Preparation Checklist
The following information will make your transition from civilian to Army life easier. Listed below are required items along with items that will not be permitted. Ask your Recruiter for a more detailed list.
Clothing
- One-day supply of casual, comfortable clothing (no halter-tops or ragged shorts)
- Three sets of underwear (white)
- One pair of white, calf-length athletic socks (no color bands, designs or logos) Additional socks will be purchased at the post exchange (PX)
- A pair of comfortable shoes
- Eyeglasses (no faddish/stylish eyewear)
- Luggage should be limited to one small suitcase or gym bag
Lock
- One lock (combination or padlock with two keys) Additional lock will be purchased at PX
Toiletries
- Disposable/safety razor with blades
- Shaving cream (optional for women)
- Toothbrush with case
- Hairbrush or 6" black comb
- One washcloth and towel (Additional items will be purchased at the PX)
- Anti-perspirant
- Shower shoes
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Shampoo
- Soap and soap case
Money
- $10, but no more than $50 in cash
- Traveler's Checks or Money Orders (Personal checks are not recommended because of limited check-cashing facilities.)
Documents You May Need
- Social Security card
- Valid driver's license or current state identification card
- A direct deposit form from your checking account signed by a bank official, or the name, address, account number and routing number of your financial institution (if applicable)
- Original or certified copies of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or separation order (if applicable)
- Original or certified copies of birth certificates of children under 18; affidavit of support from parents; court documents and direct deposit forms if ordered to pay spousal and/or child support (if applicable)
- Proof of citizenship (if you were not born in the United States)
- If you are married to a service member in the military, you need to have the name, Social Security number and military address of your spouse
- Copies of your lease agreement or rental contract for any dependents residing outside of government quarters (if applicable)
- Original or certified ROTC documentation (if applicable)
- Original college transcripts; GED or high school diploma
Your Orders
- Be sure to have all copies of orders and documents issued by your unit Recruiter and/or MEPS. These orders must be delivered by you and by hand. Travel and meal tickets will be provided.
- Family
- Pets
- Privately owned vehicles
- Expensive personal items — cameras, radios, tape players, jewelry and costly watches are hard to safeguard during training.
- Nonprescription drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Steel hair picks
- Razor blades
- Weapons of any type, including pocket knives
- Obscene or pornographic material
- Alcoholic beverages
- Playing cards/dice/dominoes
- Cigarettes/tobacco products
- Batteries (except size "D")
Additional Items Women Might Need Or Desire To Bring To BCT
- Undergarments: Panties (cotton recommended), bras, and one full slip (all neutral shade), flesh-tone nylons or pantyhose.
Appropriate Hairstyles
- Hairstyles not considered appropriate when in uniform: Ponytail, extreme bouffant styles, exotic upsweeps and the corkscrew or "corn row" styles.
Clothing And Jewelry
- Do not mix items of civilian clothing with your uniform and vice versa.
- You may wear quarter-inch or less pearl, gold, silver or diamond spherical earrings with Army uniforms, except for the Army Combat
Uniform (ACU) and Physical Fitness Uniform.
- Introduction - Choosing to Serve
INTRODUCTION
Choosing to Serve
Before I joined the Army I was actually an armored car driver.
I joined the Army first for my education
I joined the Army to put some honor behind my last name.
I felt that within myself I had the ability to do more.
And then I also joined because I wanted to better prepare myself for life.
And I also wanted to accomplish a goal that no one else has accomplished in my family.
I love all of the Army, and there are so many parts that I was so worried about that I wouldn't make it through. It's been an experience, and incredible experience, and I look back and it's more fun than anything now.
Everything's fun. Everything's as fun as you make it. If you like to jump in mud puddles they let you do that here. If you like to climb monkey bars they let you do that here. If you like to climb down 65 foot cargo nets they let you do that here. If you like to repel down walls, that's also something you get to do here that you probably won't ever do in the civilian world.
I joined the Army because I wanted a challenge and I didn't really want to go straight to college, and I knew the Army would help me with the college tuition.
I enrolled myself in the ROTC program, and it will basically pay for my tuition and any other educational materials you need.
Basic training is built for you to succeed. All you got to do is give the effort. Once you give the effort the Drill Sergeant will see, and they'll make sure you succeed. And your battle buddies will see it, and they'll make sure you succeed.
At first it's a feeling that you can't complete, but then when you complete it, you're like, "I wish I could do it all over again."
My biggest surprise at Basic Combat Training was actually the relationship that developed with our Drill Sergeants.
The Drill Sergeant's mission is to get us together to work and function as a team so that we can accomplish the goal that they set ahead of us.
Our entire company is like a big family now. We all care about each other greatly.
You find a lot of really good relationships and friendships that can be built here.
We're all different, and after being here a few weeks we all become one.
Stereotypes don't really happen here. It's not really a gender thing, we just all have our jobs to do. We're all Soldiers, we all wear the same uniform.
I have always admired those in uniform, and I've always wanted to be in the uniform. And now I've got that chance, and now I'm very proud of myself to do it.
