Girls at bootcamp

[Cindy]

Hello all and good morning.
My daughter leaves for boot camp in January and I have seen 4 lists on what she needs to bring with her and all the lists are different. Can someone who has a daughter that recently been through boot camp let me know what she needs to take with her. Happy thanksgiving to all :-)

[jessica pounds]

Hello,

I am in the Navy and I was worried about what to bring to bootcamp. My recruitor had given me a long list of items that I was allowed to bring (white bras, panties, black swimsuit, etc.) However when I got there, everything that I was wearing was put into a box, along with everything that I brought with me. The $200 dollars that my parents spent preparing me for boot camp was a total waste. Even though some of the things they bought me were the exact same brand and style, everything had to go home. Then, I even had to pay for the shipping to send the box.

What I was allowed to keep was a small Bible, small address book, stationary and stamps.

No jewelery (except a wedding ring) may be worn in boot camp, not even a watch. A maximum of $25 is allowed to be kept while there, however, while at boot camp they provide you with a $500 gift card to the Navy Exchange to purchase items while there.

Sanitary items are supplied. Bathroom breaks are allowed at almost anytime so no need to be worried about that.

Also, make sure she has a pre-paid phone card. When you arrive there, the first thing you do is call home (a one minute phone call consisting of: "hi im here, i love you, good bye, CLICK) They use pay phones but they do not accept cash. Recruitors always forget to tell you that part.

Everything a Sailor will need all the way down from shampoo to pen and paper is provided (at the cost of the Sailor). My first paycheck from the Navy had a $750 deduction for these items and uniform costs, so needless to say, spending money to get items on the list that recruitors give you and then having to send them home, is a very big waste.

Tell your daughter good luck. Boot camp is fun. I wish I could go through it again.

MC3 Pounds, Jessica, USN

[Cindy]

Jessica
You have been a HUGE help. It feels sooooo good hearing from a current sailor. I am very proud of you!!!! I hope my Tiffany has the same experience as you have. Good luck and I wish you the very best.
PS I have heard different stories about the makeup you are allowed to bring for photos and graduation????
Would it be safer to send it to her later on in bootcamp???

Thank you
Cindy

[Mom of a Navy Daughter]

My dauther was a DEPPER - and she had all the cute little books they give you to prepare for boot. My husband being retired military prepared her well. We purchased everything from underwear to writing instruments; according to her DEP book - BUT, I was overwhelmed and surprised when they sent absolutely everything back, including her bra and plain mailing envelopes. So in other words - go with as little as possible, and don't take any makeup or bobby pins. She really only took her glasses and birth control. Oh, she did get to keep her faith necklace. She was given permission to purchase items (with the money we sent) as boot progressed. Her shampoo was even returned. I don't know if this is the case everywhere, but it sure was at Great Lakes. She kept her bible and prepaid mailing cards. So once again, go with as little as possible.

[Cindy]

Thank you so much. This is extreemly hard for me, as this is my only child. I know she will do well, but mom is still having a hard time. Her date to leave on her contract is June but they keep telling her it will be sooner. The unknowing of the exact time she is to leave is very stressful at this time.
I will need friends like you for sure!!!!
Your daugher is so beautiful in her uniform, cant wait for that picture

[Tanya]

My hubbys stationary got sent back.. he only went with stationary stamps calling card glasses and contacts.. everything but the calling card glasses and stamps got sent back.. my best friend went in 5 days after my hu by did and she didn't bring anything with her really either b/c it all gets sent back. I guess if you send her with anything just send bible if religious, calling card stamps and glasses [they let him keep the glasses for pictures/PIR]

[DaLinda]

Hi Cindy,

My daughter just left for boot camp: This is what she took with her: a wallet with/ an ATM card, Drivers License, Necessary Paper Work ( a direct deposit slip, talk to your recuriter about it, very important, you don't get paid until you have that paper work) and 25 dollars cash (for meals on the way to boot camp) 2 bras, no makeup I bottle of special shamphoo, pre-paid phone card, address book, A picture of her husband, one of her sister and me. A cell phone (she knew she would be sending it back, but had it in case something went wrong on the way there), The clothes on her back.
Her wedding ring, and cross. She called me and told me that I will be receiving a package with things that
she couldn't keep. All of what she took was in her Navy Backpack. So my advice is Pack light. You will buy everything there. Including items like stamps, stationery, etc. The best way to find out what she really needs, talk to the head recruiter.
Hope I helped

[Donna]

My daughter is leaving monday and she was told by another female who already went through bootcamp that all that stuff they have on the list for females ends up getting sent home. Don't bother buying any bras or underwear...can't keep them. She needs her social security card, photo id and form for automatic deposit. The only other items my daughter is bringing is shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush and that kind of stuff but that may end up getting sent home also.

[Joyia]

Hello Donna. My daughter is in boot camp now and will PIR 02 Jan. The shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush will all get sent home. Just take travel size stuff in a ziplock for tonight at the hotel. Tomorrow morning take clothes on her back, no jewelry (except wedding ring), a winter coat (just to get to GL because it will get sent home, but the temp this morning is 9). She needs her social security card, picture ID, automatic deposit info, no more than $25 cash, calling card, small address book/phone numbers. She can also have a small bible. They issue everything including 1 pair of Navy issue silver stud earrings. My daughter took a paperback book to read on the plane and got rid of it when they landed. When she gets to O'Hare she will not be able to make a phone call from the airport. They give them very specific instructions and expect them to be obeyed. She will be able to call you once she arrives on base to let you know she has arrived. This a very exciting time for her. A new adventure to be sure! It is much harder on us moms that are left behind. Keep reading on this site. You will meet new friends, learn so much and find out that everything you are feeling is exactly the same thing that we all felt. We are here for you.

[Pat/Angelinas' mom]

My daughter got the things on the list and EVERYTHING came back in a box even her wallet she was able to keep her SS card, drivers lisence and the pages from her phone book they tore out the pages and sent it back to. so just send her in what she has on I bought stamps and all that and again it all came back.

[Pam O'Callaghan]

One thing my daughter found difficult was not having face soap. When I mailed her letters, I put in disposable face cloths. You can send boxes, but most things get taken away (returned after PIR).

[Nanna K]

Congratulations! The best advice I can give having done this in September, is she only needsvery very basic items.
The clothes on her back, which she will mail home as soon as she arrives. Wear VERY comfortable clothing, alot of waiting time at MEPS and airport walking
Eye Glasses
As described earlier, basic make-up for pictures
ID
SS card
Direct deposite paperwork
Cash and or debit card (take less than $50.00) they are given airport food vouchers
prepaid calling card or mobile phone (phone will be mailed home, they pay for the approved calls from basic)

Oh yeah, if she dyes her hair, she might want to have it changed to her natural color. 2 months produce alot of growth. My Meg is a natural blonde, but has dyed her hair for 2 years. I tried to get her to get it stripped, but she put it off, thank goodness her hat covered the inch of regrowth!
My daughter took a book and her mobile, so she could keep in touch during her trip. She called when she landed at OHare, then she called to say she was lost in the airport (it is big), then she texted that they threw her "friggen book away".
They supply the sanitary product there. At least they did for my sailor.
Good Luck!

[DaLinda]

Back to you again....My daughter left on the 2nd of December, today I received her box of stuff back....my advice is this,
the less she takes the less she has to send back...basically $25 dollars cash the day she leaves so she can eat, get a coffee or soda on the way. An atm card, a prepaid phone card (a must) an address book although my daughter had to tear her pages out, so just type up a list and put it in her wallet (that will be sent back empty. any back pack will be returned, all the clothes she wears, socks shoes, bra undies If she has glasses she can take them, wedding ring. If she has a cross or other religious necklace or bible, she can keep that. No other jewlry/ Less is better in this case.don't take a big heavy jacket...remember what ever comes back is at her expense. She will call you about 3 hours or so after arrival with a call letting you know that she is sending things back they get a minute to tell you this....let her talk and then tell her you love her and you are proud of her.My daughter did get to keep her shamphoo as it was special. she had her hair straightened and this would help keep it that way. Other wise she would wake up one morning with a bush growing on top of her hair....LOL....good luck....if you need to talk I am here...