My son is going to Iraq in a couple months. I want to know what kind of things do the troops need over there that the Army does not provide? I have heard DVDs, wipes, stamps, paper, candy.
That's a good start. There are plenty of organisations that collect and distribute items donated for troops. Check out your local VFW and American Legion. Things you want to go to your son, send direct to him. Check back here often, and some of the recent Iraq vets will pop in and give you some ideas.
Candy candy candy. Not because they cant get it there, but because it saves them money. Hometown newspapers do wonders. I had a buddy from my hometown whos mom sent him the local paper. I borrowed it whenever I could. Just about ever Soldier who is over there has a laptop so DVDs are always great. Oh and vaseline.
Thanks- I am assume the other items are right on the money. I also assume that some of this can be answered by my son, but right now he does not have any answers- he is still in AIT. I want to send enough over for not only my son, but others. I heard that some of the phone cards are better than others. Any opinion?
I would recommend the following: Beef Jerky. His favorite hot sauce. Magazines, CDs and DVDs. If he likes to read, send him some of his favorite books (paperback only); the Army has books, but the selection is a bit more like the supermarket than a Barnes & Noble. Soft toilet paper. Drink mix. If he is into bodybuilding, sending him protein and other supplements will save him alot of money. Generally focus on non-perishable comfort items that don't take up alot of space. If you want to get a box ready ahead of time, that's good, but hold off on sending it until your son is settled in downrange and has a firm address. He'll also have a better idea of stuff he might need. Generally, anything that you send someone that he doesn't want gets put in a communal pile and picked through as needed, so don't worry about that (someone will need it if your son doesn't).
As for phone cards, when I was last over you could only use the ones sold at the PX; this has since changed. I've heard the Walmart ones are pretty good, and not too expensive.
The sand sucks but its not as hellacious as some people would have you believe. Just get a good laptop case and its fine. If you really want to set him up to succeed get him a thumb drive with 4 gigs or so on it so he can easily trade porn.
Anything to make the bottled water not taste like bottled water... Propel packets/gatorade powder, etc.
Hard candy, beef jerky, their favorite chewing tobacco (thank God for my dad... he would sneek my care pack to work and load the good stuff so mom wouldn't get pissed).
Stuff they can share with their buds... and maybe a little something for their friend that they mention... I used to give up about half of my stuff (minus my chew) to a guy that never got stuff...
One gallon ziplock freezer bags are thick and will hold most laptop computers, also great for pogey bait, extra socks and tshirts, magazines... what ever you want to keep dust-free.
Originally posted by runfuret: The sand sucks but its not as hellacious as some people would have you believe. Just get a good laptop case and its fine. If you really want to set him up to succeed get him a thumb drive with 4 gigs or so on it so he can easily trade porn.
Well they might never get to him. They open the mail over there and take contraband. Its much easier just to put it on a thumb drive that is easily concealed.
I sent my son phone cards during basic - the walmart ones were great, but that was for US only. I know they have international ones. Do your own personal cell phones work over there or is it a matter of roaming charges. He has a phone that can be used internationally, but I think with the roaming charges the bills would be outrageous or does the Army restrict use of your personal mobile phones. Does the Army restrict the use of your personal laptop to send emails back to the "World".
I have heard different accounts of the cell phone issue. In my own case my unit banned Soldiers from using any kind of cell phones. There were various reasons for doing that that I wont talk about on this medium. But on the other hand other Soldiers have said they could use cell phones all they wanted. So Im not sure on that one. As for laptops there are virtually no restrictions. The Army blocks some social networking sites and applications like instant messengers for various reasons. But this is easily circumventedif you frequent a haji internet cafe or have haji set up internet in your barracks. That way the Army doesnt have to know about it. As for the emails themselves there is no censorship at all.
Thank you for all the information. I do intend to start collecting. My son does chew to my chagrin, but he is his own man. All of you are in my prayers and I want you safe and sound like every one does. It takes courage to do what you all do. Love and honor, From a soldier's mom
Wally World sells packets of flavor stuff for water. The ones I've had so far taste great. Our local store sells it for $1.88 for a box of 10 packets, the brand name is Great Value.
I am taking notes on all this stuff. On the news the troops are drinking water out of commercial looking water bottles. When I was traveling in India in the 70's, I used a leather bag with local water with iodine tables that my soon to be husband gave me - he was in the Army at the time. He gave me these purification tables that really were god-awful tasting, but it helped me not get the runs. Are there some flavors better than others?
The Apple tastes like real Apple juice. The Lemonade, Cranberry Apple and Grape juices are all good. My Wife really likes the Rasberry Ice and Peach Ice Tea. The Fruit Punch is a little too sweet for my taste. Just tear it open and dump in a bottle of water. I haven't had a Coke/Pepsi since we started drinking these about six months ago.
