How to prepare to ship to the United States Army Basic Combat Training

Preparing to ship off to the United States Army enlisted Basic Combat Training (Boot Camp) is one of the most challenging items addressed by new soldiers. The United States Army web site and some other resources on the web offer some information. This is a straight forward, easy to understand tutorial based on much experience, and is designed to tell you what to really expect. This applies to Regular Army, Army Reserve, and the National Guard.

This tutorial assumes that you have enlisted in the United States Army under standard recruitment and excludes Officer Commissioning of all kinds except the OCS Enlistment Option which applies to the National Guard.  Physical fitness preparations are always assumed, this addresses preparing to arrive.

On the day you ship out, you will need the clothes that you are actually wearing.  Take one pair of undergarments in the unlikely event that you are not issued uniforms on the very first day you arrive.  You will not need your civilian clothes at any point; therefore do not bring additional socks, shirts, etc.  There is no liberty leave at any time during Basic Combat Training (BCT), and in the rare event of an exodus (A period of time usually over the winter holidays that you may be sent home on leave), you will wear your “Class A” Uniform and not civilian clothes.  Pack your few clothes in a small cloth bag, do not bring any luggage. (After graduation, you will fold the cloth bag and place it in the large bag that is issued to you.)  In Reception, you will take various tests and will carry your bag with you.  In actual BCT that occurs after reception, you will carry your bag with you along with issued gear.  This is why it is crucial that your civilian bag is not in your way.  If you bring a suitcase, you will regret it.  Most BCT Drill Instructors will not allow you to place your bag down on the ground unless you are in a formation.

You will not need much cash.  Bring about $50 in small bills, one credit card, an ATM card if you have one, and one calling card for incidentals that may arise while in transit to the army post.  After you arrive at post, you will not have any need for the cash or credit card.  You will get a chance to use the calling card at some point.  Do not bring more than 1 or 2 pictures. Do not bring key chains, keys, jewelry, cigarettes {1}, or other tobacco {2}.  Bring a small writing pad, envelopes, a roll of stamps, and 2 ink pens.  Most BCT training installations only accept smart cards that are issued to you, and you will not have any opportunity to go non-military shopping until after graduation.  The cash you arrive on post with is the cash you will leave with.  Your military pay will be directly deposited into your bank account.  Your ATM card will only be used after graduation.  If you do not have an ATM card, you will get one when you open your account on post.

Bring travel sizes of the following items:

** Toothpaste

** Toothbrush

** Disposable razor (male)

** Shave cream (male)

** Antiperspirant deodorant

** Soap

** Mouthwash

** Brush

** Comb (female)

** Feminine hygiene (female)

** Legally prescribed medicine (bring documentation)

** One roll of toilet paper (trust me…)

Everything you need will be issued to you.  Keep it simple by bringing only the bare essentials. Do not bring personal radio players, cell phones, or anything.   Use your supplies wisely because you are taken to the PX (Post Exchange) to resupply on limited scheduled intervals.  Toilet paper is either in the stall or most likely rationed to you, but it is usually not enough.

{1} United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), 2010.

{2} OCS Foundation, 2010.