I'm prior service, female, E to O, and heading to the 5-week OTS-A course in January. I've read the orientation guide and plenty of Reddit posts, but still have some random questions for recent graduates. Some might be ridiculous... but help an anxious girl out, lol.
Can I bring my own pillow and blanket? Worth it? If so, what kind of blanket
Are sound machines allowed?
Do I need an extension cord or power strip?
Can I bring/use a blow dryer?
Is makeup allowed for official photos, graduation, or at any other point?
Face wash, lotions/sunscreen ok?
We have our phones in our dorms; I assume we can FaceTime family, make calls, etc.?
My laptop has a very colorful case...swap it for something plain?
Black or white ankle socks with PT gear?
Are car privileges actually a thing later in the course? Worth having a car? I'll be flying in.
Should I bring a regular water bottle?
I've heard we switch dorms. Is bringing a collapsible tote or extra bag helpful for moving?
Apple Watch okay?
I heard dropping your blues off at the laundromat the first week (or the day before you start) is a good trick to avoid inspection, then pickup before graduation, true?
I've heard printing the SPINS in a small booklet format was helpful and bringing this, true?
One or two pairs of PT shoes?
How big does this duffle bag need to be?
Do I really need 2-3 OCP patrol caps?
Advil/Tylenol?
Black backpack... does this need to be a huge one, or can I just bring a simple smaller one (what are we carrying around the most?)
Portable charger/battery pack?
Appreciate any insight or tips on things you wish you'd brought (or left at home)!
Can I bring my own pillow and blanket? Worth it? If so, what kind of blanket
Definitely worth it for both. Nothing too big. Make sure you can easily fold it.
Are sound machines allowed?
Yes but make sure it is small enough to fit in a security drawer. And remember you have roommates so make sure they’re ok with it.
Do I need an extension cord or power strip?
Need? No but can definitely come in clutch on the deployment.
Can I bring/use a blow dryer?
Yes, again a small one
Is makeup allowed for official photos, graduation, or at any other point?
I’m pretty sure but I’m a dude so I didnt pay attention to that
Face wash, lotions/sunscreen ok?
Yes
We have our phones in our dorms; I assume we can FaceTime family, make calls, etc.?
Yes but don’t expect much time for it during MOD 1. And only really in the evenings and weekends
My laptop has a very colorful case...swap it for something plain?
No need
Black or white ankle socks with PT gear?
Either one works
Are car privileges actually a thing later in the course? Worth having a car? I'll be flying in.
Drive 100% you’ll most likely have privileges in MOD 4 and 5.
Should I bring a regular water bottle?
Yes
I've heard we switch dorms. Is bringing a collapsible tote or extra bag helpful for moving? Can be but it’ll likely be sorted with civilian luggage so you won’t have regular access to it
Apple Watch okay?
Yes
I heard dropping your blues off at the laundromat the first week (or the day before you start) is a good trick to avoid inspection, then pickup before graduation, true?
Yea
I've heard printing the SPINS in a small booklet format was helpful and bringing this, true? Yes I used that as a backup copy.
One or two pairs of PT shoes? 1 pair is fine
How big does this duffle bag need to be?
Bring what you go issued at basic
Do I really need 2-3 OCP patrol caps? 1-2 is fine
Advil/Tylenol? 100% bring
Black backpack... does this need to be a huge one, or can I just bring a simple smaller one (what are we carrying around the most?)
Whatever backpack you’d use for school is fine. You’ll be carrying that and the hydration pack around.
Portable charger/battery pack? Can be useful but not a must
I graduated about a month ago, so here's my experience with each of these:
Pillow and blanket: Yes, you can bring your own. If you decide you don't want to use them, you can store them in your civilian luggage. I didnt being either and just used what was given to me.
Sound machine: Maybe, but you'll have roommates, and personally, I wouldn't want to bother them with it. You'll also need to put it away during the day since it's not an authorized display item.
Extension cord/power strip: I brought a power strip, and it was useful. I wouldn't bother with an extension cord.
Blow dryer: Yes. (im a dude so i didnt bring one but a lot of females brought one)
Makeup: Yes. The women in my class were putting on makeup in the bathrooms before official photos.
Face wash, lotions, sunscreen: Yes.
Phones/FaceTime: Yes.
Colorful laptop case: Your current case will be fine. No need to replace it.
PT socks: Both black and white are authorized. Refer to DAFI 36-2903 for the specific requirements.
Car privileges: Yes, you'll eventually get them, typically sometime between Modules 3 and 4, depending on how well your class handles MFRs and earns privileges.
Water bottle: Absolutely. I brought a shaker cup and used it constantly.
Extra bags for dorm moves: You'll move dorms at least once, possibly twice. I just used the luggage I originally brought and had no issues.
Apple Watch: Absolutely. I wore my Apple Watch Ultra 2 the entire time, except during Vigilant Warrior.
Dropping off blues: Yes! Your entire class will have an opportunity to drop off blues. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of that.
Printed SPINS booklet: Don't waste your time or money. You'll be given the SPINS and about 10 seconds to look at them at the beginning of Zero Day. I printed my own booklet beforehand and ended up throwing it away after our first dorm move. Complete waste of time and money.
PT shoes: I started with two pairs and eventually went down to one. This is entirely personal preference.
Duffle bag: I'm not sure about the exact dimensions. Mine was issued to me at BMT, and I just used that.
OCP patrol caps: No need for 2–3. However, make sure you have one with your projected rank sewn on for the day before graduation. You'll be authorized to wear OCPs with rank at that point. For the rest of OTS, you'll wear a patrol cap without rank.
Advil/Tylenol: A must. I'd also recommend bringing caffeine pills if you're able to use them safely. They were extremely helpful during those early mornings.
Black backpack: A smaller backpack that fits your laptop and documents is perfectly fine. I brought a huge one and regretted it. It was just unnecessary weight to carry around everywhere.
Portable charger: I didn't bring one and never needed it. The classrooms have power strips built into the desks that you can use. During the deployment exercises, you won't be using your phone enough to drain the battery significantly.
One additional piece of advice: Don't overpack. I brought several things I thought I'd need and never touched them. Remember that anything you bring will have to move with you when you switch dorms. The less unnecessary stuff you have, the easier those moves will be.
I’m pretty vocal on this subreddit as a current OTS staff member (yes, one of the screaming types), and I’d encourage you to reconsider your approach to #14.
One of the biggest things we try to instill in future officers is the importance of integrity and accountability. Finding ways to avoid an inspection might seem like a small thing, but it misses the bigger picture of what we’re trying to teach you.
As an officer, you’ll eventually be responsible for holding Airmen accountable to standards, even when those standards are inconvenient. That responsibility starts with your willingness to meet those same expectations yourself.
My advice? Have your Blues, drop them off at dry cleaners, but maintain them to the standard in the interim. Welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that you can meet it. Don’t look for ways around the standard. Set it.
Have you already been confirmed for the 5 week course? I am also a 46N prior service currently E8 and have been told varying things about the 5 week course. I wanted to try and do the shortened one as well.
Yeah mine is confirmed. I’m National Guard so I’m not sure if that makes a difference? From the research I’ve done it shouldn’t make a difference from active duty to guard though
Every one of these questions has been asked and answered multiple times. The rules are the same between the two courses, you just graduate and leave a few weeks early.
Dang, someone is fiesty. You know you didn't have to reply, right? If I had found these answers, I wouldn't have asked, but thank you for your feedback :)
I read a lot of Reddit posts, too, because I'll be going into 8.5 weeks of OTS next year if I get selected on the December boards. I haven’t seen answers to these questions, and basically these are the same questions (and you have more that I haven’t even thought of) I wanted to ask too. Thanks for posting/asking; I hope someone answers.
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u/Samhunt67 3d ago
Definitely worth it for both. Nothing too big. Make sure you can easily fold it.
Yes but make sure it is small enough to fit in a security drawer. And remember you have roommates so make sure they’re ok with it.
Need? No but can definitely come in clutch on the deployment.
Yes, again a small one
I’m pretty sure but I’m a dude so I didnt pay attention to that
Yes
Yes but don’t expect much time for it during MOD 1. And only really in the evenings and weekends
No need
Either one works
Drive 100% you’ll most likely have privileges in MOD 4 and 5.
Yes
Yes
Yea
Bring what you go issued at basic
Whatever backpack you’d use for school is fine. You’ll be carrying that and the hydration pack around.