[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....