basic items for Christmas - I need help figuring this out!

[freckles1218]

Hello All!
My son was sworn in in July and will finish college before heading to OCS, power and prototype schools. This is all new to me so I need a little help. He has a list of items he needs to bring when he reports but I haven't seen it to see what the specifics are. He has asked for some of these things for Christmas, so I need to know WHAT to buy. He says crew socks, underwear and undershirts. Do the guys wear only whiety-tighties? Crew neck undershirts? What about the socks - only white? A specific type? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Any additional suggestions would be appreciated as well. Thank you!

Lynda 

[NYNancy]

Just google "Navy OCS what to bring" and you will see a list of clothing and other items. Best wishes to your son!

[JediGrey]

Hi freckles. My son starts next week. The list he forwarded to me follows:

General Items:

• Toiletry kit including a bag that should include: traditional razor, shaving cream, soap, shampoo & conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and dental floss
• Wristwatch with alarm, or an additional separate alarm with no radio
• White cotton briefs (7 pair, but the more the better)
• Females white brief cut or bikini style
• White crewneck undershirts (7) (be sure to buy a small size for you and wash them in HOT before you go.  That way they will be skin-tight and the neckline will look good when you are in uniform).
• White full-length athletic (crew) socks (7 pair). It is very obvious if you do not have the right length of sock. They should come ¾ of the way up your calf when extended, but you will wear them scrunched down to the shoe.
• White bath towels and washcloths (1-2 each)
• Females:  White Sports bra (6) and a one-piece dark colored bathing suit
• Running Shoes, fairly new but broken in (wear them when you check in,  VERY good idea to bring a backup pair that are broken in or bring a brand new pair to save for RLP inspection)
• Check book and pertinent financial records
• Lint roller – they may or may not let you bring this in.
• Stamps and stationary
• Prescription Medication WITH PRESCRIPTIONS from a doctor. You will be required to get these prescriptions approved by the OCS medical before you are allowed to take them.  No over-the-counter drugs of any kind.
• Clear nail polish (stash in bag for later)
• Prepaid phone card (very important since at ocs there are only pay phones)
• Debit/Credit Card
• Extra cash $200-$300 – just to get you through the first few weeks if you need to send a Candi-O to the NEX to fetch something for you. If you get stuck in H-class, you will use more money earlier on so bring what you think is best.
• Females- two white or nude bra’s to wear with khaki’s

 

Keep the following items in one envelope; you will need them when you check in:

• Birth certificate for yourself and any dependents
• Marriage certificate
• Certified copy of spouse’s driver’s license
• Divorce papers
• Two copies of your original orders
• College transcripts
• Prior service records, medals and ribbons (if applicable)
• All travel receipts
• $10 cash
• Immunization records
• Military ID

 

Contraband – all are optional and can be used during the Candi-O phase except the cell phone is mandatory.

• Food
• Cell phone and chargers – you need one for Candi-O phase.
• Mp3 player
• Laptop and movies
• Ukulele

I suppose the list could possibly vary from group to group, but it should be close. Consider it a starting point, but verify.

Good luck to him!

[AeroArl]

This is a great list, thanks! Just wish I had seen it before I sent him off to OCS last week!

[M's mom]

freckles1218:  Ask your son to see the list for specifics.  My son went through OCS two years ago, and I think he had to take plain white crew socks, white briefs underwear, and white crewneck undershirts, but that could have changed.  They will buy all the rest of their uniforms there, such as black dress socks for their dress blues, etc.  The white crew socks will be used for LOTS of physical training and running, etc. so make sure the socks are thick and "cushy" enough that he doesn't get blisters from his running shoes.  He shouldn't take anything else that is not on that list, because it and his civilian clothes that he arrives in will be put in storage until graduation.  I think he can take a book of stamps and a pre-paid phone card to use with the pay phones, but don't send any "treats" with him or send anything to him but letters until week nine or it will be confiscated as "contraband."

[ITgal]

My son reported to OCS June 2013 and is in Prototype now.  He says underwear is no longer "inspectable" so he can wear which ever style, but must be white.  They do seem to change slightly from time to time, even from the class my son started in to the class coming in when he finished.  So check the Command's website before he leaves. http://www.ocs.navy.mil/OCS_RequiredPaperwork.asp  Best of luck!

[freckles1218]

Thanks for all your help Moms! My son doesn't share too much of this type of thing or maybe he just hasn't looked yet! He's so excited to get going - just what I want from our military personnel. 

[td309]

Congratulations to you and your son.  What an exciting but nerve-wracking time for both of you!  My son graduated from OCS 9/2013 and is a student  aviator in Milton, FL about to finish Primary.  He did receive all those "unmentionables" you cited for Christmas 2 years ago.  I do believe though, that as someone below mentioned, the underwear is not inspectable so may no longer need to be tightey whities.  I think they possibly could have worn boxer briefs, but not loose boxers.  As for socks, again, as someone previously mentioned, get the best you can afford. My son brought 2 new pairs of tennis shoes; one pair very slightly broken in, the other not, and wore one completely out and did a good job on the second.  Their feet need to be treated well I think.  He will be fine if he follows the list he's given-perhaps extra socks since he'll surely wear more than a pair a day.

Best of luck to you both; it's a whirlwind life and we're still figuring things out as we go.  We had NO prior military experience in family or friends, so appreciate any information from this group we can get our hands on.  I almost never post, but read others several times a week and learn a lot from the other moms.

[Noni]

Recommended packing list as of April 2013

PAPERWORK-Orders-Copies of prescriptions-Voided check-Photo ID (you will need 2)-Marriage certificate-ORIGINAL ID card, birth certificate, and social security card for spouse and children-Recruiter contact info

CLOTHING-White socks (7-10 pairs, crew not low cut)-White underwear (7-10 pairs, briefs)-White towel (2, splurge on this... it is one of your guaranteed comforts, bring a nice towel)-(women) white sports bras (7-10)-(women) white/skintone brassieres (not sports bra) (2-3)-(women) navy/black one piece swimsuit (racing style)-Running shoes (minimalist shoes are NOT authorized)

TOILETRIES (full size not travel size)-Toiletry bag -Shaving gear (3 weeks worth of razor blade replacements)-Toothbrush/paste, floss-Deodorant-Bodywash (mildly scented)-Shampoo-Nail clippers-(women) Feminine Hygiene Products-(women) Make up authorized in week 9-(women) Hair brush

OTHER-At least $300 (this is how much OCS recommends you bring, I ended up using closer to $800 cash - there is a Navy Fed you can go to if needed)-Pre-paid phone card (currently not necessary, but I expect it will be needed again soon)-Book of stamps-Chapstick-Tissues (travel size pack)-Glasses if worn-Contact lenses if worn (authorized for graduation)-Watch, black band (usually authorized in week 4)-Cell phone/charger (NECESSARY weeks 9-12)-Wallet/bank card-(women) 4-6mm gold ball stud earrings (authorized in week 9)-Phone numbers/addresses-Sturdy suitcase/duffle bag that is easily identifiable-(women) travel sized hair dryer

While you are there, plan on buying additional items such as cotton balls, cleaning supplies, air freshener, and an extra seabag or suitcase.