My cousin is leaving for the Marines soon...

[Amused]

http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Cont...rec_step09_bootcamp_bring,,00.html#nav

No info for marines, but Navy is there...

What is allowed:

one pair of prescription glasses, reading glasses or contact lens kit;
money (maximum of $25) (optional);
light sweater/jacket for winter months;
two sets of clean underwear;
two pairs of clean socks;
completed Direct Deposit Sign-Up Standard Form 1198A;
check book and ATM card.

marriage certificate
copies of dependent's birth certificates (e.g., children, spouse, etc.)
divorce decree of both husband and wife
small Bible or other religious book
current record of inoculations (shots)
Social Security Card
toothpaste/toothbrush (non-pump in the original container)
two personal size bars of soap
stick deodorant three ounces or less
shaving cream (10 ounces or less)
disposable razor only
wrist watch
wedding rings
religious medallion
writing material except for bottled ink
pocket dictionary
pocket Bible or other religious book
small address book
shampoo and conditioner, eight ounces or less
hairbrush, combs (no large picks or rakes allowed)
greaseless hair gel, scalp treatment, eight ounces or less
sunscreen

What is not allowed:

large cans of shaving cream (11 ounces or larger)
food items
pump toothpaste
scented lotions or powders
all aerosol containers
after-shave, cologne
hair care products containing grease
shampoo, conditioners, scalp treatments (larger than eight ounces or containing grease)
lighter fluid
matches
non-Navy books and magazines
cards, dice, gambling paraphernalia
large and bulky stationery
Q-tips, handi-wipes, body powder
large plastic picks, rakes, etc., or any made of metal
anything in glass containers including mirrors
double-edge razor blades
cigarettes, cigars, pipes, tobacco, chewing tobacco
large deodorants (larger than three ounces)

The following items will be confiscated and turned over to Security for disposition:
firearms, ammunition
fireworks
clubs, batons
brass knuckles
all straight razors; large knives are confiscated; knives with blades less than 3 inches in length, ice picks and scissors will be sent home
narcotic drugs and any paraphernalia for drug usage like roach clips, hash pipes, hypodermic needles

All non-prescription drugs and medications will be confiscated and disposed of. These would include, but not be limited to the following:
mouthwash
Phisoderm, Phisohex and other similar products
foot powders
rubbing alcohol
motion sickness medication
commercial sleeping aide
decongestants
acne medication
antihistamines
analgesics <li>eyewash
sex-related materials

 

[QuitBanningMe]

I was allowed all of this (I didn't try the cameras) when I went in the army.

Personal grooming aids are allowed, just no electric razors.

You can most certainly have running shoes. If you do not, they take you to the PX to buy some. The armed forces hasn't run in boots for over 2 decades now.

[/quote]

Everything was taken from us even stuff the recruiter said we could bring. After it was taken we went in our underwear to receiving to get issued clothes and supplies. The supplies (a set issue) were deducted from our first check.

Edit: Except for money and ID.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe


I was allowed all of this (I didn't try the cameras) when I went in the army.

Personal grooming aids are allowed, just no electric razors.

You can most certainly have running shoes. If you do not, they take you to the PX to buy some. The armed forces hasn't run in boots for over 2 decades now.

Everything was taken from us even stuff the recruiter said we could bring. After it was taken we went in our underwear to receiving to get issued clothes and supplies. The supplies (a set issue) were deducted from our first check.[/quote]

What year was this?

In the Army, we kept all our approved personal grooming supplies, running shoes, underwear and clothes we wore in.

 

[Aimster]

Something that he can sell to the Iraqi people and make a profit.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe


I was allowed all of this (I didn't try the cameras) when I went in the army.

Personal grooming aids are allowed, just no electric razors.

You can most certainly have running shoes. If you do not, they take you to the PX to buy some. The armed forces hasn't run in boots for over 2 decades now.

Everything was taken from us even stuff the recruiter said we could bring. After it was taken we went in our underwear to receiving to get issued clothes and supplies. The supplies (a set issue) were deducted from our first check.

What year was this?

In the Army, we kept all our approved personal grooming supplies, running shoes, underwear and clothes we wore in.[/quote]

92 in San Diego

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe


I was allowed all of this (I didn't try the cameras) when I went in the army.

Personal grooming aids are allowed, just no electric razors.

You can most certainly have running shoes. If you do not, they take you to the PX to buy some. The armed forces hasn't run in boots for over 2 decades now.

Everything was taken from us even stuff the recruiter said we could bring. After it was taken we went in our underwear to receiving to get issued clothes and supplies. The supplies (a set issue) were deducted from our first check.

What year was this?

In the Army, we kept all our approved personal grooming supplies, running shoes, underwear and clothes we wore in.

92 in San Diego[/quote]

Weird.

My experience in the Army in 87 was totally different.

At the reception station, we had to empty out our bags, and anything non-approved was taken. They left the underwear, running shoes, bibles, stationary and approved grooming aids.

 

[Azndude51]

When my friend left for the Marines a couple of weeks ago, all I did was take him out to Hooters

 

[Epic Fail]

2 sets of undies, so you do laundry every day?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Azndude51
When my friend left for the Marines a couple of weeks ago, all I did was take him out to Hooters

You coulda been a REAL friend, and taken him out to a strip club, then got him a call girl...

But nooooo, you had to be a cheap ass!

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: yamadakun
2 sets of undies, so you do laundry every day?

No, they give you a number of olive colored briefs and Ts in the Army. I'm guessing they do the same thing in the other branches.

 

[dartworth]

I went into basic training at Fort Knox in '94.

They locked up our personal gear and left us with the same as above...underwear, running shoes, bibles, stationary and approved grooming aids.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Weird.

My experience in the Army in 87 was totally different.

At the reception station, we had to empty out our bags, and anything non-approved was taken. They left the underwear, running shoes, bibles, stationary and approved grooming aids.[/quote]
Weird indeed. Even more odd the running shoes I had on and had to throw in the box were almost identical to the ones they issued me.

I don't know if they were having a problem with contraban, just being assholes, or what but they took everything

I thought it was the norm.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe

Weird.

My experience in the Army in 87 was totally different.

At the reception station, we had to empty out our bags, and anything non-approved was taken. They left the underwear, running shoes, bibles, stationary and approved grooming aids.

Weird indeed. Even more odd the running shoes I had on and had to throw in the box were almost identical to the ones they issued me.

I don't know if they were having a problem with contraban, just being assholes, or what but they took everything

I thought it was the norm.[/quote]

Well, it looks like there is a large difference between Army and Navy in this regard.

Strange...

 

[aj58]

Originally posted by: Sqube
Body armor?
Extra clips?
Steel plating for his Hummer?

I was gonna say that but then he said "under $50" haha

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: yamadakun
2 sets of undies, so you do laundry every day?

Where do you think the term "going commando" came from?

 

[datalink7]

Is he going to Boot Camp or getting deployed?

If he is going to Boot Camp, a couple of weeks in send him a bunch of condoms and a soap on a rope

 

[Tab]

A nice small concelable digicam ;p

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe

Weird.

My experience in the Army in 87 was totally different.

At the reception station, we had to empty out our bags, and anything non-approved was taken. They left the underwear, running shoes, bibles, stationary and approved grooming aids.

Weird indeed. Even more odd the running shoes I had on and had to throw in the box were almost identical to the ones they issued me.

I don't know if they were having a problem with contraban, just being assholes, or what but they took everything

I thought it was the norm.

Well, it looks like there is a large difference between Army and Navy in this regard.

Strange...[/quote]
I've been looking for something that would back up what I experienced but they all mention the list. I did find a pretty accurate description of the first couple of days at navy boot camp even though it is a little different because it is a description of Great Mistakes.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navyjoin/l/aanavybasic2.htm

I really like this part:

Processing week is much more organized than Army Basic Training processing

 

[dannybek2]

Reading from these post, most of the people here have never been to MCRD SD or PI. Let alone been in the military.

It is best to get nothing for your cousin. Write letters, no packages, only letters.
Basically all items you bring will be locked up until you graduate.

Semper Fi.

P.S. If you send postcards, which you can, do not mention anything that may get him/her in trouble (e.g. your DI is a dickhed, yatta yatta...) Use words of encouragement, motivation, et cetera.

 

[AmerDoux]

Originally posted by: fiasco
Reading from these post, most of the people here have never been to MCRD SD or PI. Let alone been in the military.

It is best to get nothing for your cousin. Write letters, no packages, only letters.
Basically all items you bring will be locked up until you graduate.

Semper Fi.

P.S. If you send postcards, which you can, do not mention anything that may get him/her in trouble (e.g. your DI is a dickhed, yatta yatta...) Use words of encouragement, motivation, et cetera.

Best advice given so far. Anything other than a sealed letter will get confiscated, stolen, or cause trouble for them.

My son graduated from Army Basic a few weeks ago. The night before Family Day, the DS's piled onto the floor all of the food/candy that had been sent to the unit and gave them 60 seconds to cram it all down. Most of them were sick to their stomachs, a few of them ended up puking.

 

[AaronB]

RagingBITCH covered it but I'll jump on the bandwagon anyway.

I went to PI in '94 and EVERYTHING was confiscated. The only personal effects anyone had was the letters they received while there. And speaking of which, write your friend. That will mean more to him than you could possibly imagine.

It's hard to believe, but boot camp is a lonely place. You may be surrounded by 80 other guys your age but you have almost no opportunity to talk to them. Your only friendly contact will be the letters you receive from family and friends.