Forces Kit List - Help

montymud

Get the locks from the pound shop! Thats where I just got my husbands from. I have got everything off his list now for RAF training and it has come to well over £400 but I got him a brabantia ironing board for £35.00 (which is bargain by the way!) and an iron for £40 (which was also a bargain).

notatvstar

I think the kit you need depends on where you're doing your basic - Isn't Harrogate for the 'boy soldiers' still, Catterick - infantry and Pirbright more for Guardsmen and the like. Some ATR's are older and less well equipped than others, hence the different lists.

I, personally wouldn't bother with an ironing board, as an 'itchy-scratchy' blanket with a sheet over it on the floor will do - mind you I used to wash my C95 in the bath and dry it over-night in the drying room (along with all the other girls in my dorm) as the laundry had a habit of shredding kit. (... sigh, wipes tear from eye... that was many years ago).

The Army Rumour Service has specific threads for each ATR so perhaps you should have another peek at them.

SerkOne

There's some good and some not so good advice on here. Don't get coat hangers, everyone in your sections has to match for inspection and there's no chance you'll all turn up with the same ones. You will be taking to get coat hangers and other things before your inspection. You're also advanced some of your first wage to cover the costs of picking things up. Issued glasses need to be worn, no matter how much of a tit you may well look. Head torches are handy but not necessary. There will be a chance to buy a hoover down there, you'll find you chip in with the people in your room/section to get the hoover, that way you're not spending a fortune on something you don't need to carry down. Get a small air freshener for your civvie locker, just to keep things fresh. There's a huge amount on the list you're given that isn't necessary. Need any help just PM me. Oh, and I done my training in Catterick.

Fergie76

Why do you need to provide your own hoover (or chip in to buy one)? Surely the Army provides these?

If every new entry has to provide their own hoover, what happens to the old ones? There must be loads there.

spike7451

Fergie76 wrote: »

Why do you need to provide your own hoover (or chip in to buy one)? Surely the Army provides these?

If every new entry has to provide their own hoover, what happens to the old ones? There must be loads there.

OP says it's not on the list but he's going to get one anyway?...why?..Where is he going to keep it?..Heck,still had bed blocks & manual buffers when I joined up! (and beastings!:p)

SerkOne

spike7451 wrote: »

OP says it's not on the list but he's going to get one anyway?...why?..Where is he going to keep it?..Heck,still had bed blocks & manual buffers when I joined up! (and beastings!:p)

Oh trust me, you still get beastings. Only it's the PTI's that do it now!

I'm not sure what happens with the old hoovers to be honest and yeah there usually is a couple lying about. However, it's always better to have an extra one as when it comes time for inspection they're in high demand and have a tendency to jump in to other peoples rooms.

mrprosser

I work in an AFCO, PM me if you have issues.

Different regiments have minor differences about some things (like wooden coat hangers)

However

There will be vacuum cleaners provided.
A cheap mobile phone makes a great alarm clock (but put it on silent during the day, as the instructors wont appreciate beeps during drill)
Irons are provided, but they are cheap and nasty, and may scorch uniforms due to hot spots, and overuse. (I recommend the philips ones with non stick bases (it's what I use, and only cost about £25 in ASDA))
Padlocks, are available from most good hardware places, don't go over the top on price. I would recommend keyed alike padlocks and keep a set of keys at home just in case.
Headtorch, will be useful, and can be got for as little as a £5
Ironing board.... how are you planning to travel? they are unwieldy, and taking your own will mean that you don't need to queue for one of the block ones, but if you decide to buy one, get it when you arrive.

Do you need glasses? if so the MOD will either buy you yours (they look very "retro") or will refund the first £60 if you source your own, you will find out the rules when you actually get in.

Any more questions feel free to ask.

sammybo22

£60 Reimbursement will only be made for spectacles required specifically for work with Display Screen Equipment. So glasses for everyday use will have to be purchased by the individual. Unless you are happy with the supplied defence spectacles (Buddy Holly) style. However I have not seen too many people opt for those.

moonrakerz

spike7451 wrote: »

.Heck,still had bed blocks & manual buffers when I joined up! (and beastings!:p)

............and that disgusting orange polish for the lino !!!

spike7451

moonrakerz wrote: »

............and that disgusting orange polish for the lino !!!

Aye,my DI at Swinditz used to smash your bulled toecaps on the lino so you then had to get the black smudges off!....:eek:

Don't forget polishing the black grout between the red floor tiles in the ablutions with a toothbrush!:D

And worrying about if your bedblock would pass this time,which it didn't!