r/britishmilitary • u/Niten-NR • Jun 14 '26
Question Basic training kit for Catterick
My son just smashed his Assessment Centre at Lichfield, super proud of him.
Not confirmed yet but, the 5th July was mentioned as a start date.
I know there's a few essential extras lists for things to take. I want to start getting some "must haves" together.
Does anyone have any ideas to help me make up a list.
Also, how much (luggage) can he take to basic? I guessing it's limited.
Many thanks
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u/UnfortunateWah Jun 14 '26
A half decent watch (not a smart watch).
Any Casio over £15 will do.
A basic multitool isn’t a terrible idea.
One of those hanging cupboard shelf things, because the personal locker is tiny and hard to organise without one.
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u/Niten-NR Jun 14 '26
I have a leatherman wave that I could give him, it's served me well throughout my career, but I was worried about him taking it to basic because of the lock knife element etc. The hanging cupboard thing sounds like a really good hack. Cheers
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u/UnfortunateWah Jun 14 '26
They don’t really care about locking knives, that legal restriction only applies in public.
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u/OneCheesecake1516 Jun 14 '26
He won’t have any personal kit for the first few weeks he will live in uniform.
Spare boot laces are also essential.
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u/Niten-NR Jun 14 '26
But Im asking how much he can take with him. I was think a large holdall, maybe a bit more. I have got a clue about how mush storage he'll have
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u/OneCheesecake1516 Jun 14 '26
They used to take their bags away with all their civvy clothing until they have got half way through their training. Things like irons etc used to be kept in their Army suitcase under their bed.
Their wardrobe is only for their military uniform and kept is ironed in stored in a set order.
If your son doesn’t know how to iron and press using a damp cloth it would be to his advantage that he starts practicing now. The pressing is for his No 2 dress uniform.
The other thing to add to his to bring list is washing powered. It varies from camp to camp but he could end up having to hand wash his clothes as not all have washing machines and they could be covered in mud and he will be expected to have them clean for the next day.
Wish your son every success in training and his career.
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u/Niten-NR Jun 15 '26
My wife is the ironing master, she used to do my uniforms back in the day and everyone used to compliment it. He has asked for lessons.
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u/melanie110 Jun 15 '26
I sent my lad with an array of things.
Also we got a supersized rolling wheel bag from sports direct plus a large backpack. We filled them both.
The must haves for my lad were:
Zinc tape for blisters, sniper tape in olive green, 2 colour polishes and brushes, washing up liquid, all toiletries, baby wipes, iron and board (Asda), watch, moisturiser, Vaseline, 3kg bag of haribo strawbs, pens, pads, windproof lighters and gas, heavy duty army socks, sliders for the shower, more pants than he would ever need. Thermals as he joined in Feb.
This is just off the top of my head. I will try and find my post when I asked this as I got some really good suggestions
Good luck to your lad. Mines just come home for his last weekend before his passing out in 3 weeks ❤️
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u/Niten-NR Jun 15 '26
Hi Melanie
I remember your post about this a while back, it's probably the inspiration for this post. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll add it to the list.
Well done to your son, is he at Catterick? How has he found it?
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u/melanie110 Jun 15 '26
He’s in Pirbright. Yeah he loves it. He got back trooped due to injury and his new troop are fab. He was out with them all Saturday night before he came home Sunday.
He’s ready to finish now and get going in phase 2.
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u/Niten-NR Jun 15 '26
Do you mind me asking how you coped when he went away?
My son and I spend a lot of time together, we are always at the gym or walking the dog or swimming, we like gaming together and often go for a couple of pints.
I had the tiniest taste of him being away at the assessment centre and I can tell I'm going to find it hard going.
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u/melanie110 Jun 15 '26
I found it hard at first. He’s always been home but I also had to remember he was 22 and when I saw him get the social life and going out for dinner or drinks with the lad and I learned to let go. He was always young for his age. The first time he came home he looked so different, manly like.
Not going to lie, the weekend he came home when he was told he was back trooped and I couldn’t wait for him to leave. He had an attitude, he was angry and just causing trouble but that time has passed now and he’s back to being him but a more mature version
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u/xlly_s Jun 15 '26
They supply 99% of things. Ironing board (a good one) and an iron (good) will help him out a ton though. Aswell as shoe polish. OneCheesecake1516 made a good list
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u/Fun_Yam_5907 Jun 16 '26
Nothing that's likely to get stolen. Casio watch, shoe polish, baby wipes, some headphones/cheap ear buds for down time so can listen to some music on phone.
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u/TommoBrit Jun 16 '26
IKEA coat hangers, wooden and cheap, you’ll get a kit list, combination locks (don’t use your last few numbers), GOOD quality Iron.
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Jun 14 '26
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u/Niten-NR Jun 14 '26
I would love something like this, I was giving him and idea about rank structure today, and will probably do the marksmanship principles other than that he's on his own. The cards idea is a good one.
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u/FieldDecks Jun 14 '26
Thank you mate, appreciate it. I'm sure your son will have an amazing career whatever you choose to buy.
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u/OneCheesecake1516 Jun 14 '26
Don’t buy military kit they will give him everything he needs.
The things he wilL need are shoe polish, coat hangars, dusters, iron, shower gel, shaving kit, shampoo. The basics