I recently finished BMQ and can only speak from my own personal experiences.
Every platoon is different, so your experiences may be different.
For the first 5 weeks your not allowed to go to the CANEX, so if you think you'll NEED something, and it's not an issued item... You should bring it.
It's very important to remember, that space is EXTREMELY limited. You'll have a very full kit bag under your bed, and a small clear plastic container in your locker. If you're going to sore a personal luxury item, it will need to fit into a small space.
- Find a good pair of runners. I bought a pair of NB Minimus and found them very good for both indoor and outdoor.
- Bring an average size towel and face cloth. These will be stored away after week 1 and space is limited.
- Bring a comfortable set of PT clothes. - You'll not use it after the 1st week, but later on in the course, I wore mine in the evenings when cleaning.
- Bring some extra pens (BLUE INK) and if you're like me, and like things in order, a binder or some sort of organizer. You'll be spending a lot of time in class.
- Bring a backpack. You wont use it until after week 5, but if you're going away for the day/weekend, it's easier than a big suitcase.
- Bring a GOOD IRON. The one for sale at CANEX is garbage. I bought one from WalMart for $50, it quickly became the section iron.
- I brought Magic Erasers and Swiffer cloths with me to BMQ, I used them both, but the Magic Erasers were the better investment.
- Bring yourself a simple and inexpensive medic kit. (Bandages, Advil, cold medicine day/night, medical tape, tissue/gauze, and throat lozenges.)
**NOTE** You will have access to the MIR, and First Aid Kits, but I found it easier to have my own.
- Bring enough razor blades for 5 weeks. Sounds simple, but you WILL shave every day. By week 4/5, a lot of guys ran out.
I'm sure that I've given items that others didn't want or need, but these are my recommendations.
The hardest part is the first 5 weeks when your stuck without access to the CANEX or off base. If you've forgotten anything, it will need to be mailed to you.
My first weekend out, I spent $100 at Shoppers getting various cleaning, medical, and personal hygiene supplies.
Good Luck!