower shoes? towels? extra cloth, soap, tooth brush? etc? can someone tell me what else i should take?

[SteveLord]

I would take stamps. The essential stuff you'll be purchasing most likely when you get there.

[tyler1124]

Stamps, envolopes, address's, and paper... everything else you will buy at Reception or issued to you.

[shutterm4]

Pictures. Search for the rest. This thread has been repeated a million times.

[mryan525]

Pictures. Search for the rest. This thread has been repeated a million times.

Additionally, your recruiter/RSP unit/whoever will give you a packing list.

[knave]

I just got back and I followed the packing list and brought lots of stuff I couldn't use.

I knew we were going to buy most stuff so I packed light, but as it was I didn't need to bring a towel or shower shoes since the ones I brought were not standard issue. I would bring at least one lock because I was at reception for a day or two before going to the PX and I couldn't secure my locker. That said the 2 pack of combo locks is pretty cheap at the PX.

I brought stamps and envelops but bought paper there, worked ok...you can get stamps at the PX too.

If I were to go again I would take as little stuff as posssible, 1 change of civillian clothes, one lock, a small amount of hygene stuff, and my documentation. Buy everything else at the PX.

I was lucky and brought a suitable pair of running shoes. I would wear those and leave all other civ footwear behind. Your results may vary on the shoes though.

You are issued 3 brown towels FYI. (they **** so I used the one I bought at the PX most of the time.)

[shutterm4]

You are issued 3 brown towels FYI. (they **** so I used the one I bought at the PX most of the time.)

Most likely the towels wont be big enough to wrap around yourself and cover your rear. I know mine werent and i am a small guy.

[Farah]

I just got back and I followed the packing list and brought lots of stuff I couldn't use.

I knew we were going to buy most stuff so I packed light, but as it was I didn't need to bring a towel or shower shoes since the ones I brought were not standard issue. I would bring at least one lock because I was at reception for a day or two before going to the PX and I couldn't secure my locker. That said the 2 pack of combo locks is pretty cheap at the PX.

I brought stamps and envelops but bought paper there, worked ok...you can get stamps at the PX too.

If I were to go again I would take as little stuff as posssible, 1 change of civillian clothes, one lock, a small amount of hygene stuff, and my documentation. Buy everything else at the PX.

I was lucky and brought a suitable pair of running shoes. I would wear those and leave all other civ footwear behind. Your results may vary on the shoes though.

You are issued 3 brown towels FYI. (they **** so I used the one I bought at the PX most of the time.)

And a phone card for the calls...

[PFC Lowe]

Forget the RSP packing list and just pay attention to what you see here. I followed the RSP list and had so much junk to pull out (and remember it has to be packed back in on DS time) when I got to reception and the DS made us empty our bags to check for contraband. Bring the absolute minimum because when it comes time to get on that bus to head to your BCT co you will be carrying all of your issued items, the necessities you bought at the PX, and your own gear.

[tyler1124]

And if your DS is like ours, we had to hold our bags above our head while they gave us our inital briefing, so the less stuff you bring, the more your arms will appreciate it.

[knave]

And a phone card for the calls...

This is a good point, I was fortunate in that I bought a 750 minute card for $20 before I left. The phone cards offered in reception and at the PX are much more expensive.

[31Brecruit]

Ok here is something really wierd but worked good for me. The cheap Old Navy flip flops lol. Everyone got the ones from reception and I had brought my 5 dollar ones with me. There's broke every few weeks and mine lasted all 19 weeks :-).

*I'm corny, I know

[Farah]

Yea, he did the same -bought a phonecard before he left, and by the time you guys were done, it was being passed around because the 4 phonecalls that had been allowed didn't really go that far into the minutes...

[PFC Lowe]

My co made us buy the 89 cents thong flip flops for showers. Mine lasted all 19 weeks.

[31Brecruit]

My co made us buy the 89 cents thong flip flops for showers. Mine lasted all 19 weeks.

Lol, I think it had something to do with only having size 6 flip flops at the shopette. Looked akward on a 6', 200 lb guy...

[clyde]

I'm sticking with the packing list I received at RSP on Wednesday:

Shave/hygean kit/soap/Tooth brush
1 civilain Shirt/pant/socks/underwear
1 towel/wash cloth
Keyed pad lock
Phone cards
Pre-addressed, stamped envelopes
Notebook / paper / pen
Cell phone and Charger
MP3 player and Charger
Electric trimmer (for use at AIT to save money on my hair cuts)

I know some of these items will be taken from me at basic, but some MAY be given back and be used. Either way, I'm not too worried about it. I'd want to take my lap top, but there will not be internet service available while I'm at FT Lee... So, I'll just do it old school

[tyler1124]

I would have someone send you that, I wouldnt show up with all that...

[clyde]

Cant cut your own hair on your head only facial hair,

I know at BCT, but not at AIT. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to. If not, oh well. Hay, I got save as much money as possible I'll have bills at home to pay when I get back.

[tyler1124]

I would find out before you do it, even in AIT it was an Article 15 against some IET policy that TRADOC put in place? IDK, just double check, plus haircuts at benning, was 5.50 and we got 3 hair cuts, not including the High N Tight day before Turning Blue

[clyde]

thanks for the heads-up bro!

[PFC Lowe]

Leave the electric trimmer at home. I ended up buying one in AIT and charging people to cut their hair. $2 for a shave $4 for high and tight. At the PX they charged us $6.60 for shave and $8 for high and tight I believe. Giving those haircuts paid off the $10 clippers quick and then some

Our co CO and new to us 1SG ended up finding out but this was while a bunch of other stuff was going on so no one got in trouble.

[clyde]

Leave the electric trimmer at home. I ended up buying one in AIT and charging people to cut their hair. $2 for a shave $4 for high and tight. At the PX they charged us $6.60 for shave and $8 for high and tight I believe. Giving those haircuts paid off the $10 clippers quick and then some

Our co CO and new to us 1SG ended up finding out but this was while a bunch of other stuff was going on so no one got in trouble.

Yea, I was not plainning on "making money". It was more of a, "this is what I do to myself at home every week anyway". I don't mind sharing either, I mean, who cares right? Besides, I'm not buying another set of clippers, I have 3 already!

[knave]

Yea, he did the same -bought a phonecard before he left, and by the time you guys were done, it was being passed around because the 4 phonecalls that had been allowed didn't really go that far into the minutes...

LOL too funny, I ended up selling mine to one of my buddies so he didn't have to buy a new one for AIT.

Wait...He got FOUR calls! I only got three and one was a voicemail.

Fourth platoon seemed to use the phone all the time...

[Farah]

LOL too funny, I ended up selling mine to one of my buddies so he didn't have to buy a new one for AIT.

Wait...He got FOUR calls! I only got three and one was a voicemail.

Fourth platoon seemed to use the phone all the time...

Yea: SEEMED. A group of 5 tried to sneek in at the payphones and got caught, so the phonecalls were cut off for the rest of BCT. Then there was someone who got caught hiding his cell, so they went through everyone's stuff. He was only allowed to contact me for the POV to AIT, which didn't matter in the end coz they decided last minute that they had to take him since he was staying on base.
Some stuff they were saying just didn't make sense. Like on Family Day, spouses were told they were allowed to display affection to their soldier in public for that one day, but we got yelled at for holding hands at the main PX

[31Brecruit]

Yea: SEEMED. A group of 5 tried to sneek in at the payphones and got caught, so the phonecalls were cut off for the rest of BCT. Then there was someone who got caught hiding his cell, so they went through everyone's stuff. He was only allowed to contact me for the POV to AIT, which didn't matter in the end coz they decided last minute that they had to take him since he was staying on base.
Some stuff they were saying just didn't make sense. Like on Family Day, spouses were told they were allowed to display affection to their soldier in public for that one day, but we got yelled at for holding hands at the main PX

On my family day I was only at the PX for a couple minutes. I decided there was too much rank in there and high tailed it to the hotel. It seemed like a officers convention lol.