What to bring
 

Thank you all for this wonderful forum! I've learned so much!

I leave next Tuesday--crazy 9 month wait is over!

I'll be staying at the hotel the night before and am trying to get organized.

As far as what I can bring, I know it will all be mailed back. Toothbrush & paste, deodorant? Should I just throw them away at the hotel?

The battery in my phone doesn't last very long. There is no way it would last basically two days from when I check in with my recruiter to the "I'm here" call to my parents the next night. Is it a problem if I bring the charger?

May I bring a drawstring bag to put all of this in? (Those nike one's that are small)

And phone cards--anyone recommend a company?

Thanks!

You can bring those small things..they will just be sent home with your other stuff..good luck!

As for the calling cards check out this website they give you free ones http://callsforrecruits.org/

What are calling cards? Like how are they used? I've never used a payphone lol

They're pretty simple, you just dial the 800 number on the card, put in a PIN, then they'll prompt you to dial the number you're trying to call. They're used for when the phone you're using doesn't have a long distance plan, you just pay for the call with the prepaid card.

Ohhh... lol I get it now

If you get a calling card..make sure you activate it BEFORE you go to boot!

Don't wear your favorite underwear. I wore my lucky underwear the day I shipped, and they made me throw it away. I was sad

Thanks all! Off to the hotel tomorrow!

Instead of starting a new thread, I have one question. Would it be okay to bring my iPod with me? I would like to relax using the music during the plane ride and at the hotel. I know it will be sent home upon arriving at boot--just want to make sure I am allowed to take it with me though.

iPod is fine... it'll just go in the box to be sent home. I brought my DEP backpack with a change of clothes, disposable toiletries, my iPhone and charger, a book, and my START guide... all of it went in the box.

theres a section of the start guide of everything you can have... page 21

And basically it is mostly wrong...you cant keep hardly anything..you can keep a couple of stamps, your ID, a small bible, very small address book, a few dollars and a debit card.

thats all in there