<p>Lets talk about what our midshipman will need to take with him to make his 1st time at sea rewarding. Please do not hold back.</p>
<p>(from a dad’s perspective)
- good (waterproof if possible) digital camera
- external USB hard drive (to save the sea project data…and pictures!)
- good pair of boots/shoes
- pictures (so he/she doesn’t forget who you are)
- a cell phone that will accept a foreign SIM card, so he/she can call you…not that they will…
- did I say camera?
- Laminated posters of Ragin and Hauser, for those lonely nights</p>
<p>LOL, JRH although M/Sgt Hauser has been gone for quite some time, I’m sure he would be deeply moved to know that he made such a lasting impression.</p>
<p>Invest in a good camera for your Midn, I would suggest a Canon or Nikon SLR. There are kits at Costco or Sams Club. Parents it is worth the investment, your Midn will take the picturs of their lifetime.</p>
<p>We hold Going to Sea seminars twice a year before the midshipmen go to sea for the first time. We have the upperclassmen share their knowledge and experience about going to sea. We also have men who have sailed on the crew of ships, tell what is important for impressing the captain and crew.</p>
<p>We hold a Going to Sea seminar exclusively for girls also. This is at the Band of Sisters group.</p>
<p>These have been very worthwhile, and the students say that they have been a great help in having a good experience at sea. Tell your mid to see me at Cookie Cafe for details when the next one is coming up (May). It will be held, along with a picnic, on a Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p>From my observations, in addition to the other posts:</p>
<p>Pelican flashlight 2400 <a href=“http://pelican-flashlight.com/images/2400.pdf[/url]”>http://pelican-flashlight.com/images/2400.pdf</a>
Portable light table (if engineer)
I would not take a SLR camera as they tend to get banged around…buy the Olympus water/shock/freeze proof camera
Do not pack too many civilian cloths…just a few outfits
Lots of undershirts and skivvies</p>
<p>I hear a good Leatherman comes in handy as well</p>
<p>Don’t forget a good knife - we got this for our DS</p>
<p>[::</a> Spyderco Product Details ::](<a href=“Atlantic Salt™ Yellow FRN - Spyderco, Inc.”>Atlantic Salt™ Yellow FRN - Spyderco, Inc.)</p>
<p>Colorado Parents carry this but I don’t believe they have it in yellow which makes it easier to see if dropped - this was a big hit w the boy and he has told us it is one of the best tools he carries.</p>
<p>yeah…definitely a good knife. I bought a Spyderco for the boy for his birthday and from what I hear it’s definitely the right one.</p>
<p>I hear a head light is especially helpful to trace all the pipes in the engine room where it can be dark.</p>
<p>This knofe looks great, thank you</p>
<p>Guess I should spell “knife” the right way, don’t want to get yelled at!!</p>
<p>Olympus water/shock/freeze proof camera or a Canon or Nikon SLR. What are the pros and cons? Where would be the best place to buy one of these units? Thank you</p>
<p>I would not take a SLR camera as they tend to get banged around…buy the Olympus water/shock/freeze proof camera</p>
<p>Speaking of things getting banged around, remind them to secure their laptops in heavy seas. Guess how I know about that! :)</p>
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<p>LOLLOLOLOLOLOL Thats just too much. LOL</p>
<p>Son is a “deckie” & he LOVED that knife. He also found it handy to have a flashlight with the red night filter for use at night up on the bridge. Pelican makes those as well. So depending on if your son is a deckie or engine, the things they find useful might differ. The camera is a must. The photos are just too awesome for words. (Some were kinda scary & I could have done without…) :D</p>
<p>Camera:
Waterproof camera is great. We DIDN’T to that initially (DS had one of those pocket cameras that telescope in/out when you turn them on). Dropped. Now, no more telescoping :(</p>
<p>SECOND camera IS the waterproof one (just like SuzanneGra and JRH have recommended). NO complaints in the least. PS. Taking underwater pics is fun too!</p>
<p>Flashlight:
SureFire makes great tactical lights as well. Get the incandescent head, since it cuts through steam and smoke. LEDs, while more lumens, get bounced back more in that environment. DS has added the LED one for regular use. EVERYONE on the ship really like it. (drawback… little special high-discharge batteries… but inexpensive and quite long lasting). Pelican flashlight, previously discussed, takes standard sized batts–AA, I think.</p>
<p>Clothing:
Ever ship is different, but less uniforms and more Work clothes. Plan on discarding them when your Mid returns. You can’t get them clean. And you WON’T want them to even TOUCH your washing machine.
Same with the Engineering Mid, although discarding is not an option… He WON’T be ‘clean’ for about 7-10 days, no matter how much he scrubs. It’s just ground-in stuff. He’s not so much dirty as just… stained. </p>
<p>And from the Engineering group, they universally suggest that the Deckies bring more crayons for coloring up there, in case they run out
(ok. that last one I sorta made up)</p>
<p>Laundry bags (net/mesh), various sizes…
They are great for ‘organizing’ piles, and are also really good for keeping ‘gifts’ together in one place, and easy to grab/pack. </p>
<p>DS ran out of laundry detergent… I dunno. But that was his story, and he’s sticking to it 
</p>
<p>Baby wipes are a quick way to freshen up without taking a shower, when a little something extra is needed. Works really well for Indoc as well.</p>
<p>Shaving kit (be real, pack LESS in there that you expect to use. you won’t )
Deodorant kit (be real, pack MORE in there than you expect to use. It’s HOT in the engine room).</p>
<p>I was at Costco today and they have the Olympus WP, FP, SP camera in stock.</p>
<p>For engine i would recommend a pair of good ear muffs (like what you would use at a shooting range). I loved the pair I got and cant believe no one had mentioned them in the sea year lectures that we had every Monday morning.
A good flashlight is a must. I had a surefire G2 (polymer incandescent). If you decide on this flashlight then make sure you have spare batteries.
A leatherman or other type of multi-tool is perfect. It has knife, pliers, and other random things. The engineers really liked the fact that I had one.</p>
<p>Which model number on the Olympus water proof camera? Thanks, by the way, son will be a decke!</p>