Military Question: Can I have a pocket knife during tech school?

I went through Army Basic & AIT in 1972. My Recruiter told me not to bring any knives so I didn't. Day one of Basic they issue you uniforms then all your civilian property (except shaving gear and tooth brush) was packed up and sent home to momma. Couldn't even keep your civilian underwear!
 
You'll be assigned to a unit at basic training, then a different one at AIT, although it's a little different from what you'll experience after AIT.

If you value your knife, I would leave it at home, because even once in AIT, the Army is going to give you a long list of things you can't have on your person or even in your quarters, and they love making examples of people. When my wife was in AIT at Fort Sam Houston, food wasn't even allowed in rooms. Nothing but water, actually. That even applied to prior service personnel who were there for training events. However, some of the restrictions may have been unique to that base, so a recruiter probably isn't going to have a concrete answer.
 
Keep in mind the cultural differences between services. This youngster heading to the worlds finest Navy. An RDC (Drill sergeant for you Army types) buddy of mine just confirmed for me....no edged tools at Basic, period.
 
I wholeheartedly appreciate the responses and support. Thanks for the input and thank you to those who have served :thumbup:
 
In basic no. In tech school we were given leather man multitools which contained a knife on it. Of course I was also an aircraft tech so it may depend on what your job title would be. I'm not sure if they still do this but it was back in 95 for me.
 
Wait until you get to your first permanent duty station.

Then since you're military, you can get one of them Hinderer knives.

But beware, most of the knives I had when I was in the military either got lost or stolen except for one Buck knife.
 
navman said:
This youngster heading to the worlds finest Navy.
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Oddly enough, I think he said he's joining the Air Force.

On a personal note, when I was in A school down in Pensacola, we were told there were no knives allowed in the barracks. Unfortunately, I was on hold, waiting to class up, for about 6 months. During that time I was constantly perusing the Exchange here on BladeForums, drooling over knives that technically couldn't buy. Anyway, I found an awesome deal on a full titanium scaled Wharnie XM-18 and I went ahead and bought it. I kept in in my sock drawer most of the time and didn't have any issues. I also ended up buying an all black Lionsteel SR-2 and actually carried it while in my NWUs. Never got hemmed up about it, but I always steered clear of trouble in A school.

Nowadays, I hardly ever carry a knife on me at work to stay FOD-free on the flight line.
 
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When I was in basic there was not a lot of space for personal items. Everything was provided, and personal stuff was either not allowed or there was no room for it. Like I literally didn't take anything that didn't fit in my pockets or that I was worried about losing.

The required paperwork and docs. A bit of cash in small bills and coins for vending machines, incidentals or bartering. A close haircut. And a tube of Vaseline (for chafing) and some blister gels (compeed brand). If there are things you can't live without until they let you off the base those would also be a good idea. (hygiene, trimmer/razor, meds, tobacco, whatever)

Quiet is right about clearing what you need and can take with your recruiter.
 
sideways said:
A bit of cash in small bills and coins for vending machines, incidentals or bartering.
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When I was transferred to Turkey, guys who had been there told me that the pay system might take a couple of months to kick in, so bring some extra cash. I put a $50 bill in the back of my wallet.

A few months later, I was in the BX and found these nice binoculars, Asahi Pentax 7x50. I've still got them! Now, a lot of jobs on base were covered by Turkish civilians. Good guys, spoke English very well. I pulled out the $50 to pay for the binocs and the man just stared at it, then started laughing. He called the sergeant who reassured him it was a legitimate US bill.

The exchange rate was something like 10 lira to a dollar and $50 was sort of like a thousand dollar bill to one of us. He had never seen one -- our checks got cashed in $20's.
 
Yeah the not being able to get change thing is a real issue. I've made that mistake many times. Most people don't carry cash, let alone enough variety to handle exact change for a large amount. The more small notes you have the more small purchases you can make. Now I am not saying stuff your pockets with dollar bills... the guys will look at you funny, but have enough of the local currency to cover multiple small purchases with exact change.
 
navman said:
Air force? :confused: I thought he said he was joining the armed forces. :p


I kid, i kid. :D
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Just because we fight in clean clothes doesn't mean we aren't armed.

There was an exercise by the Czech border when I was in Germany. The Army set up their mobile units and spent the time slogging from one to another through the mud.

The Air Force setup included plank walkways between units.

"Work smarter, not harder." :cool:
 
Just go there with the clothes on you back and your wallet. They'll take care of ya there!

Also- Thank you for your service. You're a smarter man than I for going USAF over Army!

You ain't Cav...
 
Thanks for your service. Good luck. Many moons ago, I wanted to join the Marines right out of high school. Vision issues and a bad, life altering car accident ended that dream. Keep in touch, let us know how it goes.

Wishing you all the best!
 
if the military wanted you to have one, they would have issued it.

Best.
 
NMpops said:
I went through Army Basic & AIT in 1972. My Recruiter told me not to bring any knives so I didn't. Day one of Basic they issue you uniforms then all your civilian property (except shaving gear and tooth brush) was packed up and sent home to momma. Couldn't even keep your civilian underwear!
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This.

I joined the Navy in September of 2001. From what I cam remember through all of the sleep deprivation at one point the separated the females from the males and then we stripped completely naked. We had or were going to be fit for all of our uniforms and we put on all of the issued gear and sent home everything except one set of clothes, I imagine for if you failed out or were kicked out, etc. The reason I remember this is because my mom tells me she cried when she got my box of clothes and shoes as if I had sort of died or something. Anyway I suppose you could try to hide it, but would it really be worth it? No! As someone said they love to make examples out of people in boot camp and you don't want to be that guy.

Wait until you get to your first permanent duty station and test the waters, and ask the other guys. That would probably be the best time. I know you mentioned your training school and if I recall, during that time we were more concerned with dirt bag room mates making us fail room inspections, studying, tests, uniform inspections, PT, and trying to get in touch with your family when you had the time. I wasn't even thinking about knives at that time.

Best of luck to you.
 
Don't bring one. Barracks thieves will likely run off with it even if you are allowed to. It usually varies from tech school to tech school what you can have. In medic training I was allowed to, but not until week 5.
 
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