<p>I'm getting ready to head out for R-day soon and I just wanted to hear a few view points on what others favor bringing AND not bringing. The do's and dont's of packing. Any bare essentials and so on would be great help. Thank ya.</p>
<p>We've heard that sock liners will help prevent blisters. These have appeared on past lists.</p>
<p>My advice would be to back the bare essentials. Don't go overboard bringing basic items because you will get issued almost everything you will need for Beast. The important things are bronken in shoes (running, boots, and low quarters). Civilian eye glasses if you need them for use immediately after beast. And of course the most important item of all: your picture collage. If you decide to bring anything else just remember that you will be carrying it, along with everything else issued to you, for the rest of the day.</p>
<p>A Leatherman (or equivalent) multipurpose tool can be handy. A robust running watch with an alarm function is also good.</p>
<p>Bring a head lamp with a red light, you guys are going to be sleeping in your half-shelters (tents) a lot during Beast II and there's nothing more annoying than trying to juggle flashlights. Less time setting up means more sleep.</p>
<p>Last year I found a great collapsible duffel/sport bag for my d to report with on R-Day. It is the Protege Sport 20" Expandable Duffel that measures 20" x 9.5" x 11" when fully expanded, but collapses down (using a zipper) into a compact 3" x 9.5" x 11". She uses it for trips off post, and it's very easy to store when not in use. Has zippered pockets in each end and another on one side. Also has a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap as well as the carry handles. Found it at Walmart for $7.82. </p>
<p>I liked it so much I bought myself one, too.</p>
<p>So are we actually allowed to take stuff to Beast? I've heard to take sock liners, etc, etc, etc, but I was also under the impression that all your bags (along with everything you take) get locked away during Beast and you can't actually take anything TO Beast with you.</p>
<p>Which is it?</p>
<p>They allow you to keep the items on the packing list. The list will be in your packet of forms and information you receive after you accept your appointment. The list includes running shoes, boots, low quarters, one 8x10 frame with picture, a battery operated alarm clock, shaving gear, and a few other things I can't remember. There are some optional things they may allow you to keep such as a multi-tool, flashlight, and duct tape (things like that). Anything that is not allowed will be locked away for the summer. Pack light though because whatever you bring you will be carrying around the first day.</p>
<p>FYI here is a thread from last spring on the subject:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/military-academy-west-point/334365-west-point-packing-list.html?highlight=packing+list%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/military-academy-west-point/334365-west-point-packing-list.html?highlight=packing+list</a></p>
<p>My d took 6-8 pairs of cotton underwear folded tiny and put in a ziplock baggy. It's amazing how small things get when you smoosh the air out, then close. </p>
<p>She packed the 6(?) bras that were listed, but then during Beast asked me to send her more - I sent 5. So, I suggest the females pack at least 10 (mostly sports bras). She wore 2 a day, laundry delivery was a problem and she didn't want to hand wash every night.</p>
<p>I also mailed her women's non-patterned/non-ridged nylon black trouser socks when she had developed blisters. They act like a sockliner. I read last year that the new cadets can tape the duct tape over the sock to protect irritated areas (or something like that). Don't know how well that works. (Note: Walmart sells a small roll of duct tape.)</p>
<p>Pack a black permanent marker. The kind with dual tips works great; the fine point works great in those tiny areas. Also, use the marker to label all clothing/boots/shoes (where it can't be seen) before you pack. </p>
<p>Pack as many items as you can in ziplock bags by category. It'll be so much easier when you transfer items from luggage/duffel to the ruck you'll be issued.</p>
<p>i brought way too much for R-day last summer, bare essentials are a good idea. I'd highly recommend preaddressed envelopes (letters made all the differences and most of mine were illegally written by flashlight under the covers after taps, so any short cuts to save time..), moleskin (ya i know people say you're not supposed to bring anything to self medicate, but bring moleskin and bag balm), picture collage of family/friends (maybe have them write inspirational stuff on the back?), deodorant (the stuff they issue you is cheap), bras (for girls), and maybe a shaving kit for guys (guys were suppose to shave, even when you're out in the field.) Make sure your low quarters are good (i love Bates) for you'll be wearing them during the academic year as well as during the summer. I'd also highly recommend Gortex Belleville boots (my boots were envied because gortex is waterproof, and it's quite a pain to be in the field all day with soggy boots). Put your name on everything.
Also, if you think you have even the slightest chance of making a corps squad team (Div1), I'd contact the coach immediatly and let them know you're interested. Even if you're not sure, the team will have practices during beast and you will possibly be allowed to tag along. Corps Squadders get a ton of privileges during the summer (shhh) that others will not. We had upperclass team mates who brought us cheeseburgers, candy, let us use cellphones to call our parents whenever we wanted etc. (of course all of this stays in the locker room. )</p>
<p>also bring baby wipes, it's gross to eat meals with hands covered in dirt and gun powder. depending on your platoon, you probably won't be seeing much of the cadet store, so stocking up on supplies this summer might be difficult.</p>
<p>Wet wipes also work well for cleaning your weapon, especially the star cluster.</p>
<p>after going through beast last summer..</p>
<p>i reccomend:</p>
<p>Flash light, blister-stuff for feet [bandaids, "mole skin", anything..], a leatherman, pre-addressed envelopes [it was mentioned above, i highly reccomend this..], wet whipes, good pair of running shoes, broken in low quarters [i cannot stress this enough...you will wear them A LOT and if they aren't broken in, your feet will get destroyed...], a good attitude.</p>
<p>Remember beast is a game... our class only spend 2 nights in the field I think, so it's not too bad. half shelters are horrendous though...</p>
<p>PM me if you have any questions/ want some advice!</p>
<p>Be careful with packing the alarm clock--Depending on the company, you might find it taken away---make sure your watch has an alarm as well to be safe.
Also, parents be prepared to mail lots of band-aids, shout wipes, etc throughout Beast and mail them in regular envelopes with your letters.</p>
<p>ok, so all of you cadets who have passed through BEAST already are kind of sending different vibes...and I am a little confused, so please be patient and help me a little...USMA011 and ElyseD, both of you recommended seemingly important items, however many others are saying bring bare minimum, on top of that I read anything you bring not approved is confiscated until the Beast is over....so - are baby wipes, lamps, preaddressed envelopes, etc. approved? Will i be allowed to keep these items with me? </p>
<p>Thanks all for input and patience</p>
<p>Everybody is correct. Go with the bare minimum. You will be required to carry everything you bring with you the entire day in addition to all the items you are issued. My d packed lots of stuff, but ended up leaving most of it at the hotel before she reported. You CAN get packages during beast, but they cannot contain anything to eat. The best idea, in my opinion, is to pack a box prior to reporting that contains shampoo, blister band-aids, deodorant, extra underwear (lots of sports bras for you girls), duct tape, baby wipes, gallon size zip-lock bags, anything you don't want to carry, etc. Have your folks drop it in the mail before they leave. You will be required to open it in front of the Cadre, so if there is anything in there that is not allowed it will be taken away.</p>
<p>I probably shipped 4 boxes of "stuff" during Beast, mostly the aforementioned blister band-aids and bras. So this could be your happy medium; you can take just enough to last you for a couple of days and get the rest later.</p>
<p>A MUST are black Sharpie pens. Take enough to share. Don't remember who told us this, but she took 8 Sharpies and they were very popular items since you mark so many things and they do tend to get used up pretty quickly. They are light and don't take up much room.</p>
<p>The bottom line is you can show up with nothing to not much and be fine at the end of the day or you can take what you want and be fine at the end of the day.</p>
<p>quick question... I thought they said NO packages until after beast?</p>
<p>As a Mom I thought no packages were allowed either. In the first letter we received from our son he asked me to mail him shoe inserts and black boot socks. I figured he would not have asked if it wasn't allowed. Later I found out that he had to open the box in front of the cadre so they could see there was no food in it, but there was no problem with him keeping the socks and inserts. No boxes with food are allowed but you should be able to get other items that have been mentioned.</p>
<p>few ?'s, on prospective-net they are saying abslutley no packages during beast unless it is an emergency. and what is the duct tape for.</p>
<p>No boxes was our understanding at first as well. It wasn't too long, however, that requests were made for certain things (again I mention blister band-aids). PLEASE, PLEASE get some blister band-aids. They come in a silver and blue box with the word "ampule" on it. They are apparently a lifesaver, or at least were for my daughter and all her squad mates. And, as ridiculous as this may sound, duct tape is used for everything, including eliminating blisters. My d used it on her heels and used it to hold the blister band-aids and mole skin on. </p>
<p>I realize they say no packages, but last year they were allowed, even after being told the same thing. When I did send a box I made sure to send only what she asked for, no more, no less. </p>
<p>A good friend of hers is headed to WP this summer and as a graduation gift my daughter bought her...you guessed it...duct tape, blister band-aids, and 50 feet of 550 survival cord.</p>