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Headed to good ol' NTC this is my first NTC rotation, and my first time going away for AT. Any advice on what to bring extra besides my gear? And how to survive?! Thanks
Posted >1 y ago
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- Depends upon time of year you are going to NTC but I recommend the following:
- Sunscreen regardless of season. SPF 30-50 depending upon skin tone. 18 day of supply minimum.
- Chapstick regardless of season. 3 sticks minimum. You will use one, lose one, and need one back up.
- Cold weather gear (even in summer). 30+ degree differential between day and night.
- Hot/cold weather gloves. Metal vehicles will burn in the summer. Cold in the winter with a 15+ degree differential between contonement and the field regardless of season.
- Sunglassess/eyepro (dark and clear). Dark for day, clear for night.
- Handkerchief for a variety of uses. Protect neck, protect from dust, etc.
- Water flavoring. Must drink water consistently regardless of season and water gets old quick regardless of season. Easier to drink more if it tastes better.
- Baby wipes. Great for personal hygiene. Won't be close to a shower. 18 day of supply.
- There are other items but above is off top of my head.
- Sunscreen regardless of season. SPF 30-50 depending upon skin tone. 18 day of supply minimum.
- Chapstick regardless of season. 3 sticks minimum. You will use one, lose one, and need one back up.
- Cold weather gear (even in summer). 30+ degree differential between day and night.
- Hot/cold weather gloves. Metal vehicles will burn in the summer. Cold in the winter with a 15+ degree differential between contonement and the field regardless of season.
- Sunglassess/eyepro (dark and clear). Dark for day, clear for night.
- Handkerchief for a variety of uses. Protect neck, protect from dust, etc.
- Water flavoring. Must drink water consistently regardless of season and water gets old quick regardless of season. Easier to drink more if it tastes better.
- Baby wipes. Great for personal hygiene. Won't be close to a shower. 18 day of supply.
- There are other items but above is off top of my head.
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SGT Edward Thomas
Sir you hit the nail on the head. Many of these items would have been nice to have taken in 1985.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Pack tight. You have to carry your gear. Don't bank on have electricity all the time. Make sure you have enough prescribed medication.
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SFC Willis Bullard
The Colonel hit it on the head. Let me add a few gems having trained there and having been stationed there for 3 incredible years (yes I love it there). MUST have the eye protection. And as far as the water flavoring, stay away from the energy powders or iced tea as they have caffeine and, as you know, diuretics in the desert don't match up. Also take a few extra zip lock bags so that you can protect iPods, phones, etc from the sand. Finally, if you message me an address, I will send you one of my latest books as you will have some down time and I would be more than happy to send you a copy. Thanks for serving.
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- Extra underwear/t-shirts
- Camera
- Good noise blocking headphones for night
- Books/eReader
- Facewipes
Enjoy!
- Camera
- Good noise blocking headphones for night
- Books/eReader
- Facewipes
Enjoy!
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Spent three years there and loved the training. I agree with CW4 Gary S.. Go light IF the unit will allow it. I don't know if you will be there for the whole 14, but if so:
MAKE SURE you have something to cover you face while you are driving/jumping. A thin neck gaitor was my number one pick for this. Also, FILL YOU CAMEL BACK, and use it. Bottled water should be stored for just in case you get stuck up north or west.
Pogey Bait will only fill space for nothing- you will probably hit up the RUEBA before you roll; leave it at home.
Clothing as follows:
ACU tops, bottoms, and brown shirts 5-7 EA.
14 undies if you pack good, but if not, 7 EA.
Green Socks 10 EA
PT (Short) and shower shoes 1EA
Entertainment:
Kindle or MP3 player
(if you value your mobile devices, get a solar charger. DO NOT HOOK UP INVERTERS TO MIL. VEHICLES; THEM BOYS CAN GET YOU IF YOU SCREW UP THIER VEHICLES)
If you have any more questions feel free to connect.
P.S, BABY WIPES BABY WIPES BABY WIPES!
MAKE SURE you have something to cover you face while you are driving/jumping. A thin neck gaitor was my number one pick for this. Also, FILL YOU CAMEL BACK, and use it. Bottled water should be stored for just in case you get stuck up north or west.
Pogey Bait will only fill space for nothing- you will probably hit up the RUEBA before you roll; leave it at home.
Clothing as follows:
ACU tops, bottoms, and brown shirts 5-7 EA.
14 undies if you pack good, but if not, 7 EA.
Green Socks 10 EA
PT (Short) and shower shoes 1EA
Entertainment:
Kindle or MP3 player
(if you value your mobile devices, get a solar charger. DO NOT HOOK UP INVERTERS TO MIL. VEHICLES; THEM BOYS CAN GET YOU IF YOU SCREW UP THIER VEHICLES)
If you have any more questions feel free to connect.
P.S, BABY WIPES BABY WIPES BABY WIPES!
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CW2 (Join to see)
Pogey Bait is a term used for food and RUEBA is a place were the training unit can buy food on Fort Irwin IE NTC
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SSG (Join to see)
usually, we would go to the RUEBA instead of our PX or Shopette, because it was always stocked with the good stuff, so the comment about not getting stuff is wrong.
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SSG (Join to see)
One more, and it might seem petty, but it pays; Get a battery operated fan for the day, and a few toe/finger warmer packs for the night if you are sensitive to cold. Ziplock EVERYTHING you can.
Admin side: If you want be be high speed, get an admin pouch for you FLC. I always had one to keep my pen and paper in for notes because I didn't like crawling around in the 88 with stuff in my pockets. It also came in handy during my trips to both SFAS and CAAS.
Admin side: If you want be be high speed, get an admin pouch for you FLC. I always had one to keep my pen and paper in for notes because I didn't like crawling around in the 88 with stuff in my pockets. It also came in handy during my trips to both SFAS and CAAS.
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Other than the pack list that COL Smallfield stated, here is the wildlife situation. Stay away from all snakes. There are rattlesnakes present. Also the Green Mojave. If if see a green snake, be careful. It will chase you. Large coyote population. If memory serves, this is the timeframe in which the tarantula mating season starts. No matter when you take off your boots, always check them before putting them back on, especially in the morning (scorpions and other spiders like to nest there some times). If you happen to see what looks like a turtle/tortoise....STOP YOUR VEHICLE and get on the radio right away. That is the Desert Tortoise, and highly endangered. Dont touch it. Call Range Control so they can come move it. If it is hurt or killed, MASSIVE MASSIVE fine. But to be honest, in my 3 yrs stationed there, I had never seen one.
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LTC Jason Mackay
To supplement, Up in the NW part of the box there are wild burros. If you don't expect them in the dark they will scare the crap out of you. No touchy.
Don't throw rocks at the birds (aka dumpster chickens). Some are crows, others are endangered ravens.
Don't throw rocks at the birds (aka dumpster chickens). Some are crows, others are endangered ravens.
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Summer's coming?
- Sunscreen! My profile pic is from NTC June 2012, Day 1. I was not happy.
- Chapstick
- Reading material. The RUBA is going to be boring.
- Spare change for the washers and dryers
- Tide pods. Don't buy the shit at the little shoppette. Infact, don't buy anything at that shoppette. But don't worry, you won't be able to get energy drinks there anyways.
- Figure out where the dfac is, and be ready to walk there.
- Crystal lite packets
- Wet wipes
- Something to throw-up into when you see the casualties coming in (incase you have a weak stomach). I say that because we had a guy upchuck and pass out because he thought the IED attack was real and they started unloading the guys without legs. Stupid POG!!
- Something WARM!!!!! When the sun is up, it's hot. When the sun goes down, the barracks get freezing because there is no temp adjustment knob on the AC. It never goes away!!!
- Toilet paper. The TP there sucks!!
- Anything to alleviate sinus infections. You will get one.
- AN ABSOLUTE MUST ----> Trust no one. We had some dipshits lose expensive equipment early on at the RUBA and didn't say anything until we were coming out of the Box.
- Sunscreen! My profile pic is from NTC June 2012, Day 1. I was not happy.
- Chapstick
- Reading material. The RUBA is going to be boring.
- Spare change for the washers and dryers
- Tide pods. Don't buy the shit at the little shoppette. Infact, don't buy anything at that shoppette. But don't worry, you won't be able to get energy drinks there anyways.
- Figure out where the dfac is, and be ready to walk there.
- Crystal lite packets
- Wet wipes
- Something to throw-up into when you see the casualties coming in (incase you have a weak stomach). I say that because we had a guy upchuck and pass out because he thought the IED attack was real and they started unloading the guys without legs. Stupid POG!!
- Something WARM!!!!! When the sun is up, it's hot. When the sun goes down, the barracks get freezing because there is no temp adjustment knob on the AC. It never goes away!!!
- Toilet paper. The TP there sucks!!
- Anything to alleviate sinus infections. You will get one.
- AN ABSOLUTE MUST ----> Trust no one. We had some dipshits lose expensive equipment early on at the RUBA and didn't say anything until we were coming out of the Box.
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Suspended Profile
Im stationed here at NTC. Depending where your unit is at for the rotation you will not have access to showers. Bring LOTS of babywipes/hygiene wipes and a change of undergarments and socks for each day are key. Bug repellent (avon skin so soft is best). Also, its monsoon season here, bring wet weather gear. Don't over pack on uniforms, make one last 3-4 days so you can focus on it units packing list. Lastly, follow the COL list too, he nailed it. Hope this helps!!
SFC Willis Bullard
Great advice! I loved my time there with 11th ACR. I was the Regt S-2 NCOIC. Also worked with the FMIB detachment but rumor has it they are gone. Is the OPFOR academy still up and running? Message me please, I would love to catch up on NTC. Also have a good friend flying Blackhawks out there. He just arrived a month ago.
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Just so you know the Food Trucks are awesome out there. We ate from them as much as we could. I would say just to make sure to have cash on you. It depends where you are at but you may not be able to get to a cash point out there. And always have multiple head lamps.
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We are authorized to bring a carry on and 1 checked bag. Untop of what we already put in the Connex with out gear and sleeping stuff. But I agree, lift packing, but I don't want to NOT have things! Especially since I am on rear det. As well
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LTC Paul Labrador
You don't need much, and since things have only gotten smaller, thinner and lighter in since the last time I went to NTC (2002), packing is much easier. Carry-on should be your toiletries and medications, a spare t-shirt, socks and undies, and any portable electronics for entertainment. that's really about it.
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Good advice already here, but I'd throw in a couple things.
Make sure you pack female hygiene items - way more than you normally need. Showers won't be a thing, and you will be active.
550 cord for a clothesline to hang/dry clothing items.
A power strip.
A good book (no electronic devices allowed)
Make sure you pack female hygiene items - way more than you normally need. Showers won't be a thing, and you will be active.
550 cord for a clothesline to hang/dry clothing items.
A power strip.
A good book (no electronic devices allowed)
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Rotations Lately have submitted an ETP to shut down the nice things in the RUBA during Rotations. Thanks 1-2 SBCT. So, that means that if you want to bring it, you must bring it from HOME STATION.
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