Forces Kit List - Help

Hi All,

I'm joining the Forces in a couple of months and have been given a rather comprehensive kit list...

The whole lot will quite easily cost between £200 and £250 (maybe £300 if I bought decent stuff!).

So, I'm wondering if all you MSEs could help me find some bargains?

A portable vaccum (this is not on the list, but I think will help me).
Iron (Good quality steam iron)
Ironing Board
50mm 6 Padlocks (with a hasp of at least 5mm).
Battery operated Alarm Clock
Head Torch (Basic LED variety)

I've also noticed that Tesco now do prescription glasses from £15. Has anyone had any experience of these? The reason I ask is because I want to buy a cheap pair for when I'm running/rolling around and won't mind if they get damaged.

There are many, many more things on the kit list such as pressing cloths, Kiwi boot polish, brasso, sealable food bags (different sizes) etc, etc... but I think these things are set prices - I doubt I could find them cheaper (but if anyone wants to to see more from the list, I'd be happy to post!

Thanks for any help :)
Amnesia
«134

Comments

  • ICATQ
    ICATQ Posts: 664 Forumite
    You can get alot of stuff in sales or pound shops.

    WH Smiths do cheapy glasses £7.50. You should get a pair of defence specs when you join, they are robust and issued so if you break them in training you should get new ones.
  • spike7451
    spike7451 Posts: 6,944 Forumite
    Have a read of this thread here,all the info you need.

    http://www.arrse.co.uk/regular-soldier-recruitment/97880-my-list-basic.html

    And good luck on your training!!
  • atnoble32
    atnoble32 Posts: 28 Forumite
    You sure about an ironing board, as they provide those and wouldn't bother with a hoover, and don't see the point of the alarm clock as they have ways of ensuring you are wide awake!

    Remember if you buy anything fancy, it will get nicked!
  • moonrakerz
    moonrakerz Posts: 8,650 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Amnesia180 wrote: »
    Hi All,

    I'm joining the Forces in a couple of months and have been given a rather comprehensive kit list...

    The whole lot will quite easily cost between £200 and £250 (maybe £300 if I bought decent stuff!).

    So, I'm wondering if all you MSEs could help me find some bargains?

    A portable vaccum (this is not on the list, but I think will help me).
    Iron (Good quality steam iron)
    Ironing Board
    50mm 6 Padlocks (with a hasp of at least 5mm).
    Battery operated Alarm Clock
    Head Torch (Basic LED variety)

    B****y hell ! do you have to buy a rifle too ?? :D
  • Little*Miss
    Little*Miss Posts: 199 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Hello,

    Good luck with your training it will be tough but worth it! :D

    My OH is in the army, he would say buy your own ironing board, iron, vacuum things like that, as when inspection comes round they all disappear! OH has got a pink vacuum on purpose so the lads don't nick it!:p

    I can recommend a good iron on sale atm a Phillips Azur GC4413 Steam Iron was £76.99 now £29.99 OH uses this on his kit says its the best iron he's ever used. We now have two one for me and one for him on base.:D
    Argos code 410/2069.

    Good luck!!!:D
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  • gt568
    gt568 Posts: 2,535 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    ICATQ wrote: »
    You should get a pair of defence specs when you join, they are robust and issued so if you break them in training you should get new ones.

    You will also look like a w@nker....
    {Signature removed by Forum Team}
  • angeleyesxx
    angeleyesxx Posts: 20 Forumite
    Good luck with the training and remember "the others will nick anything and everything they can" so don't spend alot on your stuff and especially ya mobile!!!

    Also make sure that you get decent locks for the lockers etc as you will need to keep these locked 247.
  • relic
    relic Posts: 2,153 Forumite
    Good luck with the training and remember "the others will nick anything and everything they can" so don't spend alot on your stuff and especially ya mobile!!!

    Also make sure that you get decent locks for the lockers etc as you will need to keep these locked 247.

    Don't agree with this at all.

    Fair enough get a decent lock, but saying they will steal anything and everything including mobile phones is ridiculous.. i've never met anyone who would even contemplate doing that.
    Per Mare Per Terram
  • Marker_2
    Marker_2 Posts: 3,260 Forumite
    You can pick up cheap stuff on your list from places like tesco and wilkys. Hubby bought good suit hangers from wilky that he still uses now. Wouldnt bother with a hoover or ironing board. Any old iron will do as well, its how you iron it that matters ... :D

    Good Luck
    99.9% of my posts include sarcasm!
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  • barnabee
    barnabee Posts: 1,210 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Be aware that individual career offices give out completely different kit lists. When recruits arrive at their training depot they all have stuff that is not required.

    For example, one career office kit list states a recruit has to bring 30 wooden coat hangers. Another career office will advise 10.

    All of the training camps I know do not want every recruit to bring an ironing board - infact ironing boards are either supplied or come built in to the walls in the block.

    It is about time someone in the UK banged the heads together of the area careers officers to stop such a stupid waste of money.

    I suggest that if your kit list is supplied by a careers office then contact the training depot direct and ask them to email or post you the correct one. It could save you a fortune and prevent you struggling with heavy luggage.
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