A 30-day TDY packs like a long trip. A 180-day course packs like a move — except you have to carry it, and half of it is already waiting in a furnished house. This is the list our guests and our own crew converge on, split by what you bring and what a crashpad has.
Paperwork (the part that actually goes wrong)
- Orders, printed and on your phone; any amendments.
- Non-availability number if on-base lodging was full (how to get it).
- Government travel card, personal card, and the knowledge of which is which.
- A folder — physical or cloud — for receipts. Itemized lodging receipts, rental car, anything reimbursable.
- Medical: prescriptions for the full length plus a refill plan; TRICARE region info if you're crossing East/West.
- Vehicle registration and proof of insurance for the gate.
Uniforms and flight gear
- Two full sets of the duty uniform you'll wear daily, one set of the other. Blues if there's any chance of a ceremony.
- Boots broken in. Shower shoes. PT gear for every day of the week you'll actually use it — be honest.
- Aircrew: your own gear bag, helmet, and the things life support can't loan you at the TDY base.
- Patches, morale gear, and coins. You'll want them.
Work and study
- Laptop, chargers, the good headphones. A second monitor is worth it for a course longer than 60 days.
- CAC reader. Nobody has a spare.
- Notebook and the study aids your pipeline uses; a small whiteboard for chair-flying.
Personal
- Clothes for ten days; you have a washer. Include one nice outfit.
- Toiletries in full-size — you're here long enough.
- Your pillow. The single most-cited comfort item in our guest book.
- Whatever you do to decompress: running shoes, bike, guitar, golf clubs, the fishing rod.
- A basic tool kit and a power strip.
What you can leave at home (a crashpad already has it)
Every Base Crashpads property ships with the full kit, so skip:
- Bedding, towels, and pillows (bring your own pillow anyway).
- Pots, pans, knives, plates, coffee maker, and the rest of the kitchen.
- Laundry detergent and cleaning supplies — weekly cleaning is included.
- WiFi router, TV, desk, and desk chair.
- Iron and ironing board, vacuum, hangers.
- Lawn equipment — landscaping is handled.
Before you drive out
- Run your dates through the per diem calculator so you know the lodging cap and M&IE before the first night.
- Confirm check-in time and gate-access instructions with your lodging.
- Pull the base guide for gate hours, the lodging phone number, and where to get groceries the first night.
Print this, cross off what you don't need, and you'll arrive lighter than the person in the next room — who packed a coffee maker.