What are some things women should bring to basic?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 14:34:13 -0400

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?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2019 3:00 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 15:00:43 -0400

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.

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Mar 20 at 2019 3:08 PM

SPC Angela Burnham — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 15:08:22 -0400

"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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2019 6:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 18:20:18 -0400

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.

Response by SPC Cathy Goessman made Mar 20 at 2019 10:19 PM

SPC Cathy Goessman — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 22:19:47 -0400

Bring underwear and bras. Basic classic white and no g-strings. The small shopettes have a very limited selection. Yes, add back in gluten/dairy. No reason not to and you don't want to invite stomach issues. Yes on period supplies as well. Same thing as far as limited selection. I suggest putting together a box of lotion, period supplies, favorite soaps, etc and having someone mail it after a week. I sent my parents a list including brands.