<p>Thanks to all the packing list suggestions, my s has compiled a pretty simple list of what to take. I need clarification on a few items though:</p>
<p>Lighters - I'm assuming these are the multi-purpose ones (as opposed to cigarette lighters :-0). Out of curiousity, what do they use these for?</p>
<p>Underwear - it's been suggested for women to bring a lot due to slow laundry. What about the men? Should the men bring underwear or will enough be issued? (I'm laughing thinking of him as a "man"...I initally typed 'boy').</p>
<p>Do the new cadets do their own laundry during beast? If not, who does it and how often? How are black socks and black sock liners kept from getting mixed up with other cadets' stuff? </p>
<p>Cadets are given several machine washable laundry bags to separate their laundry in to individual bags (i.e. whites, ACUs, etc.). The cadet lists each bag's contents being sent out on different inventory sheets. Then all these "separated" bags are put in a bigger bag and sent out to be washed. The items stay in the "separated" bags through the washing and drying process. Once items are dried, some bags are opened and the items are taken out and folded, others like sox and PT clothing are not. Laundry is sent out once a week. </p>
<p>During Beast you can handwash, but you may be too tired. You can do your own laundry during the academic year, but $30 a month is charged to your cadet account for laundry.</p>
<p>If your Prospective Cadet is flying in for R-Day, be sure to check your airline's allowed carryon items. Cigarette lighters were not an allowed carryon item last year on the airline my son used. Sorry, I am not sure how they use the lighters.</p>
<p>Lighters: Are used for a number of things. You remove loose strings on your uniforms with them because that’s the standard and pulling on them doesn’t work too well. You melt the ends of 550 cord with them because that’s the standard. You need to have them because they will be used and it doesn’t look great if someone chooses to bum off others.</p>
<p>Underwear: Will be issued for both genders. Laundry is a bit too slow for comforts sake, but for males, at least, it isn’t a health concern.</p>
<p>The only clothes I brought were those for the trip. I didn’t need any more. I wouldn’t fret over laundry. It all takes care of itself.</p>
<p>About the underwear... women should bring how many pairs of plain cotton briefs (i'm assuming)? I'm bringing extra sports bras but i wasn't sure about bring underwear.</p>
<p>My daughter took about 8-10 pairs with her. They were cotton bikinis that she was used to wearing, not briefs (not thongs either). Read on the forums that wearing briefs add another layer of cloth/elastic at the waist which could chafe. Also, was advised to wear the underwear inside out to keep the seam lines from digging in. </p>
<p>She ended up with about a dozen bras, mostly sports bras, by the time Beast was over. She started with the 6 or so listed, and then I sent up another 5 or 6 during Beast when she requested them.</p>
<p>These amounts seemed to work well for her. Keep in mind that there is limited storage.</p>
<p>"This comment surprises me. My son has always talked about how cadets share items."</p>
<p>That is perfectly true. We do. However, notice that I used the word “chooses”. To loose or forget an item is pardonable so long as you make a point of remedying the situation as soon as possible, but to not have something because you know you will be helped out makes you look really bad. The same attitude that makes people so willing to help others also makes someone who consistently chooses to depend on others very much resented. With something as small as lighters it’s not likely to get very bad, but it’s best to avoid that persona as much as possible.</p>
<p>
[quote]
but to not have something because you know you will be helped out makes you look really bad.
[/quote]
How does this apply in this case?
I agree with WaMom68 - how can anyone hold it against a cadet for NOT bringing items such as a lighter or a leatherman? They are NOT on the official list of items to bring. The OFFICIAL line from West Point admissions is do NOT bring anything extra.</p>
<p>Now I think I get what somexp is saying. If the item is available on post you should get your own when you can and not bum off others the entire summer (or semester).</p>
<p>My son traveled alone by air to R-day so he could not bring a lighter. He just bought one when he was able. He did bring a leatherman and was happy to share.</p>
<p>same question here...regular lighters or are we allowed a cool zippo or something like that? obviously with a zippo we would need fluid and flint, cheap yes, ... but allowed? thanks</p>
<p>"how can anyone hold it against a cadet for NOT bringing items such as a lighter or a leatherman? They are NOT on the official list of items to bring. The OFFICIAL line from West Point admissions is do NOT bring anything extra."</p>
<p>A new cadet won't get in trouble for not bringing anything extra, yes. It would just be best to have this stuff.</p>
<p>"Now I think I get what somexp is saying. If the item is available on post you should get your own when you can and not bum off others the entire summer (or semester)."</p>
<p>Yes, that's pretty much all I meant. Really, it was silly of me to pursue such an obvious point. The only point is to have the things needed as soon as possible, borrow if you have to, but don't be the person who ALWAYS needs to borrow something. That's a very rare situation, and most people will intuitively do the right thing. Also, there are plenty of people who will let you borrow things indefinitely, you just need to be sure you're dealing with one of them.</p>
<p>So, I exagerrated a good deal and am sorry if I gave the wrong idea.</p>
<p>Somexp- what kind of lighters would be best? A cigarette lighter or one of those long ones that I use for lighting my candles and bbq, etc? I think I'll just pick him up one when we get to New York.</p>
<p>I think the lighter and a leatherman are the only two extra items he wants to bring. I might send some blister band aids just in case he gets to keep them.</p>
<p>"I might send...... just in case he gets to keep them."</p>
<p>The way it works is that during in-processing new cadets are ordered to take out all authorized items from their civilian bag and put them in their issued bag. All unauthorized items must be left in their civilian bag which is stored in the trunk room for the summer. There are not enough cadre to check every item. It is assumed that the new cadets will follow orders......</p>
<p>So does that mean that all of us that are planning on bringing a lighter, blister bandaids & a leatherman will have to leave them in storage all summer? </p>
<p>There are so many cadets on this board who have told us how they used them during beast. How did you get them?</p>
<p>"Somexp- what kind of lighters would be best? A cigarette lighter or one of those long ones that I use for lighting my candles and bbq, etc? I think I'll just pick him up one when we get to New York."</p>
<p>Cigarette lighters are fine. Anything that makes a flame.</p>
<p>"So does that mean that all of us that are planning on bringing a lighter, blister bandaids & a leatherman will have to leave them in storage all summer? </p>
<p>There are so many cadets on this board who have told us how they used them during beast. How did you get them?"</p>
<p>All those items are authorized. What happens during R-day is they give you 2 seconds to read a list of "authorized" items to transfer to the bag you will bring to your room. You pack what you read or pack what you know you need. The only way you can get in trouble for bringing the wrong items is if the cadre find it in your room. They will not have any issues if they find lighters or anything else you need, regardless of what was on that list.</p>
<p>I'm not saying you should break the rules. I'm saying you won't get in trouble because there is no rule against having lighters and such in your room.</p>
<p>Further, if you can't bring it to your room, you can most likely get it at the C-store.</p>