on the way to boot camp

[lisa]

My son is leaving July 9th and I was wondering what he is allowed to take with him?

[Robin (Ali's Mom)]

Lisa...He needs photo id (Drivers License), Social Security Card, Bank routing slip, a voided check from his checking account all to get his pay records started...shot record would be good. He can take a small bible, a religious medal or cross (small), small address book...ATM or Debit card, PHONE CARD...he NEEDS an activated phone card or you will not get a safe arrival phone call...spare eyeglasses or contact lenses (even though he can not wear them except for pictures and graduation) and that is it...everything else they will send home. They let my daughter keep her watch and makeup and tooth brush and paste and deoderant and personal Hygene stuff...but others had it returned. What he needs should fit in a small backpack. go to RTC website and check it out...Robin...

[April , PNM of Tyler]

He needs the clothes that he has on his back, that is it. They do need to take DL SS card for sure. As far as the banking part of it goes, if they choose, they can set up an account when they are in P-days with the Navy Federal Credit Union (there will be one of these at every base he will ever be on) Most recruiters recomend setting an account up there, it will not slow down their pay or anything like that, and they will be issued a ATM card. Robin is right about them being able to wear their contacts or glasses for their pictures, BUT, any contacts that are taken with them will be sent back to you with the "box".An address book and activated phone card are a must. Although the safe arrival phone call is compliments of the Navy, they won't use their card for this. They will use it for the other calls they will earn during BC. Our son went to BC in February and finished in April.

[Sara Castle]

Lisa, in my son's DEP handbook there is a section in the back about what they are allowed to keep at BC. It is VERY specific. It looks like if the item doesn't fit the specs, it gets sent back. The SR gets to pay for the postage to mail the box!

[Robin (Ali's Mom)]

Lisa ...every RDC is different...Alison got to keep the pair of contact lenses she was wearing and a spare pair and a spare pair of glasses. But Sara is right ...if it fits in the space that they allow for the item they generally get to keep it. Alison also got to keep all of her grooming kit even though they issued new. They did return her disposable razors. Most guys go up with the clothes on their back. There is a post on here that a mom said she did not get her safe arrival phone call because her son did not know how to use the phone card...everyone is different.