Going away present for basic training

[Alan_Hepburn]

As far as Navy basic goes, I went in the winter so they gave us clothes and basically everything we would need and everything else got sent back home.

When our son went through Navy Boot Camp in 2005 they took everyone to the NEX for their uniforms, toiletry supplies, etc. The bill was deducted from their first paycheck!

For the families back home, seeing him leave was hard; but what was even harder was receiving that package about 3 weeks later with all his civilian stuff - my wife cried for hours!

As others have said - the best thing to give would be phone cards, and writing materials. In the Navy, they were required to phone home when they got to Chicago so we knew he arrived safely. After that phone privileges were just that- privileges. They were earned. But if they ARE earned a phone card makes calling home a lot easier for them.

Tell her good luck, and thanks from this Blue Star Family!

 

[Yakoo752]

I showed up to boot, they emptied our pockets into a tray and sent the shit back to our "parents"

We then went through in processing where we got our sweats issued...

Through out the first "p-week" we went and got fitted for our uniforms

they give you everything you will need to get through boot camp

 

[JENCantSTEER]

If all else fails.. send her a postcard. I loved getting mail.
I have no idea how airforce BCT is...
I always needed Kiwi, but sadly even the event of shining boots are gone

 

[Sane_Man]

I showed up to boot, they emptied our pockets into a tray and sent the shit back to our "parents"

We then went through in processing where we got our sweats issued...

Through out the first "p-week" we went and got fitted for our uniforms

they give you everything you will need to get through boot camp

Assuming things haven't changed, in Air Force Basic Training, all your civilian stuff was just put in the store room of your barracks, with a big lock on the door. You got it all back when you graduated. I've never heard of them mailing your stuff back home.

All your toiletries, you had to pay for when you were taken to the BX store to get those items. If you already owned them, you saved money by not having to purchase them twice. There is no such thing as military razors, nail clippers, combs, brushes, lotion, or soap. I doubt if they will allow you to bring an electric toothbrush, but you can bring the brand of toothbrush you like, rather then some crappy soft bristle brush they sell, which may be all they have. I say, get her stuff she likes to use, rather then be stuck with a limited choice.

 

[m_asim]

Yeah, as long as you aren't a totally out of shape slob, anyone in reasonable shape can make it through basic training. The rest is just head games just to dick with you. As long as you aren't going to break down and cry for your mother, it isn't a big deal to make it through the training.

They can't lay a hand on you or curse at you in Basic, so for me it was hard not to laugh when the T.I.'s tried to scare you.

Do they have any maximum weight requirement?

I am thinking I should go for Basic.

 

[Sane_Man]

Do they have any maximum weight requirement?

I am thinking I should go for Basic.

To join the Air Force, they use a weight chart, which tells you your max weight based on your height.

Once you are in the service, they use a Fitness Component Chart where they take body fat measurements which gives you a score. Then they give you points based on your fitness, like how fast you can run 1-1/2 miles, and how many pushup's, setup's, and pull up's you can do. The total points say if you're healthy or a fatass like Private Pyle. That way if you are a little thick around the middle, you can make up for it by being able to run faster and do a shitload of push up's.

 

[m_asim]

To join the Air Force, they use a weight chart, which tells you your max weight based on your height.

Once you are in the service, they use a Fitness Component Chart where they take body fat measurements which gives you a score. Then they give you points based on your fitness, like how fast you can run 1-1/2 miles, and how many pushup's, setup's, and pull up's you can do. The total points say if you're healthy or a fatass like Private Pyle. That way if you are a little thick around the middle, you can make up for it by being able to run faster and do a shitload of push up's.

I am overweight

 

[Mike T]

shit....i need to by 165?!

guess i gotta start losing weight like a mofo!

 

[NorCalRSVR]

Tell her to pack light, when she gets there the first thing she will be doing is picking up the bags, and putting them down, then picking them back up and down again.... until she can't feel the arms. All she has to do is remember it's just a head game and she'll make it just fine.

This. I remember standing under the overhang for 3 or 4 hours after getting there doing the pick 'em up/put 'em down without stopping. I packed light and was glad I did. One poor guy had about 4 suitcases so he had a hell of a time.

I don't know what the current rules are regarding cell phones. I'd still get her a phone card so she can call home in the event her flight isn't allowed to keep their cell phones. Write her often, mail call was a very emotional time when letters from home came in. Give 'em a spritz of her favorite smell good stuff too. I remember my girl at the time would perfume her letters and the scent would waft through the room when I opened them.....everyone on my flight looked forward to me getting letters.

I don't know about getting pad paper and envelopes....most people use e-mail exclusively these days. Being there for her graduation would be a real treat....the day before graduation, trainees get "liberty" and a day to spend in San Antonio with their families. Being there for that day and graduation would be pretty special to her. Also, what job is she going into? Many technical training centers are in Texas these days, it's cheaper than sending them all the way across to country only to have the trainee fail out. If she's going into a medical or flying career field, send me a pm. I know people in both training schools and can have them look out for her.....sean

 

[Sane_Man]

This. I remember standing under the overhang for 3 or 4 hours after getting there doing the pick 'em up/put 'em down without stopping. I packed light and was glad I did. One poor guy had about 4 suitcases so he had a hell of a time.

I don't know what the current rules are regarding cell phones. I'd still get her a phone card so she can call home in the event her flight isn't allowed to keep their cell phones. Write her often, mail call was a very emotional time when letters from home came in. Give 'em a spritz of her favorite smell good stuff too. I remember my girl at the time would perfume her letters and the scent would waft through the room when I opened them.....everyone on my flight looked forward to me getting letters.

I don't know about getting pad paper and envelopes....most people use e-mail exclusively these days. Being there for her graduation would be a real treat....the day before graduation, trainees get "liberty" and a day to spend in San Antonio with their families. Being there for that day and graduation would be pretty special to her. Also, what job is she going into? Many technical training centers are in Texas these days, it's cheaper than sending them all the way across to country only to have the trainee fail out. If she's going into a medical or flying career field, send me a pm. I know people in both training schools and can have them look out for her.....sean

'Sup, Sean.