What does a new Navy recruit need

[vonn]

My daughter the school teacher just called me and asked what gift a soon to be sailor would need. She taught this boy when she first started teaching and he invited her to his high school graduation after which he is off to the Navy. Any of you sailors have suggestions? Army didn’t teach me anything about the Navy!

 

[joe44va]

A Bible and a Swiss Army knife.

 

[chiefbob81]

Shaving travel bag, roll of stamps, high quality flip flops.

 

[oneounceload]

prepaid phone card

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Here’s what the Navy says-

Here is a list of stuff you can bring to Navy boot camp:

One pair of prescription glasses (most recent pair) and reading glasses. You will not be allowed to wear contact lenses during recruit training. If only contact lenses are worn (e.g., a recent pair of glasses is not available), you may wear the contact lenses to RTC and bring a contact lens case with a small bottle of solution for cleaning, disinfecting, and storage. Military glasses will be issued during the first few days of in-processing and contact lens wear will then no longer be permitted.
Money – recommended, $10 – maximum of $50 (you won’t need more than that)
Light sweater/jacket for winter months – it will be mailed back to your home after arrival at your expense.
Completed Direct Deposit Sign-Up (Standard Form 1199A).
Checkbook and ATM card
Photo Identification/ Drivers license
Small Bible
Social Security Card
Pre-paid calling cards
Looks like for a gift- it’s Pre-paid calling cards.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Here’s what the Navy says-

Here is a list of stuff you can bring to Navy boot camp:

One pair of prescription glasses (most recent pair) and reading glasses. You will not be allowed to wear contact lenses during recruit training. If only contact lenses are worn (e.g., a recent pair of glasses is not available), you may wear the contact lenses to RTC and bring a contact lens case with a small bottle of solution for cleaning, disinfecting, and storage. Military glasses will be issued during the first few days of in-processing and contact lens wear will then no longer be permitted.
Money – recommended, $10 – maximum of $50 (you won’t need more than that)
Light sweater/jacket for winter months – it will be mailed back to your home after arrival at your expense.
Completed Direct Deposit Sign-Up (Standard Form 1199A).
Checkbook and ATM card
Photo Identification/ Drivers license
Small Bible
Social Security Card
Pre-paid calling cards
Looks like for a gift- it’s Pre-paid calling cards.

Not really any different than my son to Army basic in 1998 and second son took to Parris Island in 1999. From my experience some phone cards is Number one on the gift list for the beginning of his career, a Swiss Army Knife (without any serration blades) for the rest of his life!

Ivan

 

[yaktamer]

Army didn’t teach me anything about the Navy!

It taught me everybody was right about the food: "GI grits and GI gravy, gee I should have joined the Navy."

 

[Muley Gil]

"...a Swiss Army Knife (without any serration blades) for the rest of his life!"

Why no serrations? I like blades that are half serrated.

 

[delcrossv]

My recent Navy recruit permanently borrowed my bosun's knife (folding, with a fid). Better than a Swiss army type. It's also always good to send tobacco products, particularly dip as it's good trade goods aboard ship, even if your sailor doesn't imbibe .

 

[JayFramer]

A bible.

I’m just kidding, a Swiss Army Knife or prepaid phone card.

 

[RobertJ.]

My aunt gave me a little black book!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

"...a Swiss Army Knife (without any serration blades) for the rest of his life!"

Why no serrations? I like blades that are half serrated.

The Marine (the land part of the Navy) regs prohibited serrated blades. Based on the saw tooth blade regs from the Hague Accord proscriptions. I assume the wet part of the Navy does too.

Personally my favorite SWK is a Camper with the main blade serrated. I bought in Mexico in Jan 1978 and still take it camping.

Ivan

 

[dockmurgw]

When my son went to Parris Island, he took nothing more than the required documents and the clothes on his back. Perhaps your daughter could arrange to have a gift given to him on graduation day, when he will become a human being again...have her check with family, any of them going to see it? I went to my sons, I wouldn't have missed it. Anyway, from what I saw at the Chicago airport this past Saturday AM, McDonalds gift certificates will be a hit. It was a sea of kids in their whites lined up at the counter. I had some $10 meal vouchers from United and I gave them out to the young sailors waiting in line.

 

[Izzydog]

Once he's out of boot camp, a nice Leatherman multi tool, or a quality flashlight, are pretty good gifts. A decent pillow, and a quality sleeping bag, were my personal luxury items aboard ship.

 

[Old TexMex]

Unless the Navy has changed, the 3”x4” pocket sized version of the book Alcoholics Anonymous. Prevention is the best cure.
and a pocket flashlight.

 

[H Richard]

Don't give them a knife for boot camp, it will be take away. Save that for graduation form boot. A leatherman tool is always useful.

 

[delcrossv]

Unless the Navy has changed, the 3”x4” pocket sized version of the book Alcoholics Anonymous. Prevention is the best cure.
and a pocket flashlight.

LOL. Yep. According to my son, at least in that way, the Navy hasn't changed.

 

[Old cop]

I would NOT suggest a Swiss Army knife, or any other kind of knife for boot camp. The Navy will classify that as a weapon and either confiscate it or require him to send it home.

 

[Rustyt1953]

When my Son-in-Law went to Parris Island in '07, he was told to bring his wallet. All else would be made available to him.

When I went to Lackland in '71, I was allowed to bring a valet.

 

[johnt671]

The best thing she will need is good advice, like keep your eyes and ears open and mouth shut.