What are some "essentials" that you'd recommend every Sailor having with them prior to deployment?

Not trying to be a smart ass but, you deploy you should have a will.

LTJG (Join to see) - Oral and barrier contraceptives. Whether or not troops are supposed to fraternize - young people (and not a few older people) occasionally get too close to each other - particularly when stranded on a moving island hundreds to thousands of miles from home. A supply of clean comfortable easy to maintain underwear. Preferred tampons and monthly period medications. Cell phone that can be used as a camera, wifi device, and portable music player. Headphones and extra headphones. Sunscreen 60+SPF. Tooth brush, hair brushes, scrunchies, skin care, razors, shaving cream, antiperspirant, and makeup supplies. Social skills, self defense training, nonlethal self defense devices, situational awareness, thick skin, and a sense of humor. Reading material - perhaps on an iPAD. Weapons where appropriate to your billet - though CMDCM Treants has suggested to me in the past that with rare exception lethal weapons should be secured in master at arms locker. I personally prefer to bring along some small binoculars - and a Nikon D810 with 2X extender and 24-70mm and 70-200mm VR f/2.8 telephoto lenses - together with small pocket Munsell color chart and lens cleaning materials. Some items may not be allowed on nuclear unterseebooten. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)
CMDCM Gene Treants SCPO (Join to see) Capt Tom Brown LTJG (Join to see)

I have been on 4 deployments 3 on ship and one as a Dirt Sailor. My last ship was a CG (Small boy) So here is what I have learned, and please keep in mind some of this is allowed by some commands and others don't.

TP is a Must 2 rolls min, For some reason the Military never seems to order it or if they do they don't want to hand it out.
A Sleeping bag (this can be over ridden by the command) make sure it can be folded and stowed at the foot of your rack, and don't buy an expensive one. Your going to throw it away when you leave your ship if not sooner. Every thing takes on the Boat smell. If you have been there you know what I'm talking about.
Uniforms ... (sigh) im not saying don't take everything but I am saying be sensible about it. Take 2 weeks worth of T-shirts, underwear and socks, you should be issued 2 sets of FRV's (coveralls) Take your dress uniforms and have them hanger inspection ready. If you are going to be standing a lot of QD watch's take 2 sets, one for Watch and one for Inspections. In fact you should have one of each uniform that is Inspection ready and never worn.
Others have said it 2 pairs of boots one for working the other for inspections and or emergency use.
As for stuff in the head I found a Microfiber towel was great it dried fast and never smelled. They come in really large sizes too. Personal entertainment I leave up to you just think small and light. You don't have a lot of space and you may or may not have a plug to recharge stuff. Amazon is your friend BUT plan for it to take a month or two to get to you and don't buy anything that is overly expensive in case it gets dropped overboard during the Resupply at Sea. As for personal clothing don't pack like your going on vacation. Maybe 3 to 5 nice shirts a pair of jeans and a pair of slacks work, anything more is dumb your not hitting the town every night and the locales don't care if you wear the same stuff a month later when you might stop their again. Your not out there looking for a Wife (if you are you have issues)

If you are a Supervisor / LPO you will have more space in your shop here is how I used that.

I had 2 plastic boxes (the kids in the shop called them the Magic boxes) that fit nicely under my desk. Didn't leave much leg room but it was ok. In one I kept ... how should I put this... Odd tools. things the Navy doesn't keep on hand or you may need. As an IT I had barrel connectors special cross over cables odd pinned connectors I knew we used on the ship some specialty tools ect. When your out at sea you don't have time to order and wait for it to arrive so plan ahead and accordingly. Look over your gear for that weird old item that is going to give your problems and plan for it.

The OTHER box.
Before we pulled out I found out what each person in my shop liked, one was sour patch kids another was Swedish fish, Chocolate ect ect. I packed that box (discreetly when no one was looking lol) full of those items and a few for my self lol. About 2 months into deployment the Ship store will be out of all the normal stuff and you get the weird foreign knock offs if that. When I would see a person in my shop just having the worst day possible or they are having deployment blues I break out that one thing they like and toss it at them. Makes their day gives them a moment of not the Navy and the ship. This can be that thing that helps bring them back in focus that it really isn't that bad, and build some Morale. I learned this from watching an old Senior Chief on my first deployment.

I think others covered a lot of the basics I wont duplicate here, I would also say talk to those that have deployed on your ship before. Find out what tricks and tips they have, every Ship has its quirks.

Good advice throughout this thread.
Also a payday allotment to the shipboard ATM, for liberty or ship's store funds.

Makes no difference if you are a boot or a Master Chief you need a full Sea Bag. Then some civvies for liberty overseas - you do not want to look like an American in most places so no jeans but slacks and shirts with collars NOT t-shirts. you only need a few decent shirts and a few slacks; you are not trying to impress everyone just having a good time. Uniforms: have one Inspection ready uniform for the season and one for travel available as well as inspection ribbon/medals.

Most of your needs will be available on the ship or in stores in ports, look around in places other than bars; grocery stores, department stores and malls. (heck you might even meet locals of the opposite gender if that is your thing). Camera and camera accessories are not always easy to find overseas, but sometimes CAN be a bargain.

Reading: Kindle/I pad full of good books as well as a the ships Library. CAMERA! take a good one! this is your chance to record your deployment. Cell phones are not the way to go, but if that is what you want fine. Remember that a good camera is a real investment.

A WILL. This is a MUST and it makes no difference if you are married or single. You own something and do not leave it up to your home state to dispose if it. Make a decision and leave it to someone you love or HATE. What better way to get even with that old boy/girlfriend than to leave him/her something and really piss off their new friend. You get the last laugh then.

Bring a pair of thermal underwear (or two). At least the pants. I also brought 4 of the Hanes blue (same color as the T-Shirt) long sleeve T-shirts. Radio can be super cold sometimes, especially when you get into colder waters. That plus the fact you live in Hawaii means radio can get mighty chilly during those 12 hour watches in the middle of the night.

A Kindle. (RP disses Sailors in a number of ways, don't get me going on that. Though they're trying to be better.) Steel-toed boots to stuff the tip under your mattress when the rolling gets rough. Candy and cigs to trade for...well...anything.

Funny stuff here, if you deployed on a vessel that had severely limited space for up to 90 days below the surface of the ocean, you get real selective as to what storage you have in your bunk pan. And, today, would be considered luxurious compared to older smaller submarines.

No one said phone cards some cash and change

By extra socks, underwear, t-shirts (you should buy enough of the first three items that I mentioned to last AT LEAST 2 weeks, although 3 would probably be better), an extra pair of shower shoes, extra bar soap, extra shampoo, extra toothpaste, extra toothbrushes, baby wipes (in case the ship has to go on water hours or showers aren't available), an electric razor, manual razors and shaving cream (in case the electric razor breaks or goes missing), a non-stick iron because many berthing irons, by the time you get to them, have been used and abused (don't forget to take it to the EM's for an electrical safety check, along with the aforementioned electric razor), an alarm clock (if you don't bring your cell phone), entertainment for your down time, extra towels and wash cloths, a small bottle of laundry detergent, fabric softener sheets (even when they've been through the dryer, they can still retain some of their scent, which can be used as an air freshener in your rack or stand up locker), and take shoes (for PT and liberty) pants, shorts, t-shirts, and collared shirts for when you go on liberty (be sure to pay attention to the ship's policy on acceptable liberty attire during the port brief). One other thing. Bring gum or some other type of breath mint. Your coworkers will thank you for it. Also, bring foot powder or spray to keep down the smell of your feet.

I made a list. Let me know if I am missing anything or have anything that I shouldn't:

-Seabag with all uniforms including Peacoat. (No coveralls as FRVs are now issued).
-Mini Light (white / red LED).
-Running Shoes
-Shower Shoes
-Consumables (soap, shampoo, tooth paste, razors, shaving cream, etc)
-Towels (do these need to be any particular color or does it matter?)
-Extra black and white socks.
-Extra underwear.
-Cash
-Locks x2
-Kindle w/ e-books
-Medicine for headaches, Vitamin-C for immune systems, sanitizer.
-Extra low ply Toilet Paper
-Phone Charger
-Notebook and extra pens
-Jeans, Shirts, Khaki pants, collared shirt.
-Extra pair of boots
-Extra ribbons
-Shining Kit
-Sleeping bag and high thread count pillow case.
-Sleeping Mask (yes, no?)
-Laundry Bag
-Tweezers

I would think bed sheets, and or sleeping bag, I only spent a little time on a LHD, only would spend a night when ever we flew back and did commodore briefing's, I kept a bunk, and a Locker. We were on a contingency type deployment, so we didn't do any liberty ports, but one. Bring will books to write shit in and my advice a log book type or note book for a daily journal, would be good. Plenty of pins,lap top tablet, nice set of civilian clothes, not too American looking type suggestion. We deploy different than ships but I would imagine they will give you a packing list, Mandatory Sea-bag Items, and the recommended. I always had my basic 3-day Bug out so when I when we convoyed or did what ever made sure I had basics and the things that I could use for survival just in case. So my 3 day could be my life saver if we ever stayed out longer or ran into unforeseen. I would just think basics and what you need to keep you happy. I'm sure ship guy's will have more I didn't do much time maybe 15 days total sorry, and good luck and look out for your troops, they will do the same for you..

A good quality camera. Take time to enjoy the liberty ports. Spend time in places other than the local bars. You will see places, sites and experiences that your friends from high school will never have. Save money for trips to local sites and attractions. I missed several places I wish I had gone and have seen dozens my friends watch on the news. Many of these memories will last your entire life, make the most of it.

Keep inspection uniform, now for small boys especially first timers motion sickness tablets and start taking two/three days before........

SMH. The last sub I served on was a fast attack Nuc, USS STURGEON (SSN-637), as an RMCM. My storage space was my bunk pan and a shared locker to hang our khakis in. The ships you folks served on must be designed like Dr Who's Tardis.

Bring some good books to help you unwind

I didn't have a chance to bring anything other then my sea bag and some civilian clothes for my first Westpac. In 1972 I was a 19 year old E3 and after spending 5 months recovering from knee surgery and physical therapy my world was turned completely upside down: on 4 April I was found fit for duty; on 6 April I reported onboard the USS ENTERPRISE. On the 7th of April I volunteered to be part of a draft of sailors to augment the crew of the USS MIDWAY that had been ordered to sail to Vietnam 7 weeks early. On 8 April I reported aboard MIDWAY and on 10 April 1972 we sailed from Alameda, CA and 28 days later we were dropping bombs on Vietnam. We returned to Alameda on 3 March 1973; after spending 205 of those 10 months and 3 weeks away from the States deployed in the Tonkin Gulf.

Back then - I didn't need to bring anything special - hell I wouldn't have known what to bring anyway! Being stationed onboard an Aircraft Carrier everything that one could need or want for one's creature comforts was provided. The ship had numerous stores that sold everything from cigarettes, soap, deodorants, stereos, cameras, there were barbershops, a ship's laundry to wash your uniforms, two different galleys that served food an aggregate of 23 hours a day; a library, TV and radio station, weight room, etc. During Vietnam sending first class mail home was "Free" it just took several weeks to a month to write a letter and get a reply. Payday was always paid in cash and you could "leave money" on the books as a way to save money. It was tax free as long as we were in the combat zone; Everything was, at least for me, provided. We pulled into various Ports of Call for R and R (or as we called it I and I - meaning Intoxication and well fill in the blank). Tours of special points of interest were always available as well.

That was then. There was a war on and we worked hard; after 3 months of working as a Mess Cook - scrubbing pots and pans among other things - I worked in the Ship's Guided Missile Shop; best job I ever had in the Navy. We worked 12 hours on and 12 hours off; then every 2-3 days we would have underway replenishments for fuel, food, supplies, ordnance, etc. Several times we'd work 30-40 hours straight due to replenishments, flight operations, drills, and watch-standing.

We were also entertained at sea and in-port; one time Miss America (former Miss Ohio) and several of her court were flown out to the ship and performed for us and in December of 1972 we had the Bob Hope Christmas Show onboard the ship while we were in Singapore Harbor. In addition to Bob Hope there was Red Foxx, Lola Falana (hubba-hubba), Roman Gabriel (former NFL Quarterback), and Les Brown and his Band of Renown. Heck of a great show.

Fast forward to 1999 - 2001; when I was a CWO4 assigned as the Supply Officer onboard a 270' Medium Coast Guard Cutter that was home-ported in Key West, FL. Size wise the MIDWAY, at it's widest point was 211 feet; the Cutter MOHAWK was 270 feet long with a beam of only 38 feet! We had a very small ship's store that sold the barest personal essentials (soap, shampoo, razor blades, Gedunk, and ship's marked ball caps, Ship's Logoed Tee Shirts - that were allowed to be worn underway) so anything and everything else that we thought we needed was brought onboard from our homeport or bought during our Mid-Patrol Break. Crew members brought whatever candy and snack items they wanted as well as I-Pods, Music CDs, etc.

Instead of deploying for months, we were away from homeport from 3 weeks to 7-8 weeks depending on what our operation schedule was like.

To answer the what "essentials" to bring obviously depends on the nature of the deployment; the duration away from homeport and the size of the ship/cutter (and what is available to buy on the ship); but one thing I found very valuable to have was an international pre-paid phone card. Back in 1972 when we would pull into Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, there was a Telephone Exchange on the base for making long distance calls home; nowadays a prepaid phone card covers those calls home. The last year onboard the cutter we had the ability to send and receive e-mail that was sent over the ship-s HF Radio Net - high tech in 2000! The ETC was the Ship's Censor - reviewing outgoing e-mail for OPSEC violations. You would think that all one would need was a security briefing about OPSEC but one brand new LT - Lawyer, sent to the cutter for familiarization, was relieved of duties, returned to his office on the first available flight from our first port call, and upon return was escorted to the 3 Star's Office, given a Class A Arse Crewing, and his DD-214! He tried to send a detailed e-mail describing our operation with a deep undercover operation...

Other then the creature comforts needed for health and sanitation purposes I would recommend beach wear, good suntan lotion (good both on the Steel Beach and sandy beaches of a port call), fishing gear (for those Sunday Morning trolling sessions) and a good digital camera to take pictures of your deployment. Most important - bring a good sense of humor and a great attitude - especially for those cancelled port calls and unexpected extensions on your deployment! Take advantage of any tours of local attractions to broaden your horizons. Best of all try to enjoy your cruise!

Lots of books and toilet paper and make sure your buddies bring books (and their own toilet paper) you didn't bring.

Baby wipes and plenty of hygiene products along with 2-3 books

I'd definitely recommend a sleeping bag as the mattresses aren't very clean and to avoid having to wash your sheets as often. Little baggies of any kind for small things. When it comes to anything for your hygiene ALWAYS bring extras. Like 4 or 5 in case they walk away or run out quicker than usual. Reading material is a personal preference but I find it easier so I don't have to worry about my electronics being dead. A small flashlight in case you're in the dark trying to look for something or reading before bed. Some people like to bring memory foam for more comfort or robes. Headphones so people coming in and out of the birthing won't disturb you if your sleeping.

The biggest thing is too be mentally ready to realize at some point you've forgotten something, ran out, or wish you would've brought something else to make it easier.