I'm not sure about what the British Military is like, but ive read on an American military forum that ALOT of things are taken away from recruits, and that they are not even aloud to take their own Batteries with them???? Is this really true, or the same with the British Army? I went on an Army Recruiting website and found some online forms which state the kit you are aloud to take with you, which also includes personal items, such as a SMALL radio/cd player, yet the Americans recon they get them taken off them by the Staff???
Can anyone WITH CERTAIN KNOWLEDGE or anyone whos been through the process of basic recently, be able to shed some light on these kind of things. I've read about all the "leave your attitude at home", and only bring spare clothes, underwear, razors and things, but what are other peoples experiences? Did anyone have anything taken off them, see any other recruits get things taken away from them? Any recommendations on what to do, take or not to take?
Just reading some of the posts on the American Military in basic, there are quite alot of restrictions. As for CD players and things, they say you dont have time for them, which I can understand. Well worth an ask about anyway, cheers....
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Kit/Item Restrictions at Basic
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Worthers Original
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I wouldn't worry about what the USArmy are up to unless you intend joining them. There shouldn't be a problem with you having your own personal stereo/minidisc player whatever so long as you secure it. Leave it lying around and it may get confiscated and you could be put on a charge for leaving it unsecured but that's the same for any of your kit.
I'm not sure, I think you will be ok taking books. I wouldnt mind taking a book. I have read thou on thw yanks site, which im sure WILL apply to the British Army too, NOT to bring any army manuals, weapon/vehicle statistics and things, as the staff will give you a hard time during training?!?! Who knows, but I dont want to risk that.
On the lines of books thou, will you be aloud to take like a small diary. I was wanting to make a training log of all my training from Day 1. Would be good to look back on at the end of training and things..
On the lines of books thou, will you be aloud to take like a small diary. I was wanting to make a training log of all my training from Day 1. Would be good to look back on at the end of training and things..
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Worthers Original
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- Location: London
For a comprehensive recruits diary click on:Worthers Original wrote:Yes you'd be allowed to keep a diary, why would want to stop you? In fact they'll probably be impressed.
www.DiaryOfaRecruit.com
A most informative and interesting read.
Gore.
Mexican bandit, "Badges?! We don't need no stinking badges....."
Major Kong, "Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in vegas with all that stuff....."
Gore, "The first casualty of war is your underpants....."
Major Kong, "Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in vegas with all that stuff....."
Gore, "The first casualty of war is your underpants....."
Yeah me too Mal, would be nice to look back and have the memories. With regards to the books, I was thinking about taking 'the soldiers pocket guide', showing you how to map read and strip a SA80 guess I can rule that out 
I wouldnt mind taking some Army fiction related books, just to motivate me.
Gore nice site cheers, still yet to be completed tho? Is it yours?
Sorry just relised its a new site
EDIT: added some
I wouldnt mind taking some Army fiction related books, just to motivate me.
Gore nice site cheers, still yet to be completed tho? Is it yours?
Sorry just relised its a new site
EDIT: added some
Ah,
Sorry mate. A wee bit of sarcasm there. It is run by a former member of this site who was Court Marshalled and escorted from the premises.
A prospective soldier who will undoubtedly be killed by his own troops.
Gore.
Sorry mate. A wee bit of sarcasm there. It is run by a former member of this site who was Court Marshalled and escorted from the premises.
A prospective soldier who will undoubtedly be killed by his own troops.
Gore.
Mexican bandit, "Badges?! We don't need no stinking badges....."
Major Kong, "Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in vegas with all that stuff....."
Gore, "The first casualty of war is your underpants....."
Major Kong, "Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in vegas with all that stuff....."
Gore, "The first casualty of war is your underpants....."
Unless the world has changed since I trained recruits in 1985 at Catterick, you are allowed walkmans, radios, etc and books. For the first few weeks you will be too knackered to bother with them 
. Don't bother with military manuals they will probably be wrong or out of date anyway. You will be given everything you need to learn with. At first some kit will be packed away and taken off you then at some point in your training you get it back. If you have a walkman/personal stereo, dont use it with headphones(zombie box mode) as you will not be able to intergrate into you troop/section/platoon if you disappear into your own little world every chance you get. As for books I would recommend Sven Hassel you can pick up some good tips on what a real soldier should act like 
also any of Andy Mcnabs so you can impress the girlies.
. Don't bother with military manuals they will probably be wrong or out of date anyway. You will be given everything you need to learn with. At first some kit will be packed away and taken off you then at some point in your training you get it back. If you have a walkman/personal stereo, dont use it with headphones(zombie box mode) as you will not be able to intergrate into you troop/section/platoon if you disappear into your own little world every chance you get. As for books I would recommend Sven Hassel you can pick up some good tips on what a real soldier should act like also any of Andy Mcnabs so you can impress the girlies.I've just been thinking. Are you aloud to take anything like painkillers? I can see myself at some point, purhaps before an endurance march or something with aching feet which will stop me performing, where painkillers would be useful. I can see the answer to painkillers been a big NO NO, but worth an ask. Even at tip top health, im sure ill be one of many who will pick up injuries and the medical centre will be the last place I want to end up!!!
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Worthers Original
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If you want a good book before you go that you can take with you then I'd advise "Mountaincraft and Leadership" Eric Langmuir but as Dave.Mil says they'll provide all you need.
Are you allowed to take painkillers etc with you? I wouldn't bother. If you really need them go see the Doc but I'd advise you get in the habit of keeping yourself well hydrated as you'll probably find you get quite run down in the first few weeks with so much to do and being hydrated takes away one worry.
Oh, a radio would probably be better than a stereo. Nice to keep up with what's going on in the world with news and sport.
Are you allowed to take painkillers etc with you? I wouldn't bother. If you really need them go see the Doc but I'd advise you get in the habit of keeping yourself well hydrated as you'll probably find you get quite run down in the first few weeks with so much to do and being hydrated takes away one worry.
Oh, a radio would probably be better than a stereo. Nice to keep up with what's going on in the world with news and sport.
Worthers Original excellent book suggestion there is a lot to learn from that even though it is 100% civilian much of it can be applied to the military.
If you need painkillers go sick.
Unless you are a fully qualified doctor.
If you try to play the hardman and tough it out by the time you see a doctor it may be too late and require prolonged treatment. Don't confuse a minor ache with a real injury if in doubt speak to your instructor.
I was once told all the SAS are hypocondriacs(spelling) that go sick at the first twinge so they are fully fit for any operation.
I would'nt try going to that extreme but it's a good way to look at it.
If you need painkillers go sick.
Unless you are a fully qualified doctor.
If you try to play the hardman and tough it out by the time you see a doctor it may be too late and require prolonged treatment. Don't confuse a minor ache with a real injury if in doubt speak to your instructor.
I was once told all the SAS are hypocondriacs(spelling) that go sick at the first twinge so they are fully fit for any operation.
I would'nt try going to that extreme but it's a good way to look at it.
I.m in the middle of basic right now (home on long weekend) and you can take pretty much anything you want. One guy brought a portable DVD player so we've been watching movies, we got speakers to play music real loud and one guy's planning to bring his laptop when we get back. Painkillers can be taken too, like Advil and Asprin.
