Posted on Mar 20, 2019
What are some things women should bring to basic?
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This is directed more towards women I guess, but if you know the answer then you know it.
Can I bring my own brand tampons/pads to basic from home? Or will they be taken away? I only ask cuz I have a lot of boxes already and I don't feel like spending more than necessary at basic.
Also can I bring lotion?
And also, sorry, I'm gluten free/dairy free right now by choice, should I slowly bring these things back in since I most likely can't do this at basic?
edit: Also I can't seem to find it anywhere, but what is the typical distance I will be running? I've heard generally about 2-3 3 days a week with a longer company run occasionally of 4-6 miles. Is that what I should be training for? or more?
Can I bring my own brand tampons/pads to basic from home? Or will they be taken away? I only ask cuz I have a lot of boxes already and I don't feel like spending more than necessary at basic.
Also can I bring lotion?
And also, sorry, I'm gluten free/dairy free right now by choice, should I slowly bring these things back in since I most likely can't do this at basic?
edit: Also I can't seem to find it anywhere, but what is the typical distance I will be running? I've heard generally about 2-3 3 days a week with a longer company run occasionally of 4-6 miles. Is that what I should be training for? or more?
Posted in these groups: 
Basic Training
Women in the Military
Basic Training Women in the Military
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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Train to run 5 or 6 miles. That will make running 3 or 4 easy. You’ll run run several times a week. You can be told to run at any time. Bring your own lady products. Don’t bring too many. It’s better to spend an extra $25 for new ones than to be that soldier that shows up with a separate backpack just for pads/plugs. That might be a good way to quickly earn an unflattering nickname. (Just mynpersonal recommendation).
Bring a pair of running shoes that you 100%, no doubt, for sure, know fit your feet and are in excellent/newer condition. (Make sure they’re not flashy and blend in with the crowd). You’ll still have to buy new ones, but honestly, no matter what they say, no matter what the fancy foot measuring machine says about your foot...they simply don’t have the right shoe for every foot. You might loves the ones they have you buy. But you might not. It’s good to have a back-up that you know you love.
For your diet...eggs, bacon, grits, apples, oranges. Beef and noodles. Those are some of the staples. The vegetarian MRE tastes like a used adult diaper. You stated you’ve been on the gluten/dairy free thing...but you’ll be so hungry that a slice of cheese, some eggs, and a plate full of glutens won’t bother you. And you won’t have enough time to care, anyway. Send it all down the gullet, call it ‘gluten free’ in your mind, and count the hours until your next meal. The whole eating process generally takes only a handful of minutes.
Don’t overthink basic training too much. Like just about every test in the Army, it’s designed for the lowest common denominator to pass. The Army wants you to pass. Of course, there will be people that don’t make it, but as long as you think/believe/act like you’re not the below the lowest common denominator in the group, you’ll be just fine. As you’ll see, there are some serious goobers that make it through basic training.
Best of luck.
Bring a pair of running shoes that you 100%, no doubt, for sure, know fit your feet and are in excellent/newer condition. (Make sure they’re not flashy and blend in with the crowd). You’ll still have to buy new ones, but honestly, no matter what they say, no matter what the fancy foot measuring machine says about your foot...they simply don’t have the right shoe for every foot. You might loves the ones they have you buy. But you might not. It’s good to have a back-up that you know you love.
For your diet...eggs, bacon, grits, apples, oranges. Beef and noodles. Those are some of the staples. The vegetarian MRE tastes like a used adult diaper. You stated you’ve been on the gluten/dairy free thing...but you’ll be so hungry that a slice of cheese, some eggs, and a plate full of glutens won’t bother you. And you won’t have enough time to care, anyway. Send it all down the gullet, call it ‘gluten free’ in your mind, and count the hours until your next meal. The whole eating process generally takes only a handful of minutes.
Don’t overthink basic training too much. Like just about every test in the Army, it’s designed for the lowest common denominator to pass. The Army wants you to pass. Of course, there will be people that don’t make it, but as long as you think/believe/act like you’re not the below the lowest common denominator in the group, you’ll be just fine. As you’ll see, there are some serious goobers that make it through basic training.
Best of luck.
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"I'm gluten free/dairy free right now by choice, should I slowly bring these things back in since I most likely can't do this at basic?"
They do have Vegan MREs, but I don't know if they're gluten free, and I can't guarantee that food in the DFAC is going to be either. I would start reintroducing your body to those things if I were you just to be on the safe side. TBH I don't really recall any instances where you "had" to eat dairy products, but I could easily be mis-remembering.
In general, you'll be running with your platoon at least every other day for 2+ miles. More if you're going infantry or 18x, as OSUT is a tad more intense then standard basic. If you're already fit enough to run a mile without stopping, then you'll be good enough for basic training to get you the rest of the way. The harder part is the 10KM ruck marches. Try walking 10KM, but with 70 pounds of gear strapped to your back as practice to see how ready you are.
Lastly, alot of this changes base to base. I went to basic 11 years ago at Fort Benning, so your experience may be different.
They do have Vegan MREs, but I don't know if they're gluten free, and I can't guarantee that food in the DFAC is going to be either. I would start reintroducing your body to those things if I were you just to be on the safe side. TBH I don't really recall any instances where you "had" to eat dairy products, but I could easily be mis-remembering.
In general, you'll be running with your platoon at least every other day for 2+ miles. More if you're going infantry or 18x, as OSUT is a tad more intense then standard basic. If you're already fit enough to run a mile without stopping, then you'll be good enough for basic training to get you the rest of the way. The harder part is the 10KM ruck marches. Try walking 10KM, but with 70 pounds of gear strapped to your back as practice to see how ready you are.
Lastly, alot of this changes base to base. I went to basic 11 years ago at Fort Benning, so your experience may be different.
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PVT (Join to see)
Do you know how often the long slower company runs are? Those are like 5 miles ish I think
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1SG (Join to see)
Don't walk anywhere with 70lbs on your back.
You won't carry anywhere near that in basic training, and unless you're infantry, you won't be carrying that much during any IET training. All you'll accomplish is injuring yourself before you ship.
You may build up to 5 mile runs during basic, and they will not be fast paced.
Most runs will likely be in groups by ability (how fast you run).
If you can run 5 miles you are more than prepared. If you can run 2 miles you are prepared more than most.
Some DS current or more recent can provide more current information.
With regard to feminine hygiene products, there will not be unlimited storage, but unless you're talking about bringing large suitcase full of products, you should be good.
With regard to gluten free, maybe one if the cooks can respond.
You won't carry anywhere near that in basic training, and unless you're infantry, you won't be carrying that much during any IET training. All you'll accomplish is injuring yourself before you ship.
You may build up to 5 mile runs during basic, and they will not be fast paced.
Most runs will likely be in groups by ability (how fast you run).
If you can run 5 miles you are more than prepared. If you can run 2 miles you are prepared more than most.
Some DS current or more recent can provide more current information.
With regard to feminine hygiene products, there will not be unlimited storage, but unless you're talking about bringing large suitcase full of products, you should be good.
With regard to gluten free, maybe one if the cooks can respond.
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1SG (Join to see)
PVT (Join to see) you'll normally run 3 days a week, and maybe one long run a week later in the cycle.
There was, and may still be, one week--around week 3--where there is no running. Reason was (is?) some research determined laying off that week reduced shin splints and other injuries.
If slow paces bother you, volunteer to be a road guard (you run ahead, and stop traffic at intersections, or at least used to).
Again, other DSs on here will have more current information.
Don't over think this. If you want some exercises and example circuit training to help prep, Google TC 3-22.20.
There was, and may still be, one week--around week 3--where there is no running. Reason was (is?) some research determined laying off that week reduced shin splints and other injuries.
If slow paces bother you, volunteer to be a road guard (you run ahead, and stop traffic at intersections, or at least used to).
Again, other DSs on here will have more current information.
Don't over think this. If you want some exercises and example circuit training to help prep, Google TC 3-22.20.
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Yes, you can bring your own tampons/pads with you to Basic. But, ensure that your pads are unscented. This can cause serious issues later on if they are. It is highly encouraged you bring some in case you arrive during your cycle and don't have immediate access to buying some. As for lotion, I would recommend either bringing the smallest bottle possible (in case they do make you discard it) or not bring any at all. It's a 50/50 with the lotion. As for your diet, you may not have the ability to maintain this diet while in basic training. I would recommend you get these things back into your diet. As for the running portion of it, I would recommend you train for running 5 days a week....just in case.
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