Am I allowed to bring a full-sized bible to basic training at Fort Benning?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 21:20:54 -0500

Am I allowed to bring a full sized bible to Basic or do I have to bring just a small one that only contains new testament?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 9:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 21:24:10 -0500

ask your recruiter, honestly. The reason I say this is, how big, is "full sized"?

Response by SPC Mike Lake made Feb 22 at 2018 9:25 PM

SPC Mike Lake — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 21:25:11 -0500

Not sure now but when I went thru I had my full sized one

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 9:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 21:27:30 -0500

You can bring your own bible.

You’ll have a “personal shelf/space” to keep those items in your locker.

That, and you can always get a bible from your units chaplain.

You will also get to attend religious services every week.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 9:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 21:29:49 -0500

They issued a small Bible with the Psalms and New Testament in my day. If your BCT is anything like mine, you won't have time to read it.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Feb 22 at 2018 10:23 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 22:23:03 -0500

PFC Private RallyPoint Member: This is just my opinion, Private First Class Coleman: but, I don't see why you would be able to bring a Bible containing both the Old and the New Testaments.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Feb 22 at 2018 10:32 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 22:32:17 -0500

They should let you bring a full Bible. Just don't bring a "Salvation Master 5000" Bible that has a dictionary, concordance, map supplement and sermon outlines and requires its own carry case. Keep it simple and you will be okay.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Feb 23 at 2018 1:19 AM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 01:19:24 -0500

You're not going to have time to read a bible, so don't make this too large an issue in your mind.

Response by SGT John Kelly made Feb 23 at 2018 1:41 AM

SGT John Kelly — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 01:41:48 -0500

I went through ft. Knox in 2007 and was allowed to have my Bible. Mine was a smaller Bible I could fit in my cargo pockets. I had it on me at all times. Good luck!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2018 11:40 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 11:40:22 -0500

They offer you a bible while at basic training. But they have to afford you religious freedom, so you should be good to take it!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2018 10:39 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 10:39:46 -0500

They are provided when you go to church services your first time. I wouldn't recommend bringing more than you need. It will be heavy.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 24 at 2018 3:01 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 15:01:38 -0500

Normally the chaplain will offer one during your in briefing

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2018 10:53 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 10:53:41 -0500

I just got out of basic from Fort Benning about 3 months ago. They didn’t have a problem with full sized bibles. Generally they wont mess with anyone’s religious items. If it can fit in your personal space in your wall locker (a full sized bible should be able to fit) you shouldn’t have an issue.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2018 2:25 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 02:25:12 -0500

Yes you are allowed. Good luck at FT benning have fun and listen to your DS ;)

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2018 3:49 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 15:49:17 -0500

I did

Response by PFC Eric Bast made Mar 9 at 2018 5:03 PM

PFC Eric Bast — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 17:03:38 -0500

You have a god given constitutional right of freedom of religion. Y wouldn't you be allowed.

Response by SPC Heath Fleenor made Mar 24 at 2018 7:51 PM

SPC Heath Fleenor — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 19:51:33 -0400

Man it sure has changed a LOT since I went through basic.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Mar 24 at 2018 7:53 PM

CH (LTC) Robert Leroe — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 19:53:47 -0400

If you have any problems with having a Bible, ask to see your Chaplain; it is the Chaplain's job to make sure everyone's religious faith is accommodated.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 7:55 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 19:55:46 -0400

Take what you need. I would not recommend taking a bible the size of the Webster dictionary at the library. Also, if the Bible you are considering is dear to you I would recommend just getting one from the Chaplain. Or get a small solid one you don't mind getting messed up or lost. You don't have to lose your faith while at basic but understand you will probably be there with a bunch of heathens.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2018 4:36 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 16:36:17 -0400

Yes you can.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2018 3:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 15:01:54 -0400

Leave it. Your locker will get tossed and it'll get destroyed. You're better off just getting a Bible from your preferred religious service.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 30 at 2018 4:52 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 16:52:51 -0400

Bring nothing personal, except toilet articles. You will be introduced to the Chaplain assigned to your unit- you can ask him for a free bible.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Sep 19 at 2018 8:17 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 20:17:53 -0400

The reply given by SFC Private RallyPoint Member is sound as he is currently serving. When I went through Basic in February 1960 we were required to display a full Bible in our footlockers. Perhaps you no longer have footlockers but rely on the standup lockers.

Either way, try your best to read, ponder, and study the Scriptures whenever time permits. Remember your covenants at baptism and live the Gospel as best you can.

Response by SPC William Weedman made Jun 16 at 2019 11:48 AM

SPC William Weedman — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 11:48:27 -0400

At the MEPS, a gentleman came through from The Gideons Group, asking if anyone was shipping that day. I was and he offered a small New Testament with Psalms small enough to fit in my BDU breast pocket and be obvious. Carried through active duty. In the NG a medic/chaplain replaced it with a new one after an unplanned swim in a mud hole. I still have that Bible although I don’t read it, my Bible reading now is at Church or on my tablet.