Official Army Basic Packing List: What Truly Fits Inside One Small Bag

Everything you need to know about Official Army Basic Packing List: What Truly Fits Inside One Small Bag, featuring critical updates.

Q1: Can I bring my own boots to Army Basic Combat Training?
A1: No. You cannot wear personal commercial boots during Basic Combat Training. You will be fitted and issued two pairs of standard-issue combat boots at the Reception Battalion clothing facility. You may only purchase alternate commercial boots (such as authorized Garmont or Belleville models) later in Advanced Individual Training (AIT), depending on local unit standard operating procedures.

Q2: Are female recruits allowed to bring makeup or personal hygiene products?
A2: Trainees cannot wear makeup at any point during basic training; leave all cosmetics at home. Female soldiers may bring an initial 30-day supply of personal feminine hygiene products (unscented tampons or pads) in original packaging, plain black or neutral hair ties, bobby pins matching hair color, and a basic sports bra lineup free of metal underwires.

Q3: What happens to my cell phone and wallet during training?
A3: Your cell phone and wallet remain your property, but cadre controls access. Phones are powered off during initial processing and locked inside a company storage bin. Depending on company performance and the training commander's policy, phones are checked out for brief calls home (typically 5 to 15 minutes) on select weekends, then returned immediately to cadre lockup.

Q4: Can I bring religious texts or devotional items?
A4: Yes. Trainees may bring a personal religious text (such as a Bible, Quran, or Torah) and small, non-obtrusive religious medallions. Medallions worn on duty must rest inside the undershirt on a standard chain matching Army Regulation 670-1 appearance standards.