Heads up though, you really won't have too much time to moisturize in the beginning. Thank you so much Erin. You have been a very big help with my preparations. If I didn't see your posts on Youtube, I probably would be very nervous. Thank you so much, I would recommend your site to others who are interested to enlist… Again, thank so much. Shy Whoops! Realized I called you "Sky" above! It's a HUGE undertaking. Being anxious at least shows that you care about what you're about to do, as you should.
Thanks for sharing the site! Best of luck to you, it's an amazing journey! I'm ecstatic, enlisted over 9 months ago and can't wait to do this!
Because I'm sure it will be scorching hot when I get down there I'm wondering what is appropriate to wear for arrival and civi clothes until I get my uniform……conservative shorts?
Or should I stick with pants? I know to wear plain simple clothing with no logos. Sandy — I personally went for a lightweight khaki pant. Do you think it would be possible to put a conditioner or cream in my hair, after I am already out of the shower, and use that to slick my hair back?
My hair is really curly and dry, which results in lots of knots and tangles. In theory, the coditioner could help my comb my hair faster and save it at the same time. What's your opinion? Everyone mentions only gel so there must be a reason…. Miranda — That would be fine, I'm sure. HI, Erin, thanks for all your blogging! I was recently told that theyve made some changes and that we cannot bring cell phones or an electronic device of any kind to basic with us… do you know if this is accurate?
Bianca — I would think not. Erin, I've heard a lot about wearing crew neck tees. Would it matter if I wore plain black scoop neck not low tees? Moisturizer… is it necessary? I heard I'll sweat like the dickens down there, but what about one with SPF? If it's not necessary, I'm not bringing it! I already gave all that info to our people here at the ANG, but just curious if I'll need it again.
Don't want to be a perfectionist… just want to make sure I do it right! Hello Erin,I was looking for some packing information before I leave on May 6th and your blog has been super helpful. I still have a couple inquiries though. So, I was given a packing list my my recruiter but its not terribly specific. Is this something I'm going to actually need? Will this be a problem? Black should be fine, correct? A large backpack or medium duffle perhaps?
Cheyenne Lanham — Thank you! No, you won't need hair nets. The "P" will be fine — you're only wearing civilian athletic socks for the first few days. Compression shorts HAVE to be black, so you're good there. I went for a medium duffle. If you do a black backpack, make sure it's a solid color and has no logos — you'll be able to use it at tech school if so. Tampons for sure, just due to the physical nature of BMT. I also wouldn't want to be sweaty and nasty with a pad on.
It would make you an easy target. Best of luck to you! Erin, you mentioned bringing a black watch. Is that the only color they will accept? ShaneWM — The first two are the most appropriate. I would buy one of those before I bought the third, due to the blue trim.
The silver trim is fine. I tend to chafe and will use the jelly to lubricate and the powder to keep dry. Should I pack a small amount of these items or buy them? Love the site! Thank you for all of the advice on this site! It has been extremely helpful, especially since my recruiter is a guy and relatively new to recruiting and hasn't been able to tell me much about basic from the female perspective. I was wondering what exactly you meant about bringing 20 copies of orders.
My recruiter hasn't mentioned anything about bringing orders. What orders am I supposed to bring. I leave 2 weeks from tomorrow for bmt and I'm going open general. Wesley — I would say pretty available in the mini-mall. I might consider taking a travel size of each down there, and buying large ones later if needed. Are you Reserve or Guard? We got copies of our orders prior to leaving.
If you are AD, ignore, as it doesn't apply to you. I got my orders the day I left. Good luck to you! Hello,Question about the white socks… Can we bring over the calf white socks to PT in? I prefer to run in tall socks because they don't fall down and also add a little compression to my legs which is always nice. Is that typically allowed as long as they are plain white?
Also, did you see shin splints as a common injury while you were at bmt? I get them sometimes so I am a little concerned. Thanks for the info. Kelly, the problem is that they'll issue you your socks, so you have no choice. Shin splints and blisters as somewhat common, unfortunately. Hey Erin! I had a question concerning about glasses. Do we need to bring a document from our doctor showing our prescription? I know you said that they can take it from our current glasses, but I was just wondering if a document is needed as well.
Thanks for all the info! Hi erin, I was wondering if tweezers would be allowed for eyebrows? Also how much time is allowed to get ready during bmt for females. Tiffani Smallwood — I did, just in case, although I think they scan your glasses like most doctor's offices do these days.
Keep in mind that it requires your glasses to be up to date to have a current prescription in your BCGs. Good luck! Ashley Rouse — I had them for both — for uniforms and my eyebrows. You will have very little time to get ready at BMT, so things like eyebrows didn't happen for me until trips to the "latrine" after lights out.
Kimberly Benavides — I did. I have a separate post about makeup and the breakdown of what I brought. I didn't end up wearing it for pictures, but for sure at graduation time. Your blog is very helpful. Its 8oz or sthinCan I bring the dentex dental floss that's also a toothpick at the end? That's what I use as floss. For the pantyhose can I bring black ones or what is the best color?
Can I go to BMT in cornrows? If so what size do they have to be? I have natural hair thought it would be easier to have them. The sunscreen must be in a 3oz bottle or smaller. You shouldn't have a problem with the floss, but they will take up space in the back of your drawer. Yes, black pantyhose are permissible, or one that matches your skin tone.
Cornrows are always debatable — make sure you check AFI it will pop up in Google to see how wide they're allowed to be, otherwise you'd have to remove them. Thanks for your response. I'm carrying a small suitcase so I wont have any carry ons. I was thinking of putting it in that suitcase.
Will that be a problem? Will the MTIs allow me to have it? When I went through it was highly discouraged, and we all did carry-on only. The MTIs are right there, and didn't want you retrieving bags from the luggage carousals — the idea was that you didn't want to run the risk of losing your bag.
The sunscreen is not a problem, you can stash it in the back of your security drawer. I leave for BMT in 3 days. Do females shower right away in the morning, at night, or during some other time of day?
Thank you! Ellie Zieg — I was there during the summer and we showered in the morning after PT and at night. Those are comfortable for my legs when I run. Ashley Le — You can try, but they will issue you socks, so you probably won't be able to use them.
Thanks in advance for all the helpful information. Angelika — You can try. Worst they'll do it probably have you keep them in your civilian luggage. Nail files should be fine. I just went with standard clippers. They may give you crap about not having time to do your nails, and "What do you think this is, a beauty salon? Hey Erin, I know this may seem like short notice. You got the under armor ones, but were they the long or the short ones?
I have big thighs 5 pounds under the max weight , so I was thinking the longer ones, but what should I get? Thanks so much! Emily — I would go for the longer ones. Mine are probably " inseam, and they totally ride up when you're running. Longer may not be "cute," but they'll help your thighs in the long run no pun intended , especially if you've ever had chafing before — ouch!
So I ship out in 4 days and I'm finalizing my packing now, I only wish I had come across this list last month! My big question is should I pack heels to wear with dress blues or will we be able to buy them there?
Miranda — Totally missed your ship date, so I hope you're having a great time so far! No need for heels, you won't wear them until you're operational, most likely. Emily — You're welcome! I cannot describe the feeling of security I have after reading all of your advice, even fours years later. So I am hoping you still check here every once in a not-so blue moon. I am leaving in exactly two weeks, so I am trying to get my final preparations finished.
The only thing I am primarily concerned with is the size of my pack I am taking. I bought a 50L pack from kelty. The redwing 50 to be exact, and I feel as though it might be too big? I got it on sale and I had to buy something because the only pack I had was neon pink. There is no way I was taking that. Any advice would be fantastic! Blossomed Curiosity — How sweet of you to say, thank you! Yes, I do check in. I think your bag will be fine, and should be a good piece to take you from BMT to tech school.
I took a 24" duffle, so there's not much difference. Hye Erin, officially in DEP and waiting for a job now. So crazy! Thanks for answering all the questions I've had so far.
I'm sure I'll come up with a few more I've started packing and I also have 3 pairs of compression shorts. I was wondering how you went about rotating the 3 pairs throughout the week. Kierstin Mock — Awesome! Glad to help. You rotate through laundry because you're doing it every day.
So, one was always in my drawer, one in the laundry, and one on my body. I leave May 31! Thanks for putting all your BMT experiences out to help others. I fell a lot more prepared now! Enjoy Lackland in the summer! I'm leaving on May 24th, i want to know if the backpack that I would have to bring should be black or could it be any color?
Also, the sports bra and underwear if all could be any color too? Any color works. Right, but would multi-colored sports bras be okay as well? Also, thanks for posting this information. Undergarment and shoe colors do not matter at all. Just take what you would normally wear. I was wondering if it would be alright to bring moleskin and Vaseline with me to BMT? I just want to be prepared for blisters and dry, cracked skin as much as possible!
Thank you! I know that it was hit or miss with what they would take. If you get blisters, they will give you a blister pack, which is really only a bit of ointment and some band-aids. Then again, most of the blisters have healed by that time….
So happy for you Liz! Long time, no chat haha. So great to hear from you! And guess what!? Buckley, to be exact Denver. Thanks for checking back in! Definitely gonna read more of your blogs soon. Hi Meg, I also did a lot of Googling for personal experiences from females who went through Basic and are not in the Air Force.
They tend to sugarcoat things. Feel free to ask me any questions, and you can always email me through my Contact page. This has been so great to read. I go to MEPS in two weeks. When does the AF switch to the winter training schedule? Good luck at MEPS! I shipped out on Sept. They considered it too cold to do PT in the mornings during that time. If you want to buy your own first, any kind will do, but it should be black. It can have a small emblem on it for the brand, but just some basic black one that comfortably fit while running.
The problem with buying things there is that you may not like what they have to offer. It really depends on your preference. Did you need a towel or do they supply them? I know that is such a random question, I saw it on another packing list and I leave in 10 days.
You will have to buy their towels when you get down to BMT, but the first night or two, we had to use what we had… which was nothing. Are you allowed to keep your lotion and soap at BMT? I want to take some of my nice ones in a travel sized bottled. They will let you keep it. You have to have something to wash your body with. You will also have the chance to buy new shampoo and conditioner, etc.
Thanks, Liz. I heard so many stories, especially the one about not buying anything for BMT. The reason being they take everything from you, and everyone goes to the BX. I almost forgot is it true that they take your spandex, sports bras, etc and issue new ones?
No problem! This is why I write. I thought the same thing about BMT. It is not that bad. They do not take your underwear or bras, etc, and they do not care what color they are, but Spandex must be black. They do issue the guys underwear.
I do not know why. Enlisting was the best decision I have made and I never regret it. Look me up if you get stationed at Buckley! Liz I cannot thank you enough. Writing, and even starting a blog was a great idea. All they can tell you is what they know or might know. At times it can really suck, especially having a male as a recruiter and asking him female stuff, lol.
Like this one time I asked him about birth control, boy that was awkward. Once again thank you,so much! Be sure that any products you buy are easy to clean! For those who wear make-up, it will be held in a locker until Family day so you will not have access to it. One little golden nugget to know is that you will have two drawers — your inspection drawer and your personal drawer. Air Force Basic Training is designed to test you to your limits, taking you outside of your comfort zone.
You will be in the care of the Air Force and they will provide you with anything you need. These items will be confiscated and either sent home at your expense or destroyed. Below are some of the common things that recruits bring that will not be permitted at basic training:.
Any doctor-prescribed medication can be brought with you. Just be sure that it is in its pharmacy issued, labeled container with original prescription documentation. Once this is all verified, a military doctor will then prescribe and re-issue the necessary medication from the on-base pharmacy.
If you are a female recruit already taking birth control, it is recommended that you continue doing so throughout BMT. That just about sums up what you need to bring and not to bring to Air Force Basic Training.
If you have other questions regarding what to bring, your recruiter is a great point of contact and there to answer these types of questions. How long is Air Force Basic Training. NOTE: This is due to availability of products listed above.
If you have any further questions you may contact your local recruiters for further information and guidance. Items for recruits applying for US Citizenship :. If you have any further questions you may contact your local recruiter for further information and guidance.
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