Just a short list of what you should bring to bootcamp -

[Craig]

Just a short list of what you should bring to bootcamp.

Make sure you get enough sleep before you gets to GL. You'll be glad you did. You will be up for a long time the 1st couple days.
Make sure you bring:
- An address book with everyones address and telephone number.
- Bank account infomation. Most kids will just open a Navy Federal Credit Union checking/saving account.
- If you have a shot record try to get it into your medical record prior to it being sealed. (This may/maynot prevents you of getting all the dang shots)
- Bring another copy of your shot record with you.
- Bring a calling card. Write down the number in your address book, in case you lose it. Make Damm sure the calling card is ACTIVATED before you arrive!
- Make damm sure you warn your parents about the 15 second phone call that you will make when you arrive in GL. This call will freak them out if they don't understand it's only 15 seconds long. This call will be your last one for a while.
- Everything you wears, will be either shipped back or given to the goodwill. My recommendation is to wear all throw away clothes that you don't want, and just give they away. It saves money on shipping. Shipping comes out of your paycheck. Remember, warn your parents about "The Box", tell them it's the way the Navy has to show you're starting a new life and all the crap in "the Box" is the part of your old life.
- Bring a Cell phone that has been charged up. You can use it all the way up until you get to the USO at the Chicago Airport.
- As morbid as it sounds, another thing you to do need to do is figure out who gets your death benefits in case something happens to you. Most kids will split it up between the Parents 50%/50%. You also needs to know if both parents die, then who is next on the list. (ie maybe a sister for 100%)?
Yes, these are the things that no one ever thinks about. So nows the time to talk about real life things and how people need to prepare....... Within 2 days of arriving, you have to make these decisions.
- Bring is at least $25 in CASH! That way you can get something to eat at the airport when get to Chicago! Once get to GL, you don't want to be hungry.
- Buy alot of the "Forever Stamps",
- You can also have a small religious medal.
- A small Bible.
- Birth certificate, if married also:
- marriage certificate
- birth certificate of all dependants
- and a copy of you spouses drivers license for the medical insurance sign up.
- You should also get a durable power of attorney for health care and an health care directive. That way, god forbid, if you get hurt you can find out whats going on and you know just what life saving/ prolonging measures you want. Again, this is not to frighten you, you are an adult now and these are the things you have to prepare for.
- A watch.
- Wedding ring

Lastly, invite your parents here to NavyDEP. We have alot of knowledge about all that will happen to you.
That's all I can think of now... Please add more things you think you should bring to this thread....

[Spook22]

Thanks for this man. I was wondering about the shot records myself. However as I understand it, it will not stop you from getting all your amazing awesome happy fun shots.

[NavyMom2007]

If you take a Bible, you can write all your addresses in the back and skip the address book. Don't forget to write a short note to your parents or loved one while you're on the plane. Slip it in your pocket so they have a short note that you're going to be okay and that you appreciate them. Believe me, "the box" is searched for such notes or at least clues as to the final minutes before you seal it up. Oh, and tell your parents if your pants legs are rolled up, it's because you didn't have time to roll them down after getting measured for boots. I thought for sure that Andrew had been in trouble for wearing baggy jeans. One final thing, make sure your boots fit. We've heard of Recruits suffering the entire time because they didn't want to speak up. Not good!

[Brooketut7]

We just had a meeting with three Chief Petty Officers, a Captain, and two Officers, and the Officers said that when you go to boot camp you only need copies of your marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. I've read that you need to actually have the originals. Which one is right? I'd much rather just take copies and keep the originals safely at home if I can.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Brooketut7

We just had a meeting with three Chief Petty Officers, a Captain, and two Officers, and the Officers said that when you go to boot camp you only need copies of your marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. I've read that you need to actually have the originals. Which one is right? I'd much rather just take copies and keep the originals safely at home if I can.

Copies only. Do not bring orginals... If they want to investigate it, then let them investigate it.

[asailorswife]

What Craig said.. Copies. You don't need originals, and if they say you do, tell them to get it themselves.

[Shortone1286689]

Originally Posted by NavyMom2007

If you take a Bible, you can write all your addresses in the back and skip the address book. Don't forget to write a short note to your parents or loved one while you're on the plane. Slip it in your pocket so they have a short note that you're going to be okay and that you appreciate them. Believe me, "the box" is searched for such notes or at least clues as to the final minutes before you seal it up. Oh, and tell your parents if your pants legs are rolled up, it's because you didn't have time to roll them down after getting measured for boots. I thought for sure that Andrew had been in trouble for wearing baggy jeans. One final thing, make sure your boots fit. We've heard of Recruits suffering the entire time because they didn't want to speak up. Not good!

That's good to know. I ship 20110907 and while my parents are both completely supportive, I just know Mom's silently freaking out that I'm leaving. I kinda look forward to leaving her an "I'm alive and well" note.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Shortone1286689

That's good to know. I ship 20110907 and while my parents are both completely supportive, I just know Mom's silently freaking out that I'm leaving. I kinda look forward to leaving her an "I'm alive and well" note.

To me, I think it is cool to do that.... It shows respect....

[BobH]

Hello all,
Lurker here, thanks for everyones posts! My son is shipping Sept 19 and I'm starting to make a list for him to bring. What size address book would be best? This might depend on how much personel space they can lock-up. (Do they have lockable space?) Where does their DL, SS, and Birth cert get stored? Is a small 2x3 better or a 5x7 work better for the address book? Would they ever put this in their pocket? Also, would making a color copy of his SS card be a good idea?

Thanks,
-Bob

[Otis Flywheel]

Originally Posted by NavyMom2007

Don't forget to write a short note to your parents or loved one while you're on the plane. Slip it in your pocket so they have a short note that you're going to be okay and that you appreciate them. Believe me, "the box" is searched for such notes or at least clues as to the final minutes before you seal it up.

So the RDC's WILL search our clothes for notes or they WOLNT? I was wanting to send a letter home but if I could possibly get in trouble for doing so I wolnt.

[Laworlo]

What about a watch? What type of watch would they allow?

[Laworlo]

Oh, and also, my aunt wanted to buy my a shoe shining kit. Would they allow me to keep that?

[asMA1001]

Originally Posted by NavyMom2007

If you take a Bible, you can write all your addresses in the back and skip the address book. Don't forget to write a short note to your parents or loved one while you're on the plane. Slip it in your pocket so they have a short note that you're going to be okay and that you appreciate them. Believe me, "the box" is searched for such notes or at least clues as to the final minutes before you seal it up.

Wait can we stuff a note in the box or no? Or is it not recommended ?

[savphoto]

When I went through, I just wrote quick notes on the inside of the box itself. Nobody stopped or questioned me.

[Auridan]

What NM2007 meant was that the box is searched by your loved ones when they get it, as they're looking for any clue about what was going on with you just then. Of course, not everyone does that. My mom took my phone out of the box without realizing the battery was taken out and also in the box, and never noticed until she took it up with her for my graduation.

If you do want to send a note, have it written beforehand, because you won't have time to write one when you get there (or you'll get screamed at for doing so). Or scribble a quick line on the box.