Questions about after basic training and before during AIT.

[killerfly128]

You should be given most necessities you need for training at in-processing for AIT. Between basic and AIT you'll have what is issued during basic such as ACUs and related uniform gear. Toiletries and other items will be on you of course and you can get those at the PX, but I'd wait until you arrive at your AIT base before buying anything other than the most basic stuff.

You will be herded through the process like a sheep and unlikely to need much for the first phase of your AIT as you have very little autonomy or control over your situation. Just keep your mouth shut at basic and do what you're told, enjoy the camaraderie, and don't attract -any- attention to yourself.

This

[killerfly128]

In BCT they'll issue you all you uniforms and gear. After BCT you'll have to either take a bus or fly to AIT depending on how far your BCT post is from your AIT post. Beyond your basic issue the Army issues you other equipment they think you'll need through a Central Issue Facility (CIF). When I got to my AIT (Ft. Gordon/Commo) we had to go down to the CIF and draw any gear that we would need in AIT. It wasn't very much but your AIT unit may be different. I could see them issuing mechanics coveralls.

Your recruiter should give you a list of material you'll need to show up to basic with. My advice is to pack light and buy the most basic and plain of what ever they tell you to bring. If it says white socks get white socks with no logos. You'll be amazed at how small a detail a drill sergeant will notice and latch on to.

As others have said you need to do everything you can to go un-noticed. Don't be first, don't be last, and don't volunteer for anything.

And this. (except for the volunteer part)

Take basic toiletries, two changes of clothes, and yourself. They will provide you with everything else you need and give you the opportunity to buy the stuff they don't issue.

Enjoy your time in the military, take every opportunity to volunteer for something new (as long as it isnt sergeant major's detail, extra duty, or KP), don't blow off going to school while you are in (they pay for it and it doesn't come out of the GI bill), keep your area and uniform sharper than others, respect Army tradition, always have your battle buddies back, and never forget the sacrifice of those that came before you.

[x007x]

Thank you all for the tips and your service too.

[JP171]

all these things everyone has said are good, I have 19 years in and still going strong and love it. They are going to have to move my tail out in an aluminum box cause I ain't quitting and the retirement age is 72 now hehehe I have 22 years left to drive my COC mad

[gregthehand]

In BCT they'll issue you all you uniforms and gear. After BCT you'll have to either take a bus or fly to AIT depending on how far your BCT post is from your AIT post. Beyond your basic issue the Army issues you other equipment they think you'll need through a Central Issue Facility (CIF). When I got to my AIT (Ft. Gordon/Commo) we had to go down to the CIF and draw any gear that we would need in AIT. It wasn't very much but your AIT unit may be different. I could see them issuing mechanics coveralls.

Your recruiter should give you a list of material you'll need to show up to basic with. My advice is to pack light and buy the most basic and plain of what ever they tell you to bring. If it says white socks get white socks with no logos. You'll be amazed at how small a detail a drill sergeant will notice and latch on to.

As others have said you need to do everything you can to go un-noticed. Don't be first, don't be last, and don't volunteer for anything.

And this. (except for the volunteer part)

Take basic toiletries, two changes of clothes, and yourself. They will provide you with everything else you need and give you the opportunity to buy the stuff they don't issue.

Enjoy your time in the military, take every opportunity to volunteer for something new (as long as it isnt sergeant major's detail, extra duty, or KP), don't blow off going to school while you are in (they pay for it and it doesn't come out of the GI bill), keep your area and uniform sharper than others, respect Army tradition, always have your battle buddies back, and never forget the sacrifice of those that came before you.

Sorry, I should say "... And don't volunteer for anything if you don't know what it is". Many of my days have been ruined by reacting to an NCO yelling "I need four volunteers!" and nothing else.

[killerfly128]

In BCT they'll issue you all you uniforms and gear. After BCT you'll have to either take a bus or fly to AIT depending on how far your BCT post is from your AIT post. Beyond your basic issue the Army issues you other equipment they think you'll need through a Central Issue Facility (CIF). When I got to my AIT (Ft. Gordon/Commo) we had to go down to the CIF and draw any gear that we would need in AIT. It wasn't very much but your AIT unit may be different. I could see them issuing mechanics coveralls.

Your recruiter should give you a list of material you'll need to show up to basic with. My advice is to pack light and buy the most basic and plain of what ever they tell you to bring. If it says white socks get white socks with no logos. You'll be amazed at how small a detail a drill sergeant will notice and latch on to.

As others have said you need to do everything you can to go un-noticed. Don't be first, don't be last, and don't volunteer for anything.

And this. (except for the volunteer part)

Take basic toiletries, two changes of clothes, and yourself. They will provide you with everything else you need and give you the opportunity to buy the stuff they don't issue.

Enjoy your time in the military, take every opportunity to volunteer for something new (as long as it isnt sergeant major's detail, extra duty, or KP), don't blow off going to school while you are in (they pay for it and it doesn't come out of the GI bill), keep your area and uniform sharper than others, respect Army tradition, always have your battle buddies back, and never forget the sacrifice of those that came before you.

Sorry, I should say "... And don't volunteer for anything if you don't know what it is". Many of my days have been ruined by reacting to an NCO yelling "I need four volunteers!" and nothing else.

Even then I say go for it. It might suck but you will stand out as a good soldier. No one likes a sham artist.

[howdy]

In BCT they'll issue you all you uniforms and gear. After BCT you'll have to either take a bus or fly to AIT depending on how far your BCT post is from your AIT post. Beyond your basic issue the Army issues you other equipment they think you'll need through a Central Issue Facility (CIF). When I got to my AIT (Ft. Gordon/Commo) we had to go down to the CIF and draw any gear that we would need in AIT. It wasn't very much but your AIT unit may be different. I could see them issuing mechanics coveralls.

Your recruiter should give you a list of material you'll need to show up to basic with. My advice is to pack light and buy the most basic and plain of what ever they tell you to bring. If it says white socks get white socks with no logos. You'll be amazed at how small a detail a drill sergeant will notice and latch on to.

As others have said you need to do everything you can to go un-noticed. Don't be first, don't be last, and don't volunteer for anything.

And this. (except for the volunteer part)

Take basic toiletries, two changes of clothes, and yourself. They will provide you with everything else you need and give you the opportunity to buy the stuff they don't issue.

Enjoy your time in the military, take every opportunity to volunteer for something new (as long as it isnt sergeant major's detail, extra duty, or KP), don't blow off going to school while you are in (they pay for it and it doesn't come out of the GI bill), keep your area and uniform sharper than others, respect Army tradition, always have your battle buddies back, and never forget the sacrifice of those that came before you.

Sorry, I should say "... And don't volunteer for anything if you don't know what it is". Many of my days have been ruined by reacting to an NCO yelling "I need four volunteers!" and nothing else.

Even then I say go for it. It might suck but you will stand out as a good soldier. No one likes a sham artist.

They came to our base and asked for bachelors to volunteer to be escorts for the Miss America contestants during the pageant. We were told we would need our dress blues and civilian clothes. This sounded too good to be true. We got to Atlantic City and things went south real fast. They worked us like dogs the entire week. We moved sets, carried wardrobe changes, and anything else they needed done. Now this was during the mid 1970's, so military personnel were treated with total disdain by everyone. The contestants would not even be nice to us. We were lower than a snakes belly to them. We did get to escort them on Thursday night for a little award ceremony but we were not even allowed to attend the Saturday night final when it was on TV.

[tyree]

Hello, I'm shipping out to basic soon, and I know you are given pretty much what you need. But what is given after basic if anything? I know it's a broad question, but I was trying to make a list of items that I would need to purchase myself.

FYI: When I went through basic training, most (if not all) of the issued items you get issued to you come out of your first paychecks. Your last paycheck during training should be a full paycheck. The only thing we got issued after basic training at AIT was single pen and a spiral notebook.

You'll probably want to pack a small box before you leave home with some carefully selected items (civilian clothes, music, books, knives, etc.) Your family/friends can ship to you after basic training or bring to your graduation. Of course, as some others have already stated you may need to anticipate some sizing changes.

Pretty much everything not issued to you in basic training or in that box you'll need to purchase after basic training. You'll have a much better idea what you're allowed to have (and what you'll feel like carrying around) at AIT.

Prayers to you. And thanks for carrying forward the torch of freedom and liberty.

[C-dub]

The only things I can remember being given were orders. Even the things you're given in Basic came out of your paycheck. I only remember getting to keep my watch, maybe. That was a long time ago. We were taken to the store on base and allowed to purchase toiletries and things there.

After Basic and on to A-school I don't remember being given anything except books and I may have even had to pay for those. Orders were still free.

[killerfly128]

The only things I can remember being given were orders. Even the things you're given in Basic came out of your paycheck. I only remember getting to keep my watch, maybe. That was a long time ago. We were taken to the store on base and allowed to purchase toiletries and things there.

After Basic and on to A-school I don't remember being given anything except books and I may have even had to pay for those. Orders were still free.

They will give him a pre paid card to buy the things he needs in Basic, the balance will be deducted from his first check. When I went through it was not optional.

[C-dub]

The only things I can remember being given were orders. Even the things you're given in Basic came out of your paycheck. I only remember getting to keep my watch, maybe. That was a long time ago. We were taken to the store on base and allowed to purchase toiletries and things there.

After Basic and on to A-school I don't remember being given anything except books and I may have even had to pay for those. Orders were still free.

They will give him a pre paid card to buy the things he needs in Basic, the balance will be deducted from his first check. When I went through it was not optional.

It may have been something similar for me. I don't remember if we paid with cash or if we gave the clerk a number or something for it to be deducted or what.

[C-dub]

Back to the OP's question. I went straight from Basic to A-school with no leave between. I had the civilian clothes that I arrived at Basic in and that was it other than uniforms. I purchased whatever else I wanted from the commissary or had other things from home mailed to me by my family.

[killerfly128]

The only things I can remember being given were orders. Even the things you're given in Basic came out of your paycheck. I only remember getting to keep my watch, maybe. That was a long time ago. We were taken to the store on base and allowed to purchase toiletries and things there.

After Basic and on to A-school I don't remember being given anything except books and I may have even had to pay for those. Orders were still free.

They will give him a pre paid card to buy the things he needs in Basic, the balance will be deducted from his first check. When I went through it was not optional.

It may have been something similar for me. I don't remember if we paid with cash or if we gave the clerk a number or something for it to be deducted or what.

Knowing the military they wouldn't have given cash, too much temptation for recruits to gamble or steal.

If you learn anything from this thread, there is one saying you shouldn't forget. "There is only one thief in the Army, everyone else is just trying to get their stuff back." Make sure you secure everything, theft is a large issue.