Things to bring or leave at home

Jamzmom · 05-10-2005, 09:27 PM

Yep, we're shopping for the handful of things allowed. Wondering though if you mids can advise on the calculator. TI-83 or TI-86? Have an 86 but its seen its better days (i.e. coke spilled on it, re-programmed to do some things I never dreamed a calculator could do, well you get my drift...) Which do you guys prefer or is the 86 the required one? As to the alarm clock listed as a thing to bring on the parent's assoc. site, should he leave it at home & have us ship it to him after indoc? Any advice on what to NOT pack would be appreciated! Thanks for any help!

cdb · 05-11-2005, 07:05 AM

you can bring an alarm clock and any other things like that, they will just take them away and lock them up for indoc. A graphing calculator is good, it really does not matter what kind you have. Just make sure you dont bring anything you should not- weapons, drugs( unless perscription), or things that will get you in trouble like dvds or video games. All that stuff can be sent later. I would say pack one bag with everything they tell you, and then the clothes on your back( nice shirt, dress slacks) and then just wear you running shoes there. You will not need to bring much.

Jamzmom · 05-14-2005, 01:07 PM

How about a watch? Are they even allowed to wear them? He's got everything on the list unless something new comes out. Everything is zip lock bagged per the parent's assoc. advice. Is that a good thing or a bad? He has perfected the "stealth mode" over the last four years and I sure don't want to cause him any grief by zip-lock bags full of his stuff that sends some DI over the edge. Uh... I need to just chill don't I..... Tell me I can have his new MP3 player right?

cdb · 05-14-2005, 05:26 PM

first, yes you do need to chill out. Second he can have the watch, they will just take it away from him for indoc. Its no big deal. The zip lock bag stuff is no big deal either. Most of the stuff on the parents websites is overload anyways, most of those people are well intentioned but have nothing better to do. I showed up with my stuff thrown in a bag and was fine. I am going to PM you my moms number, she will be a bigger help than I.

is2day4him · 06-02-2009, 02:44 PM

the only thing on the list of must haves that is a good idea is an alarm clock
the rest is totally not needed. a few pencils and pens aren't a bad idea, but can be purchased at the NEX. same can be said for duct tape and a flashlight. the rest of that stuff you really shouldn't bring. trust me, you do not need them, in fact you aren't allowed any of that stuff anyways as a plebe.
don't over think this. if they do not explicitly tell you to bring it. don't bring it. first lesson of the government's way of working, do exactly as they say and it's a lot less frustrating.

Jamzmom · 06-02-2009, 04:02 PM

Might want to check out the first post and it's date. This thread seems somewhat dated. LOL Know that I am as stressed out today (license tests & graduation) as I was back in 05 new Candidate land. Too funny.

Not sure jillianne's post relates much here. Great ideas for civvy college though.

kp2001 · 06-02-2009, 08:51 PM

Wow, look at that: an "original" jamzmom

I think that would be worth lots of money at auction, ha. Amazing how fast the time has flown isn't it.

Jamzmom · 06-03-2009, 06:27 AM

And to think.... I was freaking worried about some stupid alarm clock!? LOL Wow. I actually didn't get his IPOD thingee back then either but have my own now.

All I can say is that new parents should try to relax during this packing thing & even the INDOC part. The rest is what you need to be freaked about. The roller coaster effect is pretty ucky.

MG2013Mom · 06-03-2009, 06:25 PM

Nice to see the growth Jamsmom. Now I am not worrying about the alarm clock (does he really need one) but bigger stuff like keeping him safe till drop off. He refuses to wear bubble wrap to the prom. I think he is being unreasonable (LOL). Guess the moral of the story is we always worry just about different things. What would life be without worry?

MMAMom2011 · 06-03-2009, 07:22 PM

An alarm? I think I remember hearing something about large metal pipes being thrown and CLANGING down the hallway at some inhumane hour.

Love the bubblewrap idea. Good one. LOL

Welcome MG!

weski · 06-08-2009, 03:37 PM

Jamzmom: You have been a light in the darkness for so many! Many a bottle of Merlot has been appreciated, along with chocolate and bubblewrap. Watches, cameras and underwear bought and lost. Obsessive parenting to "hope I hear from him this month - wherever in the world he is." Your good humor has kept many nervous nellys calm and entertained and informed us all. When your ds graduates momentarily, please draft a "Pearls of Wisdom" as your leave behind - and DO drop in occasionally!

And from my ds emailing from Gibraltar - did you know that monkeys are all over Gibraltar rock and caves? Who knew? Our lives have been vastly expanded by this experience.

Jamzmom · 06-09-2009, 09:45 AM

Weski, I think this is the first time I’ve ever been left speechless. LOL Thanks for the kind words. I’m afraid my “Pearls of Wisdom” would be more like Merlot 101 & How to Hang Up on Your Mid. I’m just so darn happy to see so many parents & Mids networking these days. I’ve made some great friends here & my respect for all of our young people has grown ten-fold. Sure have learned a lot from you & so many others (you know who you are). It helped me to NOT throw up during this roller coaster ride. And I truly love it that the use of bubble wrap has stuck here.

Btw, I need to get with you so we can maybe work out a way for YOUR son to get me that monkey. As you know, I could never get my kid to cooperate. Something about breaking the law, they’re nasty, they bite, yada yada yada.

usafamom · 06-09-2009, 10:39 AM

Jamzmom, Did I read somewhere that your son was commissioning into the Air Force? If so what base is he headed to ?

PS We have found that the roller coaster doesn't end with graduation! Congratulations to the class of 2009.

Jamzmom · 06-09-2009, 06:45 PM

usafamom, yup, going to Maxwell then on to Goodfellow for Intel. Never know where a KP kid will end up.

poksm · 07-06-2009, 02:15 PM

Getting confused about indoc "must haves". Here and on Academy Forum, it was suggested that safety pins, duct tape, velcro, Gold Bond.... are "musts" but later posts say don't bring anything not on list. Yes or no to these addtional, not-officially-sanctioned supplies?