Posted on Nov 26, 2017
What does a new person going in to the military have to pay for while in basic and A.I.T.?
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Posted in these groups: 
Basic Training
Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
Basic Training Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 13
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SPC William Richardson Great question - I had to pay for personal hygiene items, like soap, shampoo, shaving cream, razor blades, deodorant, etc. You should have cash on hand for any mini-PX items that you want when you do get a weekend off. Those are just some tiems that I had to pay for when attending Basic Training and AIT. There may others that some individuals here on RP can think of as well.
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSLSMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" ThomasLTC Stephen F.SGT David A. 'Cowboy' GrothSFC George SmithCPT Jack DurishSSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"PO1 William "Chip" NagelTSgt Joe C.SP5 Mark KuzinskiMaj Marty Hogan MSG (Join to see) SSgt (Join to see) LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) SN Greg Wright Capt Seid Waddell Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS SSG Warren Swan
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSLSMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" ThomasLTC Stephen F.SGT David A. 'Cowboy' GrothSFC George SmithCPT Jack DurishSSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"PO1 William "Chip" NagelTSgt Joe C.SP5 Mark KuzinskiMaj Marty Hogan MSG (Join to see) SSgt (Join to see) LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) SN Greg Wright Capt Seid Waddell Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS SSG Warren Swan
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SGT (Join to see) - They did when I was there and I had to buy shoe polish also for the low quarters and combat boots. Forgot about that stuff.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
SGT (Join to see) - Don't forget You don't want Brasso all over Your uniform, use these button board behind the buttons to prevent that. In USAF I didn't need that but in earlier years as a Cadet at a Military Academy where the program was Army We did. Button, collar brass, hat emblem ,and belt buckle.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
Of course don't forget that famous polish , Brasso, it worked a lot better than another product called a blitz cloth. Make sure though You use the button board with it as show in My prior post.
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The money you bring will be at a minimum for the replacement of the items you must bring and need to replace during the course of your stay. Plus haircuts weekly (1st one is on the Army)
https://www.goarmy.com/soldier-life/becoming-a-soldier/basic-combat-training/introduction.html
Straight from the US Army's Web site
CLOTHING
One-day supply of casual, comfortable clothing (no halter-tops or ragged shorts)
Three sets of underwear (white)
One pair of white, calf-length athletic socks (no color bands, designs or logos). Additional socks can be purchased at the post exchange (PX)
A pair of comfortable shoes
Eyeglasses (no stylish eyewear)
Luggage should be limited to one small suitcase or gym bag
LOCK
One lock (combination or padlock with two keys). Additional locks can be purchased at the PX.
TOILETRIES
Disposable/safety razor with blades
Shaving cream (optional for women)
Toothbrush with case
Hairbrush or 6" black comb
One washcloth and towel (Additional items can be purchased at the PX)
Anti-perspirant
Shower shoes
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Shampoo
Soap and soap case
MONEY
$10-$50 in cash
Traveler's Checks or Money Orders (Personal checks are not recommended because of limited check-cashing facilities.)
DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED
Social Security card
Valid driver's license or current state identification card
A direct deposit form from your checking account signed by a bank official, or the name, address, account number and routing number of your financial institution (if applicable)
Original or certified copies of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or separation order (if applicable)
Original or certified copies of birth certificates of children under 18; affidavit of support from parents; court documents and direct deposit forms if ordered to pay spousal and/or child support (if applicable)
Proof of citizenship (if you were not born in the United States)
If you are married to a service member in the military, you need to have the name, Social Security number and military address of your spouse
Copies of your lease agreement or rental contract for any dependents residing outside of government quarters (if applicable)
Original or certified ROTC documentation (if applicable)
Original college transcripts; GED or high school diploma
YOUR ORDERS
Be sure to have all copies of orders and documents issued by your unit recruiter and/or MEPS. These orders must be delivered by you and by hand. Travel and meal tickets will be provided.
https://www.goarmy.com/soldier-life/becoming-a-soldier/basic-combat-training/introduction.html
Straight from the US Army's Web site
CLOTHING
One-day supply of casual, comfortable clothing (no halter-tops or ragged shorts)
Three sets of underwear (white)
One pair of white, calf-length athletic socks (no color bands, designs or logos). Additional socks can be purchased at the post exchange (PX)
A pair of comfortable shoes
Eyeglasses (no stylish eyewear)
Luggage should be limited to one small suitcase or gym bag
LOCK
One lock (combination or padlock with two keys). Additional locks can be purchased at the PX.
TOILETRIES
Disposable/safety razor with blades
Shaving cream (optional for women)
Toothbrush with case
Hairbrush or 6" black comb
One washcloth and towel (Additional items can be purchased at the PX)
Anti-perspirant
Shower shoes
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Shampoo
Soap and soap case
MONEY
$10-$50 in cash
Traveler's Checks or Money Orders (Personal checks are not recommended because of limited check-cashing facilities.)
DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED
Social Security card
Valid driver's license or current state identification card
A direct deposit form from your checking account signed by a bank official, or the name, address, account number and routing number of your financial institution (if applicable)
Original or certified copies of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or separation order (if applicable)
Original or certified copies of birth certificates of children under 18; affidavit of support from parents; court documents and direct deposit forms if ordered to pay spousal and/or child support (if applicable)
Proof of citizenship (if you were not born in the United States)
If you are married to a service member in the military, you need to have the name, Social Security number and military address of your spouse
Copies of your lease agreement or rental contract for any dependents residing outside of government quarters (if applicable)
Original or certified ROTC documentation (if applicable)
Original college transcripts; GED or high school diploma
YOUR ORDERS
Be sure to have all copies of orders and documents issued by your unit recruiter and/or MEPS. These orders must be delivered by you and by hand. Travel and meal tickets will be provided.
Learn about what to bring and what not to bring to Basic Combat Training. You can also find a list of what not to bring and watch videos of Soldiers who already went through training.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Joined Oct. 1982, hit Ft. Benning, 7 Jan. 1983. Surprising how certain dates stick with you. I just remember they advanced us funds and 50 bucks sticks in my mind, could have been a bit more. The dedicated debit card is a smart idea, I wonder if they all are doing that now.
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SPC William Richardson
SSG William Wall - 1972 was just trying to find out what they needed in todays army 2017
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SSG William Wall
SPC William Richardson - Almost two generations... We never had to worry about our cell phone accounts, and where we'd be able to charge our tablets. Modern problems for modern soldiers, sailors, air-persons, Marines... Happy Monday, we survived another weekend.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
SSG William Wall - The first pay We got in 1966 was $35.00 as I recall then the lsit of things You had to buy, 1st Haircut was on them, they rest You payed for and they only gave one kind, what was left was skin, no hair. Good thing We wore hats with the August sun.
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Thanks for asking an interesting question which varies based on time as you are probably aware SPC William Richardson.
In general I concur with the items COL Mikel J. Burroughs suggested.
When I enlisted in November 1974 we had to shine our low quarters and black combat boots which meant we had to buy shoe shining materials from polish through brushes and buffing clothes, etc.
However, we didn't need hair products since our head were generally shorn :-)
In those days we bought pens, a tablet of writing paper, envelopes and stamps so that we could write to loved ones. Our gross salary at that point was $344 per month and costs were cheaper.
I expect pens, paper, envelopes and stamps are still useful to soldiers in BCT and AIT or OSUT.
Soap was more useful than shampoo since we had no hair to speak of and a bar of deodorant soap could be used for the whole body. I didn't really need deodorant to impress the Drill Sergeants but I expect if they get time off it could be useful
Disposable razor, shaving cream, tooth brush, dental floss and toothpaste.
Basic civilian clothes should be brought and you may need to purchase some more tee-shirts, underwear because your weight and body dimensions will tend to be different after BCT and AIT than when you went in. [e.g. I went in at very thin at 145 lbs. or so and came out at 180 lbs.] I needed new jeans and a shirt as well because the old ones were too loose.
If a soldier is heavy going in they should expect to lose weight and sizes after BCT and AIT.
First aid and foot powder to help keep feet dry and blister free should be provided by the military.
What do current soldiers need to spend money on? PFC (Join to see) SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" MSG (Join to see) CPT Gabe Snell LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. LTC (Join to see) SSG(P) (Join to see)
LTC Stephen C. SFC William Farrell SPC Margaret Higgins SSG William Wall MSgt Jason McClish LTC Bill Koski SPC Tom DeSmet SGT Charles H. Hawes LTC Wayne Brandon SGT (Join to see)
In general I concur with the items COL Mikel J. Burroughs suggested.
When I enlisted in November 1974 we had to shine our low quarters and black combat boots which meant we had to buy shoe shining materials from polish through brushes and buffing clothes, etc.
However, we didn't need hair products since our head were generally shorn :-)
In those days we bought pens, a tablet of writing paper, envelopes and stamps so that we could write to loved ones. Our gross salary at that point was $344 per month and costs were cheaper.
I expect pens, paper, envelopes and stamps are still useful to soldiers in BCT and AIT or OSUT.
Soap was more useful than shampoo since we had no hair to speak of and a bar of deodorant soap could be used for the whole body. I didn't really need deodorant to impress the Drill Sergeants but I expect if they get time off it could be useful
Disposable razor, shaving cream, tooth brush, dental floss and toothpaste.
Basic civilian clothes should be brought and you may need to purchase some more tee-shirts, underwear because your weight and body dimensions will tend to be different after BCT and AIT than when you went in. [e.g. I went in at very thin at 145 lbs. or so and came out at 180 lbs.] I needed new jeans and a shirt as well because the old ones were too loose.
If a soldier is heavy going in they should expect to lose weight and sizes after BCT and AIT.
First aid and foot powder to help keep feet dry and blister free should be provided by the military.
What do current soldiers need to spend money on? PFC (Join to see) SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" MSG (Join to see) CPT Gabe Snell LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. LTC (Join to see) SSG(P) (Join to see)
LTC Stephen C. SFC William Farrell SPC Margaret Higgins SSG William Wall MSgt Jason McClish LTC Bill Koski SPC Tom DeSmet SGT Charles H. Hawes LTC Wayne Brandon SGT (Join to see)
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SGT Patrick Wells
We thought our Ds's were cool. When marched up to the barber the whole co. got burred except our PLT. they ordered standard military haircuts for us. Day prior to grad. we were marched back ( just our plt.) and the order to the barbers were take it all off. We graduated the only PLT in E co. with bald heads.
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