What will I be able to take with me when I go to the Marines boot camp?

Thomas OReilly — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:13:32 -0500

I need to know what I will be able to take. The time for me to go is getting closer and closer by the minute. I would just like to know if I will be able to take my phone, pillow, you know. Basic stuff. Or, all of that will be provided.

Response by Thomas OReilly made Jan 28 at 2019 12:14 AM

Thomas OReilly — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:14:56 -0500

Im going to bed, and wont be able to respond to your questions until tomorrow. So, gd.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 28 at 2019 12:19 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:19:47 -0500

Thomas OReilly Your body must be covered! A table cloth or sheet will suffice.

The Corps will provide for your needs.

Response by Sgt Stephen Murphy made Jan 28 at 2019 12:21 AM

Sgt Stephen Murphy — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:21:23 -0500

Don't bring anything with you to boot camp except your important papers (such as driver's license, social security card, and banking information), and the clothes on your back. NO MONEY. The clothes you wear will end up in storage while you train. You recruiter should be able to tell you all of this. Talk to them, they are there to help and will hold you hand right up until they day you leave.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 12:26 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:26:20 -0500

Thomas OReilly The links below list the items that you can take to Marine Corps Boot Camp. I have stood in the Yellow Footprints that you will be standing on. I was in Platoon 1028, MCRD San Diego, June 20, 1968.

Boot Camp will be a culture shock. Arrive with a good attitude. Listen closely and be observant. Be squared away at all times, and never quit. Help your fellow recruits when you can. Let me know if you have questions that I can help you with. Enjoy new challenges and adventures.

http://www.militaryspot.com/marines/what-to-bring-to-bootcamp

https://marinesbootcamphq.com/preparation/what-can-i-bring-to-marine-boot-camp/

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/surviving-marine-corps-basic-training-3354327

What to bring to Bootcamp - MilitarySpot.com

Before arriving at Marine Corps Basic Training, there are several things you must remember to bring and leave behind before arriving.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Jan 28 at 2019 12:53 AM

LTC Stephan Porter — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:53:05 -0500

You should take your honor, character to choose the hard right over the easy wrong, and a never quit attitude!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 2:02 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 02:02:21 -0500

Good running shoes that you have worn already and broken in. You may be able to bring a couple pairs of white socks with no name brand on them for those running shoes. Make sure they are not bootie socks & make sure they are normal in length.
I'm sure you can have a cell phone, charger, laptop and MP3 player, headphones, etc. I am almost certain that the drill instructors will force you to put it away and you may not be able to get to it until you are almost graduated or if they give you a pass. Make sure to bring all your financial banking routing information so they could set you up for direct deposit. You may not be able to get to use your cell phone off the bat so bring Pen, paper, envelopes and stamps so you can write home. I went to Army basic training in 1994 and they always want you to write home to family. Not sure if you will have an internet cafe in bootcamp ..
So writing to your family the old-fashioned way may be the norm for a while.
Hopefully, we will get more input from other Marines who have gone through boot camp recently. I am sure you will get a packing list from your Marine Corps recruiter. Remember, it's all a mind game. Make sure you are already doing your push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and running at least three miles every other day before you go to boot camp. Be prepared to get harassed like this or worse.
I survived it and you will too. Semper Fi oorah!

https://youtu.be/4irFJ7q96ns~305380:CSM Charles Hayden] LTC Stephan Porter Sgt Private RallyPoint Member Thomas OReilly

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Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 2:04 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 02:04:10 -0500

Be prepared for the marine version of the shark attack. Is meant to scare the crap out of you and it may last for a few hours or for a few days.

https://youtu.be/4irFJ7q96ns

Army Drill Sergeants Launch Shark Attack On New Recruits

New Army National Guard recruits experience a "shark attack" by U.S. Army Drill Sergeants. The event takes place during a drill weekend prior to shipping to ...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 3:16 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 03:16:44 -0500

My earlier post was wrong on optional stuff. Here is a packing list from military.com
Marine Corps
Marine Corps recruiters are very straightforward, here is what they say you HAVE to HAVE:

Driver’s license or Picture ID
$20 (approximately)
The clothes on your back
The recruiter said everything else is taken care of prior to shipping to basic training.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 6:56 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 06:56:29 -0500

You will be issued everything you need. When I was on the Island in 2001 all my personal effect went straight into a bag and I didn't see them again until the day before graduation. Everything will be provided to you that you need. Have fun on the Island its a wonderful place to visit and have fun at.

Response by SPC Jerry Jones made Jan 28 at 2019 7:01 AM

SPC Jerry Jones — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 07:01:24 -0500

The recruiter should have given you a list of what to take, and what not to take. I would say to pay them a visit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 9:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 09:18:38 -0500

Your pride in knowing if you don't give up, you'll earn a title few have. U.S. Marine.

Bring a book with important addresses for letters. Put Stamos in a small ziplock (makes them waterproof).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 10:14 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 10:14:43 -0500

Don't take the pillow.

Response by Capt Chris McVeigh made Jan 28 at 2019 10:27 AM

Capt Chris McVeigh — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 10:27:50 -0500

It's been stated by other but in short, don't sweat it and bring only what you are told. I know it's a big change and you want to be prepared but not camp is set up so you don't need to bring much of anything. Anything that's not on the list either gets packed up in a box, thrown out, or mailed home during your first week. No you can't have a phone while in training and a pillow is provided.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 12:16 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 12:16:13 -0500

Stick to only what your Recruiter says. USMC will provide all you need.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 28 at 2019 3:10 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 15:10:07 -0500

Anything the Marines want you to have while in boot camp will be issued to you. Take as little stuff as possible. Your recruiter should have a list of “be no” items. As in there be no cookies from home.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jan 28 at 2019 3:30 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 15:30:30 -0500

I can only attest to what army basic training allows. In my experience, you'll be allowed to take toothbrush, razor and probably a watch (not smart watch). Your phone will be off limits until you graduate, you will be issued a pillow and sheets then be taught how to make your bed properly. You'll need a change of underwear because you might not get issued clothes until the second day.

Your recruiter will give you a list of what is allowed and what is prohibited. The prohibitive list is not exhaustive, so assume anything not mentioned as being allowed is prohibited. Ensure that you have your paperwork. You need to setup direct deposit and they will want to see your driver's license. Make sure that you don't lose anything especially your orders.

Other than that, be prepared to do what you're told and exactly what you're told.

Response by Sgt Thomas Proctor made Jan 28 at 2019 4:29 PM

Sgt Thomas Proctor — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:29:04 -0500

I have no idea about what you need to take this day and time but in July 1959 when I went to basic training I carried everything I needed in a shaving kit. At that time the more you carried the more you had to send back home. I remember one guy from Puerto Rica showed up with two large suitcases, fully packed, dressed in a suit and necktie. The DI that was there to meet us had a field day with him, especially after he found out his name was Pla Y Pla. What the DI said to him and the big laugh about his name would have gotten him thrown out of the military today. On the second day everyone had to empty the contents of their pockets and wallet on the bed for the DI to see. Any transistor radios, knives, lighters, pictures of wives or girlfriends in bathing suits, skimpy night clothes had to send them home or drop them into a bag the DI was holding. They did not want you to have any dangerous weapons(pocketknife) or things that would remind you of home. I am sure the military is more lenient today. In those days they did not care what you thought or whether you like it.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Jan 28 at 2019 5:07 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 17:07:42 -0500

Take a briefcase with a spare ass in it. I can guarantee you the one you have will be chewed off.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 28 at 2019 7:47 PM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 19:47:24 -0500

Good honest question, but one day you will think of it and laugh; probably sooner than later.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 8:48 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 20:48:07 -0500

personal identification,
cloths on your back,
disposable razor if you grow facial hair quickly. will be disposed of at the airport prior to getting on bus.
small religious book if desired.

hint 1 you arrive late at night, sleep as much as you can while traveling you will be up for a while

Response by CW3 Harvey K. made Jan 29 at 2019 12:33 AM

CW3 Harvey K. — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 00:33:01 -0500

Are you a native-born Irishman, Thomas O'Reilly?
I ask because every USMC boot platoon at Parris Island I've ever heard of includes; one such son of Ireland, known as "the Irishman, one Jewish recruit, known as "the Jew", and a Native American, known as "the chief".

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Feb 2 at 2019 9:19 PM

MSG Louis Alexander — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 21:19:15 -0500

Yourself and stamina!

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Feb 8 at 2019 5:41 PM

Cpl Bernard Bates — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 17:41:11 -0500

When I went to Parris Island in June,July & August of 1959, The Recruiter said to take the bare necessities because we would send every thing we brought from civilian life home. If the Marine corp wanted us to have it they would issue it to us. Their was a standard PX issue ( toilet articles , Writing material, stamps ETC,) issued to us. The money would be deducted from our pay of $78.00 a month. I know things are different today. I wanted you to know how it was in another time. Semper Fi.

Response by MSgt Chuck Williams made Mar 5 at 2019 9:16 AM

MSgt Chuck Williams — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 09:16:11 -0500

Bring nothing but the clothes on your back and ID (DL,SS card, bank info). Leave anything of value at home. Anything else is contraband. You will not be using your cellphone, pillow or blankie. There are no internet cafes, nothing. Once you leave "receiving", you will meet your DI's. Be ready to wake early, hit the rack late. Keep your eyes and ears open and be ready to respond in your loudest voice. If not, you will be introduced to the quarterdeck early. Follow instructions quickly. The DI's are not there to hurt you. They are there to train you to become a Marine.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2019 1:30 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 13:30:02 -0500

Your favorite pillow and blanket. Not sure about Teddy bear. Seriously - ask your Recruiter.