Packing Question

[chpwife2b]

Well it's almost January 7th and we are trying to make sure we have everything packed. Just a few questions: Is some type of jacket provided to match the uniform? If not should we purchase a certain color or type? Also, this might sound silly but are cadet's allowed to wear watches?
Finally, we were told to pack some professional clothing just in case uniforms are not in. Does this mean wear a suit on those days or would slacks, dress shirt, and tie be o.k.? Oh, one more thing...athletic supporter? I searched the forum but I didnt find a clear answer.
Thanks

[jrsfan]

There probably will not be a need for extra dress clothing. We had been told numerous times that even if a cadet's uniforms were not ready, they would find another cadet his size to share uniforms until they were available. My husband did take an athletic supporter, but I don't know if he has needed it yet. We had also purchased an overcoat for him, but he still has not needed it and it's still at our house. The key thing is to pack as lightly as you can since he will have a lot to carry on pick up day. We took far too much up there, so I spent the night before repacking his duffel bag to fit the essentials.

I'm not by any means an expert on all this stuff, but that's the advice I can offer. It's all still fresh in my mind since we just did this in October. If you have any other specific questions, please let me know and hopefully I can help.

[Desertrat]

Report in suit and tie. There will be a jacket available with the cadet uniform. Whoever doesn't have their uniform available yet will attend classes etc., in the suit/tie until the unifrom comes in.


Unless things have changed in the last few years.

[23109]

A watch is a required part of the general cadet uniform. Get a cheap digital watch and turn off the chimes / beeps !

As Desert Rat stated, a jacket will be provided with the cadet uniform. Hint: pack a small packet of safety pins. And he will report in a suit / tie (hopefully black and not yellow or green!).

[jrsfan]

We found a good cheap one at Target, don't spend a lot. Everything else adds up!

[Mom]

Does this mean wear a suit on those days or would slacks, dress shirt, and tie be o.k.? Oh, one more thing...athletic supporter? I searched the forum but I didnt find a clear answer.
ThanksMy son packed an extra dress shirt for his suit, but even though he was among the last invites, his uniform was waiting when he arrived. He didn't take an athletic supporter. And while the cadet uniform looked decent on him, the tans look so much better!

[chpwife2b]

Thanks for all of the responses. They have been very helpful. I was wondering if the academy has a near by barber shop where cadets go for their haircuts? I have come to learn that men are just as "picky" about their hair as us women:rolleyes:

[Mom]

Thanks for all of the responses. They have been very helpful. I was wondering if the academy has a near by barber shop where cadets go for their haircuts? I have come to learn that men are just as "picky" about their hair as us women:rolleyes:I'm sorry, but ROTFL!!!! The barber shop is kept in the laundry area I believe, but my son generally just did his Sunday nights. Here is a pic from 2 weeks ago to get an idea about haircuts offered at Camp Snoopy. http://www.chp.ca.gov/cadet/07-III-big/7.jpg

[rs]

Thanks for all of the responses. They have been very helpful. I was wondering if the academy has a near by barber shop where cadets go for their haircuts? I have come to learn that men are just as "picky" about their hair as us women:rolleyes:

get some clippers at target, take off the guard and go to town. hope he's not too attached to his hair.

i had never shaved my head before the academy, so it was a shock looking in the mirror, but you get used to it.

[FDandH]

A watch is a required part of the general cadet uniform. Get a cheap digital watch and turn on the chimes / beeps !











Just kidding...:biggrin:

[23112]

I got a cheap digital watch the night before I started at the Academy and I'm still using it on the road (I was in III-05)! Make sure you have one before reporting--I'm sure your paperwork states that it is, as 23109 said, part of the cadet uniform. Go for black.

As for the athletic supporter (squelching a myriad of jokes, here), it's his call. He'll be fine without one. The only time we needed one was for the sumo-wrestling class...and it was ugly.

And definitely have him bring a pair of clippers and make sure he can use it. Leave the guards at home. :smile:

[spikerman19]

What about a silver analog watch?

[Hammer]

What about a silver analog watch?

I would stick with a black digital watch and avoid the special attention of standing out from the crowd. I used a black Timex Ironman which has very convenient military time, especially if you are not used to translating from analog to military.

[CHPwannaBE]

Why not invest in a nice watch? I have a suunto vector which I love. These watches are pretty tough and have many features that I would think would be valuable to officers on the road; military time optional, elevation, barometric pressure, temperature, etc....I have had it for 2+ years and plan on wearing it until the day I die.

[Jeff Rhea]

Watches: I wore an analog through the Academy and I wear one on the road. I prefer to keep it simple, I just want it to tell me the time. But that's me. Silver, black, or gold will work (I've worn all three over the years).

Barber shop: I understand male cadets have been reduced to a shaved head. If you are not that tight on money, there are several barber shops nearby, about three miles on El Camino Real, West Sac.

Your locker space is VERY limited. Travel light, you can always bring more trash later. Anything more than an alarm clock, six days worth of underware, a black pair of boots, and a shave kit is a luxury.

Good Luck!

[playin in traffic]

$20 for a watch is plenty.... but extra attention from the staff office when they see a pretty, shiny watch sure makes the academy more exciting. Even with a "tough watch", I would be more concerned with losing it or damging it in a scuffle.... Just 2 cents for the piggy bank.

On the subject of elevation and barometric pressure, I don't think the average traffic copper would ever have need to know the exact readings of either of those measurements for any report that I have encountered in my time on.


"features that I would think would be valuable to officers on the road; military time optional, elevation, barometric pressure, temperature, etc."

[Dipmo]

Barber shop: I understand male cadets have been reduced to a shaved head. If you are not that tight on money, there are several barber shops nearby, about three miles on El Camino Real, West Sac.

Even cheaper; have a roommate, quad mate, or your significant other shave your nugget for you each week (I've heard having a shaved head makes the PT runs go faster, less wind and all).

[Eagl5]

Why not invest in a nice watch? I have a suunto vector which I love. These watches are pretty tough and have many features that I would think would be valuable to officers on the road; military time optional, elevation, barometric pressure, temperature, etc....I have had it for 2+ years and plan on wearing it until the day I die.
Why not, because stuff gets stolen. Yes even at the pristin CHP Academy. Get a cheap watch, shave your head and make sure you have plenty of shoe polish, then when and if you graduate, treat yourself to a nice watch. However in my years I have never had the need to check the elevation or barometric pressure:doh:

[rayni]

We bought the watch at Target for $20 or so & clippers at Sally's. I did splurge $70 on clippers , but only because the math added up to a lot cheaper then weekly barber visits. (I also have 3 sons so imagine the savings $$$) Never a guard on the clippers & hubby cleaned his head every Sunday before heading back to academy life. Now it is so funny to see hair on that head after 27 weeks of the Mr. Clean look.:lol:

[T-Rex]

What about those of us who have been shaving their heads with the new and improved MACH 3's? Is it not allowed at the academy? I just cant see growing my hair out just to cut it with clippers...

[MKC323]

What about those of us who have been shaving their heads with the new and improved MACH 3's? Is it not allowed at the academy? I just cant see growing my hair out just to cut it with clippers...


Thats what husband ended up doing every Sunday night...after investing in clippers :doh:

[TanAndBlue]

I bought the Casio G-Shock Mudman at JC Penny's on sale for $135. It is solar, all black, has the military time option and calibrates to a satellite every night at midnight. I was kind of skeptical about the whole solar battery but it seems to be fine so far. As far as the clippers go I have two sets. I have had a shaved head for about 5 years now. I only spent about $20 on each set from Wal-Mart.

So far I have packed:

-5 white crew neck shirts
-5 pair of black socks
-5 pair of white socks
-Rocky 5066's
-Saucony "go faster" running shoes
-Nike indoor non marking court shoes
-travel iron
-shave kit, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste etc.
-3 white wash clothes
-1 white bath towel
-shoe shining supplies
-dusting supplies
-liberty shirt
-clock radio

Am I missing anything?

[Stargrl]

So far I have packed:

-5 white crew neck shirts
-5 pair of black socks
-5 pair of white socks
-Rocky 5066's
-Saucony "go faster" running shoes
-Nike indoor non marking court shoes
-travel iron
-shave kit, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste etc.
-3 white wash clothes
-1 white bath towel
-shoe shining supplies
-dusting supplies
-liberty shirt
-clock radio

Am I missing anything?

Off the top of my head, a white hand towel. That's the only one that really needs to be white. Oh yeah, and chonies :biggrin:

[Mom]

Off the top of my head, a white hand towel. That's the only one that really needs to be white. Oh yeah, and chonies :biggrin:Last class didn't have to be white undies. But it appears the prior poster wasn't going to take any anyway. That might be more noticeable than colored undies.

[TanAndBlue]

-oh yea and chonies (already packed):doh:

[spikerman19]

we need an iron?

[Stargrl]

Last class didn't have to be white undies. But it appears the prior poster wasn't going to take any anyway. That might be more noticeable than colored undies.

ahhh-ha-ha.. You got me, Mom! :lol:

[FDandH]

we need an iron?

Yep, and an ironing board, and starch.

[Mom]

Yep, and an ironing board, and starch.Need those military creases straight and stiff!

As for bringing extra "liberty" clothing, you will have your suit from pick up day. You can leave in it on Friday. No need to have anything more than absolutely necessary the first day.

Make sure you have SSN of all your beneficiaries and dependents. Bring your cell phone. (Turn it off.)

[chokolat_dream]

What about those of us who have been shaving their heads with the new and improved MACH 3's? Is it not allowed at the academy? I just cant see growing my hair out just to cut it with clippers...

Hey A question for Mom, when my cadet went in they gave us this story about cadets not being allowed to "bic" their heads with razors. Is this still true or was I just misunderstood?

[cal911gal]

I'd only take a travel iron if they have told you to bring one. There are irons and ironing boards in each dorm day room, which are provided to cadet classes by the PX fund.......

Might want some spray starch though....

[23109]

There's going to be 200+ cadets and about 6 irons in the day rooms. Bring your own if you can.

[cal911gal]

Ah hmm great point.

[Mom]

As for "bic"ing the head, my son was told to go with a "no guard". Honestly, there is so little time for personal hygiene, I think it would be hard to keep it up.

Irons. Put the iron in your packed bag, then hold the bag out at arms length for 5 minutes and decide. My son did all his ironing on weekends (and Mom doesn't iron, so no, HE did it.) When he headed back on Sunday, everything was ironed and ready to go. There were irons available in case of emergencies, but I don't think he ever had to use it. If you aren't going home on weekends, there are places near the academy open on weekends that will launder and iron military creases.

[23109]

They didn't make him have his military creases the day after he reported ? We did and our class had 90 in it and the day rooms were a zoo. I was happy I brought a traveling iron with me, heh.

[Mom]

They didn't make him have his military creases the day after he reported ? We did and our class had 90 in it and the day rooms were a zoo. I was happy I brought a traveling iron with me, heh.Honestly, I don't know. I am sure he had to have them, but not sure if maybe they arrived that way. I know he had no idea what a military crease looked like prior to arrival. And they had them when he got home Friday night from the previous week.

[Officer Rando]

They didn't make him have his military creases the day after he reported ? We did and our class had 90 in it and the day rooms were a zoo. I was happy I brought a traveling iron with me, heh.

I also had a traveling iron and board with me, but not packed in my bag the first day. I left it in the car. Those bags on pick up day, get pretty heavy if you know what I mean!?! I was able to get my stuff I didn't pack the very next night. Thank God my roommate had the stuff I didn't think of bringing!

[Eagl5]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh reading this takes me back, when all I had was a list of what to bring and common sense. Cadets, you should thank DW and the rest for this website they put together. have fun Monday...HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH:lol::lol:: lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[HWY Ranger2B]

What to bring on pick up day:

:neutral:

What to try and avoid by the end of pick up day:

:shock:

[Watercadet]

What to bring on pick up day:

:neutral:

What to try and avoid by the end of pick up day:

:shock:

10-22 the iron in your pick up bag. Leave it in your car. There are 4-5 irons in your day room (but maybe 2 USABLE ironing boards!) Wait to see who of your roommates has the best one for the room and let the cadet with the biggest locker keep it and share. On that first night, look through your uniform shirts for the one that already has noticeable creases and work with that one. FYI, bring a blue card to the day room as that usually gives you a pretty good spacing for the creases on the back of your shirt if there are not any creases to start out with. The key to this is being one of the first cadets into the day room that night ;)

Using a $14.99 set of clippers from Target, shave your grape Sunday night (the first and every Sunday night) with no guard. That will end all debates and keep you from getting giged for a "nasty haircut."

Don't wear your boots with your suit thinking it will save you space in your small duffel; just use them to stuff your socks and chonies in inside your bag. Your car will serve as your "checked luggage" until you get released out to the parking lot where you can retrieve all your long term living essentials. That may be the first week, may not.

As far as what to bring? The check list a few pages back was pretty complete. I went to Costco the week before and bought a whole pack of deodorant and 36 pack of razors (you WILL shave every morning before you leave your room - yes, even before PT). Of course your two blank checks. I brought a third and stashed it just in case. Wear a black suit just like everyone else and do what ever it takes to blend in. No facial hair, side burns, trench coats, horned rimed glasses etc..

But most of all have fun and don't quit! It is quite an experience.

[Sampa]

I am reading all this posts about hair cut for men and I do not think I will look good bald.
Women out there, help...how was your routine while in the Academy, hair, ironing, etc? I always tie my hair but with all this excitement of PT and everything I think I may need something a little more put together. My hair is long and fine, a little wind and it looks like a big mess...is it okay to use hairspray to keep it all together?
I guess there won't be any need for skin "crap" cleanser and lotions since there won't be any time for beauty...can we at least wear sunblock?

[hb10_8]

Sampa,

I am not experienced in the Academy (yet!!), but I also have long fine hair. When I'm at the gym or playing softball I use a non slipping headband with pony tail or bun in order to feel a little "more put together". When it comes to the Academy I plan to keep it simple and do the same. I've never heard anything against hairspray (again, yet), but am not a fan of the mess it makes and how it makes my hair feel. I'm also eager to hear what experienced females have to say.

[Sampa]

Hello HB, I don't like the whole hairspray mess and the way my hair feels neither but it is most likely the only way my hair is going to stay put.
Nice to have another woman to talk to!!!

[usmc3003]

Here is the bag i bought. it is a Meduim. should it be big enough and should i cover up the logo on the sides???
http://adus.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pADIDAS1-3480615_pattern_w345a.jpg (javascript:zoom_window(document.orderForm.sceneZo omImageReference.value);)

[USMC8541]

Here is the bag i bought. it is a Meduim. should it be big enough and should i cover up the logo on the sides???
http://adus.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pADIDAS1-3480615_pattern_w345a.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:zoom_window(document.orderForm.sceneZoomImageRefe rence.value);)
:shock: bad choice. FYI Staff Officers like Nike better!

[usmc3003]

:shock: bad choice. FYI Staff Officers like Nike better!
Will this work? :lol:




http://a613.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/112/l_941c63d9dddad16c3dd71a750843bb64.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhoto&albumID=32544&imageID=8617805)

[USMC8541]

:cool:A future most outstanding cadet. Good luck Devil Dog:evil:

[ValleyDivApp]

I just did a dry run and my pick-up day bag is getting heavy fast. My bag is at about 25lbs. Anyone out there weigh their bag yet? How heavy is yours?

[Mac]

Here is the bag i bought. it is a Meduim. should it be big enough and should i cover up the logo on the sides???
http://adus.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pADIDAS1-3480615_pattern_w345a.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:zoom_window(document.orderForm.sceneZoomImageRefe rence.value);)


I just did a dry run and my pick-up day bag is getting heavy fast. My bag is at about 25lbs. Anyone out there weigh their bag yet? How heavy is yours?


Unless you received explicit instructions in your reporting package as to the required dimensions, weight, brand and/or style for a bag when reporting to the Academy, select and utilize a bag that will carry all the things you're required to have and don't obsess about it any further than that. All your "trash" will be out of that bag within a very short time after your arrival and it will be a moot point.