Posted on Feb 21, 2017
LTJG Ansi Officer
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Going on your first ship can be scary. Going on your first deployment can be just as nerve racking. What are some items that you'd recommend Sailors bring with them not only to their first ship, but on their first deployment? (Please include small boys as well. RallyPoint doesn't have DDGs and CGs as tags).
Edited 8 y ago
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LTJG Ansi Officer
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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
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LTJG Ansi Officer
LTJG (Join to see)
>1 y
SCPO (Join to see) - I've never seen those before! Pretty awesome, Chief. I've been wearing my issued Bates 922s. Definitely not authorized, but no one has given me any grief about it being at shore command as an IT. I keep them mirror finished so if anything, I've received praise. Yesterday I spent several hours enjoying a few brews, listening to music and shining my steel toe issued boots that I hadn't worn for 3 years. They are pretty good to go. Not the best, but should get me by with a decent first impression.

I figure I won't bring the 922s onboard since they aren't steel toe; but they have definitely made my feet and knees very happy while on shore duty. They are very light and breathe so much better. I suppose on a ship there are more hazards to your feet, though I have a hard time imagining what could crush my feet on a DDG as an IT. I'm sure one of the old salts could find something!
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LTJG Ansi Officer
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SCPO Combat Systems Electronics Leading Petty Officer
SCPO (Join to see)
>1 y
LTJG (Join to see) Yeah, they're nice, like wearing sneakers. They also allow your feet to breath better like molders, which when you're wearing them 18+ hours a day make a big difference in your feet.

Remember you're not just an IT anymore. There's the fire party, line handlers, UNREP detail, going aloft for antenna maintenance, topside preservation, this list goes on. You'll be living and working 24/7 in an industrial environment. Plenty of ways to smash your toes.
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PO2 Steven Hardy
PO2 Steven Hardy
8 y
The Coast Guard switched to a carbon fiber, or something like that toe. They came out after I left. I hear the first couple of version weren't too comfortable, but the later ones are. I don't know if you'll get away with those.
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CPO Steelworker
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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..
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PO2 Steven Hardy
PO2 Steven Hardy
8 y
We weren't allowed to use sleeping bags. Supposedly, someone in a top rack was zipped up in one when the ship rolled, and he couldn't grab anything, or break his fall, so he smashed his face up pretty good. It sounds like one of those scare tactic stories, but it is feasible.
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CPO David Welsh
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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.
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CPO Bill Penrod
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Keep inspection uniform, now for small boys especially first timers motion sickness tablets and start taking two/three days before........
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LTJG Ansi Officer
LTJG (Join to see)
8 y
I never took any and I've been fine. We had 18+ foot seas on the way out to Alaska. Incredible. Thankfully we had a reenforced hull, otherwise we would have had to turn back. I found it fun at first, now slightly annoying. Great advice though, Chief! I know several people who could have benefit from that greatly!
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CPO Bill Penrod
CPO Bill Penrod
8 y
Everyone may not need motion sickness meds but when half you shop is manning the rails then you'll understand. Thanks for your service......
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
8 y
I definitely understand, 21 years AD and every time I went to sea, I got queasy.
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MCPO Roger Collins
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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.
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CPT Aaron Kletzing
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Bring some good books to help you unwind
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CWO4 Tim Hecht
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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!
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SSG Laurie Mullen
SSG Laurie Mullen
>1 y
On the smaller boats, how much storage space does each person get? The only boat I've been on was a merchant marine ship for three weeks. I was the only enlisted female out of about 10 soldiers on the detail so I was assigned to a cadet cabin. I didn't think you guys in the Navy had a lot of personal space.
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Capt Tom Brown
Capt Tom Brown
>1 y
Those were the days. Reminds me of my WestPac cruise on the Bon Homme Richard (CVA31) in 68. Sounds exactly the same only with the name changed. Even on a CVA quarters were tight. Those JO quarters were akin to a fraternity w/ 10 Ensigns living on top of each other. A good sleep mask and ear plugs would have come in handy except when trying to sleep during flight ops.
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Cpl Software Engineer
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Lots of books and toilet paper and make sure your buddies bring books (and their own toilet paper) you didn't bring.
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CDR Jon Corrigan
CDR Jon Corrigan
>1 y
PO1 John C. - most people aren't aware of the vacuum CHT systems. Just stand up before you flush one, and move well to the side before flushing a urinal (sometimes those firemain reducing valves fail). If on a 1200 psi steam plant, step out of the shower if the pipes start banging - or you'll be cooked like a lobster.
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Capt Tom Brown
Capt Tom Brown
>1 y
On a grainy note, I always thought C ration TP was the best invention ever made. Don't know what they have today but then it was a lifesaver. Speaking for land-based deployments, of course, onboard a ship it is something entirely different.
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Cpl Software Engineer
Cpl (Join to see)
>1 y
When I was on the gators' backs, the kindle hadn't been invented yet, SN Greg Wright!

PO1 John Crafton The toilet paper isn't for the ship, it was for the off ship. When we landed in Hurghada on the way back from the Gulf, I only wish I would have had some emergency toilet paper when we hit shore. The hole in the ground with a hose next to it wasn't a pleasant experience.
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SSgt Carpenter
SSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
Capt Tom Brown - They've got a little packet in the MREs a few squares of toilet paper, and another packet with one baby wipe.
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WO1 Targeting Officer
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Baby wipes and plenty of hygiene products along with 2-3 books
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LTJG Ansi Officer
LTJG (Join to see)
>1 y
Baby wipes are a big no-no on ships. In the field they may be God's gift to man, but on a ship, you'll find your ass being thrown overboard.
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WO1 Targeting Officer
WO1 (Join to see)
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Thankyou for this knowledge I did not know this LTJG (Join to see) -
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SN Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics and Structures)
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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.
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