Armed with my BMT packing list from my recruiter (who is also conveniently my husband) and my trusty, shopping-expert mother-in-law, we smashed out my "What to bring to Basic Training" list in a mere couple hours. We made two stops, at Gap and Target, and we were able to check off my entire list. The other bonus? We did this all about a month and a half ago, so I've been prepped and ready without any last-minute stressors before I leave for Basic Training.
The packing list I received from my recruiter recommended to bring three days of comfortable and non-attention-grabbing civilian clothes, plain and easy-to-clean personal products, prescriptions (thankfully, I don't have any), and other important documents. The list was really basic, and after doing some research around the web (mostly at Aim High Erin's blog) and speaking to several friends in the Air Guard, I tweaked the list to bring only the essentials and things I was personally picky about (i.e. sports bras & underwear)—opting to purchase everything else down at the BX when I arrive at BMT. Plus, half of what I'm bringing is going to be locked away and out of reach the entire time I'm there, anyway, (like my cell phone, makeup & civilian clothes), so this is just what I'm planning to use to get me through the first few days.
Here's a list of all the items from my packing list that I'll be either wearing or fitting into my backpack:
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
| 3 Crew neck t-shirts 1 Pair of jeans Jacket Belt | Running Shoes (Brooks Pure Connect) Black generic shower shoes 6 Pairs of underwear 4 Sports bras | 1 Regular bra 3 Pairs of socks Diamond studs (for graduation day) Eyeglasses |
OTHER ITEMS
| Bible Military ID Social Security Card Driver's License ATM card Prepaid phone card | Watch Small journal/address book Stamps Ballpoint Pens Sharpies Cell phone & charger | Accordion file (containing the following) 10 copies of orders Unit personnel records Marriage certificate Personal photos |
PERSONAL PRODUCTS
| Makeup Shampoo Conditioner Liquid Soap Lotion Facial moisturizer w/ SPF Hairspray (no aerosol) | Chapstick with SPF Toothbrush Toothpaste Floss Deodorant Razor Hairbrush | Hair bands (matching hair color) Bobby pins (matching hair color) Tampons Fingernail clippers Tweezers Small mirror |
The idea that all I'm taking to BMT is myself and a tiny backpack is pretty crazy. I've never packed this light! If you have any questions about any of the items or what's on—or not on—my packing list, please don't hesitate to let me know! I'm happy to provide links to the specific items if you'd like them.
POST BMT UPDATE // I utilized every single thing that I brought with me to BMT. When we did our first mini mall run, I hardly had to buy anything extra—except a few towels and a full-sized body wash, shampoo and hairspray. The only major change I wish I would have made to my packing list would be that I would have instead packed gray sport bras and underwear (instead of black) and just a couple more pairs of each (as it took a while for our laundry crew to figure things out... and day 4 of the same pair of dirty underwear was not something I'd wish upon anyone else). At BMT, black is a lint magnet, so it was a constant battle to keep my undergarments in inspection-ready condition.
Also, your underwear/bras/etc. can be any color and/or pattern under the sun. They don't care and won't make you buy new ones. Just bring whatever. Also, if you wear v-neck t-shirts, they'll make you wear them backwards, so buy crew neck shirts for your first three days. Likewise, if you wear a shirt with a logo on it, you'll be required to turn it inside-out. In addition, if you wear jeans with holes, you'll be required to wear alternate bottoms, like sweats or gym shorts. So keep it simple!
If you're curious about BMT & PT running shoes, click here and read the "post BMT update" down at the bottom. I'm no BMT-packing expert, but if you're looking for a list that will be used throughout your duration at BMT and fit in one small backpack, I'd say I didn't do half bad.
35 comments:
I can't believe that is coming up so soon. I know I am going to miss seeing your posts but then again you'll have so much to write about when you get back.
wow i hope you have a good time, and fullfill whatever it is you neeed! your extremely pretty. http://qr.net/rGQc
Look at you, all ready to go! I'm so excited for you!
holy moly! I could never ever fit everything into one little bag! I'm notorious for over packing!! Good luck with BMT!
I remember showing up to basic and being shocked that all we could have was the clothes we were wearing and one small duffel bag! Of course, you spend the whole first day getting issued like EVERYTHING else! Excited to see how it all goes for you!
Good luck at BMT! Go you!
My husband went to Army BMT and the one thing he wanted when his time was up was REAL food. He said that a few guys thought ahead and brought small, non-perishable treats in their bags that they could indulge in when they finally received their personal items back.
Are you bringing spandex shorts?!
That's the truth! I hope you'll be ready for it :)
/ / Annelise Rowe
www.auniesauce.com
Thanks so much, Emilie. I truly can't wait. Just a little bit longer!!
/ / Annelise Rowe
www.auniesauce.com
I'm the same. I can't afford to over pack for this trip. The more junk I bring, the more push-ups I get... Ha!
/ / Annelise Rowe
www.auniesauce.com
Eek! That makes me excited. I'm so exited to wear a uniform!!!
/ / Annelise Rowe
www.auniesauce.com
Thanks Margo. I'm so stoked!
/ / Annelise Rowe
www.auniesauce.com
Lucky them! I heard the Air Force trashes anything like that. Needless to say, I'm purchasing a TWIX bar and Oreos for the flight down there!!!
/ / Annelise Rowe
www.auniesauce.com
I was just planning to buy the ones they have at the BX down there. I didn't want to spend the money on nice ones and have them be the wrong ones. Any good suggestions?
/ / Annelise Rowe
www.auniesauce.com
I bought Tek Gear brand from Khols! They need to be black, and I suggest longer ones that are mid thigh to knee length. I like the ones I bought because they have a little pocket in the back you can put your money list and 341's. Plus, they had a little elastic at the bottom so they don't ride up. The best part was that they only cost $10-15 each after the coupons and sale that was going which was a bargin. I love UA, but I didn't wanna fork out the cash just to take to BMT! I will buy some nicer ones for tech school. I've heard the ones you can buy at the BX are cotton, and are really bad quality.
I don't know if I am but I know you are. Have fun.
That's a great tip. I'm going to see if I can get over there and check them out. Thanks!
/ / Annelise Rowe
www.auniesauce.com
Okay, maybe pushups could be a motivation to not pack. But i'm going on an overnight trip to do Mary Kay stuff tonight. Four bags. Two are mary kay and two are not. XD
Good luck with BMT! Can't wait to hear about it when you come back!
Laura
www.thelaurawayblog.blogspot.com
A Mary Kay trip... Sounds like heaven!
/ / Annelise Rowe
www.auniesauce.com
It was a lot of fun!
Not much I can add. Just get prepared to get most of your stuff locked up! Tech School will be a lot easier!
Yep! I'm ready for that. As long as it's not thrown away :)
/ / Annelise Rowe
www.auniesauce.com
Were you & or the others able to wear shoes from home to do PT or did they make you buy new ones? If So what's the regulations of the shoes from home?
Hey Myah! Great question. You can totally wear shoes from home. No regulations except for that they must be athletic shoes and they must not have holes. Any color/style is just fine. If you want to purchase shoes when you get down there, you will have the option to do that as well.
I was drawn to your blog while doing some internet searches for those who have been to BMT as I will be leaving in 6 weeks. Now I am captivated because like you, I am going down there through the Air National Guard here in NH, the 157th Air Refueling Wing, I also love running and am a Christian. With BMT coming so close now, (I enlisted in March) I am trying to get my mind ready and my family (wife and three kids) as best as possible. If you would be so kind, I have some questions I am hoping you can address for me. I have heard other BMT grads in other blogs post about bringing a black duffle bag to BMT as that is the only type of bag they will let you use at tech school. I noticed you brought a blue one, did you have any issues with that? And with the use of cell phones, again others have said their MTI's would let them use cell phones during the earmarked times to call home, were you able to? Thanks!
Hi J! Thanks so much for your questions. I'm happy to help out :) OK, so I brought my blue backpack for 2 reasons. 1-Yes, you can only travel with approved luggage colors while you're in uniform. Those are typically black, ABU print, sometimes navy blue and sometimes sage green. I always stick to solid black to be safe. I knew my blue one wouldn't be a problem because my husband was bringing my black ANG one when he came to graduation. I didn't want to bring that one down with me because it already had an AF logo on it, and I was hesitant that they might pick on me for "already thinking I was a part of the AF" or something. After all the horror stories I've heard, I tried to play it safe. And 2--I came home instead of going straight to tech school (I leave in October) so that's why I didn't have my required luggage with me :) When you leave for tech school, most people had a black backpack, their green duffel bag (you'll be issued it) and maybe 1 other suitcase, duffel or hanging clothing bag.
To address your next question--that depended. It's all MTI preference. You're required to get 3 phone calls. One when you arrive, one at 2 weeks and one the week before graduation. We had a few others because we were down there over Easter and Mother's day, but for those holidays we had to use pay phones and did not have access to our cell phones. The only time we used our cells were our 3 mandatory calls. All others were pay phones. You also will get a base liberty (hopefully) around 4th and 7th week, and I also used that time to call home via pay phone. Don't worry about bringing a calling card with you--you can purchase one on your first BX trip during week 1.
If you have more questions, please let me know! I'm here to help :)
Those are great answers, thanks for taking the time to respond. As for the bag, I never thought of having my wife bring my ANG bag out, that is a great idea. Was that something he gave you on that last Sunday before you left so that you could pack all of your personal stuff in it before shipping back home? How did the MTI's handle the new Airman getting stuff from their loved ones and bringing it back to the dorms (bags, gifts, tablets, lap tops, other personal effects, etc)? BTW, I love reading all your blog posts, count me as a new follower!
Hi again! Thank YOU for writing back :) Glad I could help... seriously, helping people is a huge love of mine! So yes, I brought that backpack back on Sunday after we said goodbye to them, and gave him my blue one to take home. I packed it up that night to head back the next day.
So the MTI's were kind of absent those last few days. We didn't really see them much at all, which was good, but kind of sad, too :) (depending on your MTI, you might share this same sentiment!). You can bring anything you want with you back to the dorms as long as it fits in your stuff when you leave WITH THE EXCEPTION of anything electronic. If you bring an ipod, laptop, phone, etc, you risk literally being sent back weeks with a big, fat recycle. Most people had their electronics shipped to them. If you're curious about when you get your cell phone back, it's right as you're getting on the bus to head to the airport :)
And thanks for following! I appreciate it a bunch!
You are awesome! So no cell phone during town passes? I know your husband is military so this next one might not pertain to you, but being in the ANG, we can get a lot of our paperwork stuff out of the way like finances, ID cards, insurances, etc, ahead of time, but I am curious if I need to still fill out a visitor request access pass for my wife when she visits since she already has a military dependent ID card. As it stands, she can visit any of the local bases up here where I live no problem and use the same services, is Lackland so much different with their security that she would be denied entry simply for not having that check done even though that does not apply to my home base in NH? The Lackland visitor guide describes appropriate DoD military IDs, the CAC card and retired personnel, but does not mention dependent cards. Any insight on that?
You've got some great questions! :) And nope, no cell phone during town pass. You could borrow your wife's, I suppose, but no--they won't give you yours until you're leaving base for good! :)
As far as the VARL goes, you probably don't need to fill it out for her, but I would anyway, since she has a dependent card. You're right, I didn't need to fill it out for my husband because of his military ID, and I believe hers would qualify under that as well, but better be safe than sorry, right? All you need is her birth date and driver's license number. May as well have that on had just in case!
And yes--it's a HUGE advantage to getting all that info filled out and done before going down there. The ANG has some major bonuses! :)
I'm so glad I found your blog! I've been interested in joining myself and I am anxiously awaiting October 1st when our recruiting offices open again. Out of curiosity, how long did it take for you to go to Basic? I've heard from other forums that I can expect to wait 6-8 months for the process. Thank you!
Hi Erica! Thanks so much for your question. I enlisted in November and left for BMT in April. So not too long, but I applied for a waiver to do a break-in-training to make it easier on my civilian job. So I think that's why I got bumped to an earlier date. Without the waiver, I wouldn't have left until August. No matter what the wait time is, though, it's worth it--I promise! :)
Please let me know if you have more questions!
Thank you so much for responding quickly! I do have one more question, I read online that the Air Force recently changed their age limit for new recruits. Since my recruiters are afk I can't ask them yet, but do you have any info on this by chance? My 28th birthday would fall in the middle of next year and I wouldn't want to miss out.
Good question. They didn't lower it, they raised it! I think they're taking anyone up to age 39. I know in the Air Guard it's 40, so you're good!!
/ / Annelise Rowe
www.auniesauce.com
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