Deciding to go to Military Training will be one of the most significant choices you will be making for yourself. Not only will you have the opportunity to be part of the armed forces, but also the knowledge and the experience you will gain will stay with you for the remainder of your life.

This will also require a lot of preparation physically and mentally because you will be subjected to rather difficult situations to simulate the extreme conditions that you will be expected to handle when you are out ‘in the field’.

You will also have to prepare a number of things to make things that will help you during the training. They can be more than 8 items, but the list will include the things that are very useful. Your training unit can change the list depending on their requirements.

Here are some of the items that you will need to have when you are considering military training:

1. Clothes

It is recommended that you bring these items in a small suitcase or duffel bag along with other items you will need.

Clothes are important in any event that your uniform will not come timely you will have a clean and decent set of clothes as an alternative. You can prepare clothes that will be good for one day.

They should be comfortable and casual but not ragged or clothes with too much flair. You should also bring a pair of plain white socks and three sets of white underwear.

2. Boots

You can also bring your own shoes or boots. Military boots are designed to provide traction, ankle support, and foot protection which is best for any terrain.

You can opt to bring minimalist military boots as it also provides the same features as combat boots but with its own unique characteristics.

You should do your research from reviews and other resources to choose boots that best suits you and this endeavour.

It can have some or all of these features which include breathable uppers, lightweight sole, slip-resistant rubber outsole, a low heel to toe drop, Achilles’ support, and waterproofing.

These technologies will help you perform at your best when you undergo rigorous military training.

3. Money

Although you will be given your salary through the Eagle Card, which you will receive when you enter the facility, you may not receive it for another few weeks depending on your start date.

So it is wise to bring your own cash to help you get by while waiting for your first paycheck. There will be things that you will need once you get the camp and some things that you will not expect will happen, hence it is better to be prepared.

You can also bring a traveller’s check, but a personal check is not suitable because of limited cashiers to convert those.

4. Documents

You will need to bring supporting documents that will have to be submitted or presented at the reception.

Place those documents in a separate large envelope for easy access when you need to get a hold of them.

These documents (should generally) include your Social Security card, a valid driver’s license, state ID, original or certified copies of certificates of your birth, marriage, or birth certificates of your children under 18.

If you were not born in the country you will need proof of citizenship.

You will also need to bring your scholastic records such as your transcript of records; GED, your high school diploma, or training documents from ROTC.

5. Personal kit

This is pretty basic since you will not be on vacation in some fancy hotel or in some five-star resort, you are going to provide for your own basic personal hygiene kit.

Although you can purchase these items when you get to the camp through salary deduction, it is recommended to pack your own items beforehand. This will make it easy for you to have them already on-hand and you can avoid unnecessary costs while you are there.

Your basic kit is composed of shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving cream for men, and for women you can pack tampons and bobby pins, or hair ties that match the hair of the recruit.

6. Prescription Eyewear

This is for those with eyes that do not have 20-20 vision. You will be undergoing stressful coordination exercises and are required to perform tasks with dim lighting that will need military flashlight.

Even when working under daylight if you need glasses and other visual aids, you will need to pack those with you before you arrive at the centre.

Normally, people with glasses will not forget to bring them, but they may forget to bring a safety strap. They are important so that you will not lose them when you are doing hard physical activities.

And those who wear contact lenses may forget to bring their case and other peripherals.

You will also need to bring back up pairs, in case your first pair may not make it to the end of the training period.

To emphasise the importance of these things, training is already hard enough and to do it with poor vision will be a herculean task that you are asking yourself.

7. Protection for your Extremities

Training will mean you will be doing exercises in different weather conditions that will include extreme heat and cold.

You will be sorely mistaken if you think you will survive the training without some protection for your extremities.

Exposure to weather for long hours can have adverse effects on your body so bringing gloves, cap, and socks will help prevent those parts from getting hurt or numb.

You can also bring a backpack to keep your back warm. This will also reduce the pain in your throat and lungs when you are under the cold weather.

Gloves should be able to insulate your hand from the weather outside, but also should allow you movement and flexibility on your fingers. You can also bring masks or head and face protection.

Apply moisturiser or sunscreen on the exposed skin to avoid irritation. When you prefer to run and do exercises outside during the winter, always keep yourself warm even when you are already doing cardio.

8. Locks

You will be assigned a locker for your belongings. However, you will not be having such a great time if you do not secure it.

You can bring a combination lock or just a padlock with two keys.

There are still a lot of things that you will have to sort out before you go to Military Training, the basic stuff is important as well as things that will help you focus when you are there.

Keep yourself healthy both body and mind. Expect harsh physical training and prepare yourself for that beforehand.

You will definitely learn something from the training and it will be one of your fondest memories in your life if you do your best.