Personal non-issued items after BCT

<p>Have them sent to you after BCT; that's my recommendation.</p>

<p>Don't bring anything that is not permitted DURING BCT because the odds are it will be lost, damaged or stolen. Yes, stolen. Patience people, patience. Have things sent AFTER BCT. That's an order!</p>

<p>I wore non-issued running shoes all year since my shoes (like most) from BCT were so beat up from all the abuse they took. You are free to wear whatever footwear you need for physical activities (just be reasonable about getting a conservative design).</p>

<p>i heard we are issued stationary when we arrive, is this sufficient for all of basic? or should we bring most of our own? any advice would be great</p>

<p>I used up all mine. But I had bought notebook paper at the c-store, so I was good to go. I wrote A LOT. If you plan on writing more than about 30 letters, then you will be fine with what's issued.</p>

<p>oh ok cool. so if we bring our own paper/envelopes, will it get taken away? and do we need to bring our own stamps or are we given those?</p>

<p>sorry for the little questions, ive been bugged endlessly by friends and family to write so i want to be prepared</p>

<p>I took some, but ended up having it taken away with my stuff. Probably because I didn't try to keep it (little overwhelmed on I-day to say the least). You are issued stamps. If you feel like you might run low (although your issued about 30) have your family send extras in their letters.</p>

<p>Can't we buy stamps?</p>

<p>is there a way we can bring the addresses of our friends? like an address book perhaps? i doubt it, but is there any way we can have those addresses handy?</p>

<p>Out of curiosity, when do basics have time to write? Lights-out (I think they called it DI at summer seminar)?</p>

<p>Whenver you can, lol. I ve heard about writing in church (I know it sounds bad, but its time...) and some folks suggested mass briefings... and we'll have SOME "personal time" in the evenings, so when youre not shining shoes or whatever we can write... we'll find time.</p>

<p>You can bring addresses. But, the easiest way to get them in, plus any other notes you may want, is inside a bible. I brought my bible and put a couple pieces of paper with addresses in it, helped a lot. </p>

<p>You can write after TAPS. But I did write a couple times in church. If I started feeling drowsy, I would write, I figure writing is less bad than falling asleep in church (although many use that time to go to sleep!). You'll find out soon enough.</p>