Because storage space is extremely limited at Recruit Training Command (RTC), you should limit the amount of personal effects you bring, and keep luggage to a maximum of one small gym or travel bag.
If you are reporting to RTC during winter months (October through April) wear warm outer clothing – it does get cold near the lake! Keep in mind that during your in-processing you will be required to mail any item not listed below, with your excess civilian clothing and personal effects, to your home at your own expense, or donate the stuff to charity. Personal items and clothing won’t be allowed to be stored at boot-camp.
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.
Basic makeup: Female/one of each: face powder, blush, lipstick, eye shadow and mascara (non-aerosol or glass). Make-up will be authorized for division photographs, family night, and on graduation liberty only.
Note: At a designated time, you will be sent to the dispensary at RTC for medical evaluation.
Additional Items to Bring, if Applicable;
Immunization Record
Small address book
Jewelry (limit to Wedding Ring, Watch, Religious Medallion)
Retainer case
Passport
Credit Cards
Family Papers. If you’re married, bring copies of your marriage certificate and the birth certificates of all your dependent children. These certificates are necessary to register allotments. You must also bring copies of court decrees pertaining to alimony and child support. Additionally, if either your wife or husband has been previously divorced, a certified copy of divorce documents is required.
Alien Papers. You must bring a copy of your certificate of entry.
Females in-processing at Navy boot-camp
Females – To expedite your medical processing, if you have had a PAP smear/pelvic examination during the six months prior to leaving for RTC bring the test results with you. Additionally, if you’re currently using birth control pills, bring copies of exam records (in addition to the pills) specifying type(s) of birth control pills both presently and previously prescribed. You will receive a pregnancy test within three days of arrival at Recruit Training. If the test results are positive, you will be discharged.
Your hair – Female new recruits may travel to RTC with their hair styled as desired. The standard hair length for females may touch but not fall below a horizontal line level with the lower edge of the back of the uniform collar. Females will have their hair cut (styled) to military standards after reporting to RTC for a nominal fee.
Males will have their head shaved to a stubble length.
Items that will be sent home (at your expense), donated to charity, or otherwise disposed of :
All alcohol based health and comfort items
Civilian Clothing
Cameras
All electronic/electric items
Curling irons
All books and magazines
Cards, dice, or other gambling paraphernalia
Large and bulky stationary
Large plastic picks, rakes, etc., or any made of metal
Anything made of glass, including mirrors
Double-edged razor blades
Scissors
Disposable lighters
Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, tobacco (smoking, chewing, or dipping)
Volunteer jobs are the ones that the RDC allow you to volunteer for — some ask for volunteers, and others appoint the positions of RCPO, Section Leaders, APOs, etc. To get promoted in boot-camp, you have to stand out above everyone else — demonstrate leadership!
The Buddy Program guarantees that you will be in the same boot-camp company — if you have the same “A” school, then you will more than likely be at school during the same time frame, but only boot-camp is guaranteed.
hi, I will go to the “boot camp” in two months. As I am a chinese，my English is not perfect, can I bring a small dictionary book? Because I know I need to learn a lot of knowledge in the camp!
I was wondering what the “volunteer” jobs during boot camp were and what does one have to do to leave boot camp as a seaman or E-3?