What items should a new recruit take with them to basic training?

[cranemech]

First of all, my thanks to any/all that served.

A friend of my son is going into the Army and ships out to basic training in April. What items should he take with him to make his life a little easier? Can he receive packages? Are there any restricted items that we should be aware of sending to him during basic training? Someone told me that cell phones are a restricted item during basic, any truth to this.

Thanks for the replies.

[Atomic Donut]

Try to bring as little as possible. Basic things on checklist they provide, not a thing extra. Cell phone and charger bring a they can use them during reception (0 week).

[Atomic Donut]

Also I would refrain from sending anything other than letters. You can send pics and news articles just do not send pornography and DO NOT send food/cookies. During my time at lackland some dumbasses mom sent him a box of twinkles and the entire flight ha to pay for it big time.

[Gutz]

Don't take anything.

[johnthomas]

Here you go, scroll down for the service he is going in to.

http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/boot-camp-checklist.html

[cranemech]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies.

Johnthomas, thanks for the awesome link.

[epilepticninja]

Don't take anything.

x Infinity. If the Army wanted him to bring something, they would have issued it beforehand.

[nastyhabts26]

stationary and stamps

[NastyNate]

A dildo and gay porn.

Nasty Nate

[CavTrooper]

Tooth brush and a change of underwear.

[ducky_0811]

the army will allow him to use pay phones on the weekends...why i dont know. he will also be given trips to the exchange every week so any creature comforts he wants im sure the army will let him buy. tell him that if he wants to grow up and join the big boy gun club, to cancel his contract with the army, go next door and sign with the Marines!

[SGT Loco]

Like others said, a lot of training sites allow cell phone use a couple times throughout training, so bring that. I don't remember if I bought my toothbrush there or used my own. They make you wear the tighty tannies, so extra underwear were a moot point until you left... Obviously, he'll need stuff to get him through a day or two of travel to/from the training site, and that's it. Mother Army will make you buy the rest, whether you want to or not.

Care packages are pretty much a no-go at basic.

[thebloodsonthewall]

the army will allow him to use pay phones on the weekends...why i dont know. he will also be given trips to the exchange every week so any creature comforts he wants im sure the army will let him buy. tell him that if he wants to grow up and join the big boy gun club, to cancel his contract with the army, go next door and sign with the Marines!

When I was at basic we couldn't use pay phones. If someone didn't have their phone they would have to try and find someone that would share that 5 or so minutes we were given our phones for. Creature comforts in basic? Yeah right. We got to go to the exchange to get hair cuts and to replace broken stuff or get essential junk. I'll ignore the Marines comment.

[guitar-nut]

the army will allow him to use pay phones on the weekends...why i dont know. he will also be given trips to the exchange every week so any creature comforts he wants im sure the army will let him buy. tell him that if he wants to grow up and join the big boy gun club, to cancel his contract with the army, go next door and sign with the Marines!

Apparently the marines get it easy. For Army basic, there were definitely no pay phones and we only went to the PX twice during all of OSUT (that's about 14 weeks) so bring extra deodorant (not anti-perspirant) as well as extra bar soap (no liquid) and possibly tooth paste. And extra blades for your razor, almost forgot that.

[Che762x39]

Letters is always good.

Grandma should not send cookies. One recruit's little brother send him a marijuana cigarette, not a good ideal.

YMMV