<p>Can we bring our own shampoo/face wash/girl stuff, and if so, should we bring enough for all summer or will there be somewhere to shop at with a large variety so we can buy more?</p>
<p>When friends and family send letters, can they include pictures?</p>
<p>Will we be provided with pens and paper for letters home or is that something we should bring?</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>You can bring your own shampoo, and I highly advise you do so. I would bring some smell-good soap too, but only use it when you're not going out in the field the next day. You will be allowed to go to the Cadet Store once or twice, but there's a very small selection and it will probably all be sold out. Friends and family can send pictures. They will provide you with a billion pens as well as stationary and some stamps, but I would suggest bringing more stamps with you. You'll have plenty of paper and envelopes.</p>
<p>I would also suggest that the body wash be antibacterial...At least for me it made me feel (mentally....) like i wasn't dirty and sweaty all the time. Also, bring your own deoderant for sure...I know the thing says they'll give you all that, but its possible they will give you guys deo! Don't go overboard though. A lot of people bought a little scrubby thing when we went to the CStore for the first time too...you might consider bringing that along as well. What I did last year that saved me was I packed everything that i was bringing into ziplock bags of various sizes. Ziplocks will be priceless. From the beginning I would also suggest putting your lovely new cadet handbook in one. You will find that that thing will get torn and wet and nasty if you dont...and of course, they will have no sympathy if it starts to fall apart. The ziplocks will also be handy when you go to the field to put your clothes into. I was able to find 2 gallon sized ones the other day at target. They are HUGE and I have a feeling will be very useful out at Buckner. Also, keep a pen and pencil on you at all times. You will always need them--espeically at briefings and academic validations. I would suggst though, bringing a laundry (permanent) black marker. When you get a chance, make sure you write your name on all your clothess....everything--especially your pants (both the gray ones and BDUs) last year, our cadre took our bdu pants and washed them downstairs in the basements (you of course, won't be able to do that though...) but with everyones pants in the same load, it was likely you didn't get yours back unless they were well marked...</p>
<p>Have fun...and just think, you don't have to deal with the frederick showers! :)</p>
<p>lapunkprincesa,</p>
<p>It's good to see you back! I hope you had a good year.</p>