What not to take to bootcamp!

[Angela]

FYI. So you open 'the box" and now you not only see "the remains", (used loosely) of your child..but everything you sent with them to bootcamp as well. Everything you and your recruit spent time and money shopping together for, adhereing to the list diligently...making sure they were well prepared, but in line with "the list".
Forget the list the recruiter gives you, the one you find online or even in the handbook. They should only take a toothbrush, ID , calling card and perhaps a bible or other religious medallion. The rest will all come home in "the box".

If you have daughters, don't waste time buying those white brief style underwear, bras and even a swim suit. I spent a lot of money and it all came back in a box....even though we carefully followed the list to a T. Included also was her copy of her contract, her navy notebook , gym shoes, and the makeup they told her she could bring. Mind you she and I both knew she wasn't going be wearing make up..but was told they could have it for Pictures and PIR. Save the money and put in your childs account. Also, they say you can take 6ounces of this and that..ie shampoo etc..But, unless they are checking their backpack or duffle bag, it will not make it through security...and will end up trashed. Bye the way, your sailor will now be "issued" these things or have to purchase these...which will come out of their paycheck. So again, save the money and give it to them later or use it to buy pictures etc..Hope this is helpful.

Hopefully one day they will just simply tell everyone this so money isn't wasted.

Angela

[Tamie (mom of Michael)]

That to bad, I think you were misinformed because we were told take nothing, but it will come home if you do. This is again why we love N4M site we can get the answers here. best wishes to your sailor. Yoo Hoo!

[Ginny (Robert's Mom)]

Thank you sharing this information, Angela and trying to save everyone from wasting money. You are so right. My son who is currently in Boot Camp only took with him what was on the list, the one in his DEP book,(and that wasn't much) but it all came back in the box, including his little address book with everyone's cell number, the envelopes and stamps, etc., even his pen.

[MJ__JM's Mom]

I sure hope NOT about the little phone book. My daughter didn't live with me for a while, so she hadn't memorized my address or cell phone number. She needs that book. Hopefully, she'll write the info down if they take it away from her.

[Tricia - Steve'sWife]

Hi MJ, make sure you start writing your daughter right away. Put all of the info you want her to have in a letter. She'll get it soon enough. Don't laugh, but I did that for my husband. I was always programmed into his phone so he had a hard time remembering my number!!! You can call or go to the recruiters office for her address a few days after she leaves. She should get some letters before she gets a chance to call home again.

[Paula]

I think this changes no matter what anyone says.. When my son was in BC nothing was permitted to come except wallet. Yet my friends daughter was in the next group and she did get to keep her makeup (for PIR & pic's) It must depend who you end up in front of. Great advice for Newbee's that what I always say, send NOTHING, they can purchase the stamps & phone card so why take the chance.

Paula

[Angela]

I appreciate all of the comments. Then intent here was not only to vent but to keep others from making this mistake. I do think to some degree it probably does depend on "who you end up in front of", but it shouldn't.And, no recruit who spend as much time with her recruiter as mine did or any other should be misinformed. My daughter has worked with her recruiter well over 6 months in the DEP. She took everything seriously, which is why we followed the list so carefully. If they can't really take these items the page should be removed from the DEP handbook and a list should only be included of what they can actually take and keep despite who they end up in front of. Even my daughters contract came back.

I wrote a letter to my daughters recruiter yesterday. It may seem small but it is a big concern especially in such tough economic times. Fortunately even though I lost some money I have enough that the loss didn't impact my family. But, for some moms spending the extra money may be significant. Especially, then only to have the sailor turn around and purchase it again. As a father himself, hopefully he will tell the next recurits what "not to take". Lastly, we need to be able to trust, our young enlistees need to be able to trust what they are told, and things as simple as this can affect that trust.

Angela

[tewaner]

Like some of the other mothers said, it does depend on the division that they end up in. When I went to bootcamp I kept my own bras, panties, and gym shoes. As far as personal items go, they all needed to fit in what we called the"a/b" drawer which are 2 shallow, short drawers. Your recruiter can only tell you what he knows. One thing that your sailor will learn in the Navy is that things change constantly and you just have to be flexible. You will save yourself a lot of headache and aggravation if you adapt that also. Also, if any of you have ladies going to bootcamp tell them to save themselves the tears later and go get a professional, to the nape of the neck, haircut before they leave. Trust me on that one.

[JazzyJ]

Best advise anyone can give....that's where the money should go for sure, if you don't believe this go check out some of the haircuts on some of the girls on you tube.

[Anti M]

I concur on the haircuts for girls. I too went and had a short professional cut before I reported. I didn't need to , I was in before they began lopping off girls' hair immediately. I am glad I did, made life much simpler and nicer.

Bootcamp is traumatic enough without having your hair assaulted the first day!

[Viki]

I cut Jennas hair before she left and since it's super curly, it was already short.
They cut it again!!!

[Suzanne]

Angela - I'm sorry that you had this experience. My son was in DEP for 8 months and we followed the list, too. Many items we sent came home, too. If there is an up-side to this experience, it was kinda nice not to have to buy deoderent and toothpaste for a while:-) He was able to keep the stamps and envelopes, along with his address book. He sent the writing paper home but did ask for it a few weeks later. He was also able to keep his religious medal, which he wears along side his dog tags. I think its easier to re-used the stuff that a boy sends home. I doubt I could have used my daughters sports bras and underwear:-)

[Angela]

you are right..about the undies. Regardless, I did have funny shopping with her...lol...she is 20 years old so you know she doesnt' usually wear white briefs...she just hated looking at them. The swimsuit was another issue..it was expensive and for like most woman a painful experience when trying on. I wanted her to have one that she felt comfortable in and we got the most basic blue suit out there. My daughter was miss san diego princess in 08, she is cute and petitie, but she doesn't see herself that way. I knew that what suit she had would help her to feel confident...so I'm still upset about that coming back. Guess we will keep it for her to use once she is in Virginia.
Thanks again for everyones comments.