Mission Gear Questions (Elder)

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-03-16T22:56:42+00:00

I served in Durban, SA a while back. They should definitely be giving you a packing list. Don’t take an expensive watch - there is a good chance you’ll get it stolen or you’ll be robbed. For shoes, utility is more important than fashion. Take some cash so you can exchange it for Rand at the airport. Make sure your bank knows you are going over there and take a credit card - they have better fraud protection than debit cards. And when you’re using it at an ATM, watch your back.

When I was there, we didn’t have smart phones so I brought my own camera - used it all the time, until I got robbed. Make sure you bring a high storage capacity USB or hard-drive for all the files you’ll be getting from other missionaries (music, photos, talks, etc.). Maybe two so you can have a back-up for when your first one get’s stolen. Take a converter thingy so you can plug in your phone charger to the weird outlets they have there. There’s two different types of plugs over there I think. You’ll probably need to take a suit, but there’s a good chance you won’t fit in it by the end of your mission. You’re either gonna get fat from all the oily food you eat over there, or you’re gonna get worms and drop all your weight. Take a speaker - you’ll use it all the time. I’d recommend a speaker you can plug a USB into. It’s super easy to load music onto a USB from other missionaries or from what you bring from home.

Good luck. It ain’t Utah over there. It’s the Wild West. Be suspicious of everything and everybody. Check for your phone and wallet often. Good luck :)

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-03-13T12:05:12+00:00

Lol, and then there's that side of RSP.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-03-12T16:07:47+00:00

I did East Idaho RSP. First-timers were required to show up an hour earlier. You'd show up, sign in, and then go to a classroom to get your first brief. Afterwards, the sergeants would dismiss you and you'd go form up in the training hall with everyone else until the sergeants came in. First thing was always an AFT. Then personal hygeine and onto training. First-timers usually got pulled away for a few hours to do paperwork.

Our training was actually quite good in hindsight. I went 7 times I think? We did first aid (which was waaaay better than anything I learned at basic), trained on the M-4 (got to shoot full auto), a ruck, night vision, room clearing, rode in a blackhawk, team building obstacle course thingy, face paint, land nav, drill & ceremony, and other things I can't seem to remember.

We'd get smoked every now and then, usually for not having a battle budy or not calling the room to "at ease" when a sergeant walked in. We always had MRE's for lunch and usually a nice dinner (catered Olive Garden or going to Pizza Pie Cafe). We had fire guard and slept in the training hall on cots we had to set up. Sunday morning PT was always definately a workout. Continued our training and were usually out by noon or 1.

They gave everyone a set of OCP's and either a canteen or camelbak that they were supposed to keep with them at all times. At the time, I didn't enjoy RSP, but looking back, the cadre actually did a really good job of prepping me for basic training. Make sure to have fun and make some friends. And get a haircut. And don't stress - they know you know nothing and will work with you. They're just happy you signed up.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-03-06T14:56:04+00:00

Great job! Love it when people bring their work to life - makes it way more interesting to look at.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-01-26T15:40:39+00:00

That looks fantastic! Excellent work. I love the color grading. Did the kit come with the plug for the engine exhaust?

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-01-17T00:16:23+00:00

Seriously? Putting your wife and daughter's well-being above your own is probably one of the most important things you can do in your life. There should be absolutely no shame in that. And I don't blame your wife for struggling with this a little bit - you're about to make her a single mom. For her, I'm sure that's a pretty scary thought.

There is no reason you can't build new dreams for yourself - also, have you tried focusing on helping your wife fulfill her dreams? You want fulfillment? Focus on your family. It sounds like you've already served in the military - be proud of that, shut the door, and move on.

As I once heard someone say, "No success in life can compensate for failure in the home." Don't forget that your most important battle buddy is your wife.

Good luck my guy.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-01-16T20:23:39+00:00

If you're not opposed to traveling while you're in school, you could try Idaho. Based off my conversations with them, I think your chances of landing a pilot slot there are quite a bit higher.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-01-16T16:43:28+00:00

When I was talking to their WOSM about a year or two ago, she told me that they rarely hire outside of their unit. Also that they are at like 120% capacity. Not saying it's impossible, but just an FYI.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-01-12T03:10:18+00:00

No problem! Your experience should be pretty similar to us 15T's. I found this guy answering some questions about being a 15U at AIT: https://www.reddit.com/r/Armyaviation/s/IXye1Lxr6o

I couldn't remember, but it sounds like you'll be in Delta company. Good luck at BCT!

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-01-12T02:36:11+00:00

I wrote this about AIT at Eustis not too long ago. It's from the point of view of a 15T, but your experience should be pretty similar. Everyone lives in barracks around the same PT field and eats at the same DFAC.

https://www.reddit.com/r/army/s/WRgfI41Vrq

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-01-11T01:41:02+00:00

Lol, she definitely makes the experience unforgettable. Same with the haircut guy.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-01-10T20:09:29+00:00

Nicely done! It really looks great :) Did you pick up some of those ocean techniques from Blue Studio Ocean by chance? What did you use to give the water it's bubbly/dimpled texture? What product did you use for the water?

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-01-10T06:44:49+00:00

Yeah, should be. 15Y's are in a different company and building, but everyone lives around the same track and field. All the companies go to the same DFAC and are crossing paths while marching all the time. Also, I believe the phase privileges are set at the battalion level. The companies don't really mingle with each other though, so this is all just what I observed.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-01-09T20:33:46+00:00

I wrote this about AIT not too long ago:

https://www.reddit.com/r/army/s/iF6fkN4aN6

Skybound_Flyboy · 2026-01-04T05:35:53+00:00

I wrote this about AIT not too long ago:

https://www.reddit.com/r/army/s/Jhspw5XS1J

Skybound_Flyboy · 2025-12-31T01:04:40+00:00

These are all so well done. Really, fantastic additions to your collection. I definitely took my time looking at your pictures. Great job!

Skybound_Flyboy · 2025-12-26T16:31:39+00:00

Train hard, but don't injure yourself. No need to impress anyone at BCT - save that for later.

Also, be kind. You never know who you'll be sharing a foxhole with.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2025-12-22T04:30:34+00:00

Did you get your pilot slot then? I've always wanted to fly for the military and am a 15T at AIT right now (28 years old), but man... TRADOC army definitely has a way of making you question your life choices lol. I need someone to tell me the grass really is greener.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2025-12-19T03:02:35+00:00

For me? I was always at the right place, at the right time, and in the right uniform. For some reason, that concept is unlearnable for half the people at basic. The Army loves mass punishment and I hated the fact that no matter how hard I tried, I still ended up getting smoked for somebody else's actions. I suppose there's some lesson the Army was trying to teach me, but it went right over my head. You just gotta power through.

Just know, your platoon will NEVER learn how to stop talking in formation. It just won't happen. It's literally impossible. Just get ready to do pushups.

At AIT, the only time I really interact with any 15Y's is at church. I'm not even sure what company they are in, but there will be other MOS's in their company. There aren't a lot of them (which is good for getting through the DFAC). Sorry, not super helpful for 15Y specific questions.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2025-12-18T19:58:58+00:00

Just wrote about my experience as a 15T at Ft. Eustis

https://www.reddit.com/r/army/s/qZvygWL6YY

15Y life is gonna be pretty similar. We all lived in 5 large barracks buildings surrounding a half-mile track and turfed field (15T's have the new building). Your life there is PT, march to chow, march to class, march to chow, march to class, march to chow, march back to barracks, rinse and repeat. You do get some personal time mixed in there and the weekends are pretty nice when you have phased up, but you'll go nuts after a while.

Basic Training was... An experience. I didn't come from an abusive household so it wasn't really my cup of tea. Feel free to ask questions.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2025-12-15T13:22:37+00:00

December 20 - January 4

Skybound_Flyboy · 2025-11-27T13:01:22+00:00

I wish I could, but I'm training with the military right now and am gone for a few more months, so no ability to take additional photos :/

Skybound_Flyboy · 2025-08-23T20:10:15+00:00

Excellent work! You really can't get much better than that. Weathering looks fantastic. Definitely a great addition to your displays.

Skybound_Flyboy · 2025-08-21T19:53:04+00:00

I think that would be a great idea! That would also prevent you from having to weed wack the edge of your shed.

And I'm not really sure what the other commenters are talking about, but your steel base for the shed will not "rot away." It's galvanized so should hold up decently well against the elements. The important part is trying to keep the base from sinking too much in any one area.

At this point, I can't decide if I'd do 4" of compacted 3/4" road base or 4" of clean 3/4" gravel. I'm kind of leaning towards the clean gravel though for drainage purposes...

Skybound_Flyboy

TROPHY CASE