What to bring to SOI?

[DarrinC]

So I'm checking into SOI on Tuesday and I wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions for this new Marine and things to bring. I don't mean the normal common sense things, i mean things you wish someone told you about.

Thanks
Claude

[Messenger]

Its been about twenty years but I doubt much has changed except the name (it use to be called ITS instead of SOI). SOI has both a fairly well stoked PX and at least when I was there they also had a small building we called the snack-shack were you could go and get pizza, hamburgers, corndogs etcetera.

We had the occasional weekend off so we were allowed to leave base and go to malls and such. Other then your issue, I can’t think of anything that you should bring that you cant get while you’re there.
I do recall they didn’t allow you to bring personal vehicles at that time.

Simper FI :flag:

[davblay]

Take everything you have been issued! Anything else is subject to be misplaced! DO NOT take anything extra except maybe a MP3 or something like that, but even then it's up to your troop handlers. I would wait, as the other Marine pointed out, there is a PX, and such, close by so you can buy things you WANT!

Semper Fi

Dave

[249gunner]

You wont be able to keep your poly pros on during the day, but its a good idea to bring a heavy weight balaclava. 80% of your body's warmth escapes off your head. I would've paid a $100 bucks for one in the field. Dont loose your issued cold weather gear.
Stock up on snacks on the weekends.
MP3 player is a great luxury, motivation is precious in the field.

[Brewer0311]

Some kind of backpack. If you have a PSP or Nintendo DS bring it along. Keep your stuff locked up becuase there are thieves around. Cell phone but don't use it unless they tell you to. Computer or personal DVD player with some DVDs. All depends on what you like to do with your spare time. DO NOT bring any of your MOTTO T's. And get a high reg instead of that screamer. Driving down Marine Blvd looking at the SOI Marines with their Digi back packs OOH-RAH T's and screaming high and tights is a freaking target for everyone. Some fleet Marines like to mess with you guys and then there are some of the civilians in the area that like to rob SOI guys and what not. If anyone in the fleet ever tells you that you have to have a high and tight becuase you haven't deployed tell them to screw off. There is no Marine Corps order stating you have to have a specific haircut. But if you want one them keep it. It's your right to choose. Don't call your instructors Sir. They are Cpls, Sgts, SSgts, and a 1st Sgt. Anything that is shiny is always Sir obviously. Let me know if you go to SOI East and get into Bravo Co. One of my old instructors and now my neighbor is still there. I can give you some advice about the likes and dislikes of most of the instructors that are still there. Don't blow every check at the strip clubs. If your have a girlfriend/wife then she can come visit you on a lot of weekends. If that'll be the case I can give you some advice on which hotels are more acceptable for the ladies. And if she has friends then all your new made friends will want to come along with you. If you and your friends are trying to go around somewhere in town leave your bags in the rooms. The mall is really crowded and 100 backpacks make it worse. Same with every resturant or the movie theater. If taking a cab then always have at least 3 buddies with you. They're expensive. http://www.ci.jacksonville.nc.us/opencms/export/download/CommonDownloads/Bus_Schedule_loop2.pdf

That's a link to the Jacksonville transit which is much cheaper than a cab. You can get a ride to the Piggly Wiggly right off Camp Geiger/New River and then ride for $1.50 to somewhere else. You can Mapquest around with the different addresses to see where these go. It'll take a little longer but it usually isn't crowded (It's kind of new).

Wow I'm rambling on now. Just ask questions in this forum or personal message me if you'd like to know anything else.

[Phantom Blooper]

then there are some of the civilians in the area that like to rob SOI guys and what not

Brewer, all your advice except this is good to go since it has been years since I went through ITR at Geiger. However check your stats and facts. It is not only civilians in ANY military town that target Marines or servicemen.

Stereotyping the civilian is wrong...read the blotter....statistically the crime ratio is equal. Been in Onslow County almost 30 years and the crime rate for that type of crime has dropped dramatically. :evilgrin:

[Brewer0311]

Brewer, all your advice except this is good to go since it has been years since I went through ITR at Geiger. However check your stats and facts. It is not only civilians in ANY military town that target Marines or servicemen.

Stereotyping the civilian is wrong...read the blotter....statistically the crime ratio is equal. Been in Onslow County almost 30 years and the crime rate for that type of crime has dropped dramatically. :evilgrin:

My mistake on that. I probably should have said Marines and civilians. Especially considering the fact that there are Marines in gangs, trying to be in gangs, or acting like they are commiting crimes also. Like the incident outside the mall last year when the carnival was there. I'm usually pretty good about catching myself saying stupid things and this was a time when I didn't. But crime has definately dropped in a the past few years a lot. I also had a friend get mugged by a few civilians outside of a strip club about two years ago. The "bait" was crouched over a car acting like he was crying. My friend with his two buddies went to check on him. As soon as they got close a few of the "bait"'s friends came from around the corner and started beating them up. Only one of them lost any money (Assuming this becuase they probably spent it all inside). But you can be in the best city in the world and there will always be an incident there that will make a person's view change of the area.

The best thing to say would have been, "Be warned not all Marines and civilians are happy you are there and could/will take advantage of you given the opprotunity". Hope that gives the proper advice without making a paticular group look better or worse.

[LeonardLawrence]

So I'm checking into SOI on Tuesday and I wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions for this new Marine and things to bring. I don't mean the normal common sense things, i mean things you wish someone told you about.

Thanks
Claude

Have fun, "enjoy" your training even if you don't (Faking it goes along way!), no one really likes sleeping in mud when it is cold and raining, but if you tell yourself you do...it is easier to "weather".

If you drop your food in the mud, wipe it off before you eat it. ;)

Enjoy the town, but have a plan to save some money. :cool:

[sparkie]

Never go into the ville, just learn to make payday loans at 200%. LOL

[Brewer0311]

And charge $50 an hour for firewatch during the weekends and $20 on regular nights. lol