Gift ideas for Depper going to DLI

[SailorMom]

Hi Moms and all! I have been stalking this and other Navy Forums since my daughter told me she wanted to go into Navy as a CTI. She depped in last month with that rate, and now I am in the 'what do we need to do, get, prepare for' phase. I want to get her something useful or nice to have at the DLI, and am looking for suggestions from those who have had their sailors their or been their themselves. She has a computer that I will send with her, and had thought about getting an external hard drive that she could load up with movies and such. This idea had come from active sailors, but they are on ships and wondering if that would be useful at DLI. I feel like the barracks will have internet/WIFI and it wouldn't be useful.
Were their items your sailor was glad they had or wished they had during their time at the DLI? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated:)
Thanks for all the helpful information I have been able to get from these forums!!! It has been invaluable in our journey.

[SailorMom]

Thank-you so very much!! Very helpful, I think I will nix the hard drive thought, and keep it simple this year. can in the savings account might be the route to take. We are excited and terrified here!
We live on the east coast and it is going to be so hard to see my one and only child go, but can't wait for her to spread those wings.
Happy holidays to all!

[Jack]

We are issued computers for school, however having a personal computer is nice. I wouldn't recommend a hard drive, since we have internet access. After being here for 2 weeks, we are allowed to wear civilian clothes, so I would recommend going shopping one last time before boot camp and then shipping them to her so that when she gets Phase II, she doesn't have to go to the mall. I am a student here now, so if you want any more information about being here, feel free to message me!

[Harrison]

My baby girl is in DLI too. She has been there almost a year now. As someone already mentioned they do get a Macbook Pro and an iPad issued to them on their arrival. I would highly HIGHLY recommend against giving DLI students tvs or game consules. The training and homework are very intense there and there are many people who fail out, even brilliant kids. TV and Video Games will be a bad distraction that will take away from their study times. The best thing for my daughter has been things to help her in school, like fun and neat notebooks, pens, organizational items. This way I am helping, not hindering her studies. Coffee pot is a good gift if your sailor likes coffee, but they do still spend lots of time at the coffee shop on base or in town. After a while they will be able to wear civilian clothes again, so jacket, sweatshirt, t-shirts are good. When they earn upgraded housing they will get a small kitchen. And the best gift of all is a visit from you after they have been there a few months! The base is very welcoming to families and it's great to get to meet the new friends and her teachers. There is a language festival on base in May that is great fun and a good way for your CTI in training to get to show off their new language.

[bbcregular]

Hello FloJo2, I am currently in Monterey visiting my CTI2B daughter. Here is what she is saying. First don't think of DLI as the Navy. DLI is extremely strict college life with military responsibilities. What my daughter says is she will need dorm things (not barracks things but dorm things) like a nice bed pillow, blanket for twin bed, small stuffed animal if she is that type, a nice clock. Emphasis is on SMALL. She has moved 4 times in 12 months.

Now for computer. Wifi is available or she can subscribe to a better service. DLI provides an iPad and a MacBook Pro to each student. Her week day time will be spent with homework and Navy duties. It is a personal decision about what she wants as far as a small personal computer and movies. Movies and games are available at the Hobson Recreation Center. She could use that easy enough.

There is a large list of what she cannot have. We waited till our daughter was at DLI then we mailed her packages of what she wanted. After boot camp, the most important thing was to give the cell phone to her at the airport.

Make memories with your daughter before she ships and continue to ask questions.

[DNavyFamily]

Hi there!  Our CTI graduated this Fall and we visited twice so we can share some pretty current info.  They get issued laptops and iPad but internet connectivity, even paid out-of-pocket is awful. It's optional for $30/month and constant connectivity issues.  They have VERY limited desk space so it may be better to hang on the computer at home- however, they will need it once they get to their first duty station AFTER DLI.  Our CTI bought a new one once there as they become obsolete so fast anyhow.  

Three things your CTI2B will likely really, really appreciate are: 1) a collapsible luggage dolly- I kid you not.  They move the students a LOT during the year and there are NO elevators in the buildings, LOTS of steps outside to the street and LOTS of hills.  2) Paying the $30/month for their internet service and /or 3) Paying their cell phone bill until they graduate.    As E1-E3's, those little paychecks do NOT go far in the Monterey area and having that little gift for a year is HUGE.   Also, I cannot emphasize enough- they do NOT have a lot of room, and what little shelf space they have is taken up by academic/military stuff.   Don't get them hot plates, either.   Their favorite blanket and pillow from home, some clothes, letters, photos, care packages and some $$$ are what they need the most.   We got to know some CTI2Bs junior to ours and they are just graduating so we have pretty current info.   Will be happy to answer any questions during your CTI2B's year!  

[DNavyFamily]

Also, I strongly encourage your CTI2B to take advantage of three things to alleviate stress:  1) Volunteer   2) Take advantage of MWR 1-2 day trips once a quarter or on government holidays when possible.  Monterey is in an incredible location; ours went to Yosemite one long weekend, went to Lake Tahoe snowboarding, Big Sur for the day, San Francisco, etc.  Academics is #1 but sanity is required to be successful academically.  Don't be a bunk bed rat and just watch movies or game all freaking day get out get a life,  enjoy the Hobson, the gorgeous weather.  And 3), participate in BOSS (Base Opportunities for Single Service members and sponsored by MWR).  At times, 1/3rd of the students are often over 21 and about 1/4 of all of them are married.  BOSS is fun because it brings together the various branches to watch movies together, go on MWR trips together, going out to dinner, and other fun things especially for those who are under 21 in a supportive, non-dating mode.  It's not nerdy at all, not religious and very fun,  It really helped our CTI2B stay motivated around much more positive "cup is half full" students vs. the video junkies who just stay stuck to their video devices all day.  During two really tough times for our CTI2B, the BOSS bunch really pumped-up our CTI2B and prevailed each time- gave a lot of support.  Was wonderful and was super great to meet many of the BOSS bunch at graduation.  These are the kind of students/kids who make the Armed Services look awesome.  BOSS is run by the students plus there are BOSS groups at most bases your CTI will be based at.  Real leadership/can do/helpful/role model kids- Restores your faith in the future!