What does a new person going in to the military have to pay for while in basic and A.I.T.?

SPC William Richardson — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 00:06:52 -0500

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Nov 26 at 2017 7:28 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 07:28:32 -0500

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.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Nov 26 at 2017 7:51 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 07:51:38 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs covered the basics. Technically you pay for your uniforms but it comes out of your check so you really need nothing on hand. Your recruiter should give you a list of requires. It has been many years but I showed up with one change of clothes. Honestly about all I had.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 26 at 2017 8:16 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 08:16:59 -0500

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.

Introduction

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.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Nov 26 at 2017 8:48 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 08:48:17 -0500

You buy basic items for showering and general hyge

Response by SGT Beth Day made Nov 26 at 2017 10:50 AM

SGT Beth Day — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 10:50:15 -0500

Don't know if the military allows it, but I highly recommend Compede for the inevitable blisters. Mine were so bad back in the day I had bloody socks. The Swiss Army even issues it. Look for it on Amazon

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2017 12:58 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 12:58:43 -0500

It has been a LONG time since I went. We had to display everything we brought and almost all we were told to send home. We got paid the first day of basic and that more than covered the expenses including that very quick haircut.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 26 at 2017 5:31 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 17:31:39 -0500

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 Private RallyPoint Member SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" MSG Private RallyPoint Member CPT Gabe Snell LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. LTC Stephen Conway SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Nov 27 at 2017 9:08 AM

MSgt John McGowan — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 09:08:01 -0500

Sounds like a lot of over paid troops to me. My back pay was around $60 when I went in. LTC Ford, I was a E5 before I made over $300 per month. Guess you would say I was almost brown shoe. One small man was issued brown combat boots.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2017 9:23 AM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 09:23:20 -0500

From what I recall you dont pay anything when you go through basic. I was flown from MEPS to RTC (Great Lakes). As well as from my training in SC to USNA Annapolis. I do not know about AIT.

Response by PO2 William Smith made Dec 2 at 2017 1:21 AM

PO2 William Smith — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 01:21:51 -0500

Uniforms

Response by SPC Justin Currey made Dec 2 at 2017 9:01 PM

SPC Justin Currey — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 21:01:01 -0500

Cough Drops, hair cuts and hygiene supplies in Basic. Many things in A.I.T ., but you will have some money saved from Basic pay without spending. But I went through in 2001. USAR Ft. Leonardwood, MO

Response by PFC Roy Burnett made Dec 3 at 2017 1:01 AM

PFC Roy Burnett — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 01:01:50 -0500

Nothing

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 3 at 2017 2:08 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 02:08:11 -0500

I love how they would give You some pay then march You to this little store that only had items You were required to buy and pay for. Those items like soap dish, towels, stuff like that. We even had to pay for our haircuts and had no say in how it was cut, there was only way it could have been shorter is if it was shaved also. It came pretty close to a shave as it is. Seems the only free haircut We got was the very first one at a big olive drab building they called the Green monster. in that same building they issued all the uniforms, boots, etc You were required to have.