Quesiton for service members who served in A-stan and Iraq

[NamelessStain]

If this is in the wrong forum, please move.

Background:
A coworker recently had 2 of her sons deployed to A-stan. She was talking about care packages and baking some cookies for them. I said something to the effect of "well I can throw some items together they might like". She knows I'm a prepper. So she smiled and thanked me. I don't want to let her down. One son is Army, other is Marine.

So what I need to know is what kind of items do you look back in hindsight and say "Man, this would have been awesome to have 'over there'"? I know a plane ride and a six pack of beer would be nice, but I'm looking for real suggestions. Something that wouldn't take up much space in a ruck or they wouldn't mind loaning out to platoon mates when they are on a patrol.

Thanks in advance everyone.

[Country Boy]

All depends on where they're based. If its a major installation, they have just about everything. If they're on a small outpost that only gets resupplied by helicopter, send things like baby wipes/hygiene items, food/snacks (bubble wrap and in air tight plastic container, then boxed up!!!) if they like music and some new CD's come out that they might like send them, DVDs, even the $5 ones at Walmart are good. One of the things I liked getting was pictures of home/places I frequented. Especially when the seasons changed. Im from northeast Ohio, so seing pictures of snow was comforting when it was 60 degrees in December in Iraq. And for Xmas I had a picture of my fams xmas tree lit up in our living room. Thats was really nice.

And if your significant other is over there, send a pillow case sprayed down with the perfume you most frequently wear, so it can smell like your there with them.

[mmaiolo81]

agreed on wipes... That has been the most asked for thing I remember...

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[Terminus est]

Lemonade, gatorade powder or such drinking straight water gets old after a while.
Books for the inevitable time spent doing nothing waiting.
Batteries.
Handwarmers
snacks like cliffbars etc.

[omega_man]

Hard question these days. On my last deployment, you could buy just about anything you wanted/needed (refrigerators, x-box, ice cream). My first deployment was brutal--so care packages were a godsend. Big items: Socks, easy mac, baby wipes, batteries. Find out if they have any specific gear requests especially molle pouches for smoke grenades, flashbangs, 40mm, GPS (stuff you have to carry but don't issue a way to carry to it).

[Black Optimus]

After two deployents to Iraq and a pending one to Afghanistan I can say that the basics work well:

1. Wet wipes
2. Toothpaste
3. Nerf pistols
4. Jerky
5. Magazines
6. Assorted snack foods
7. Assorted candies
8. Batteries
9. Toiletry items

[EChryst]

PMAGs would be helpful. Mechanix gloves. Chapstick. Toilet Wipes. Also packets of drink they can make in waterbottles. Crystal light packets are what I preferred.

[omega_man]

You know, I think Doc Torr is deployed right now; he would have the best insight on the current state of wants and needs.

[charlie rain]

We would always have a crowd of kids around us when we went out on patrol. Some church sent us a crate of beanie babies and stuff like that. The kids loved them, and it was pretty awesome to be able to hand them out.

Even if the guys are based out of a fob, if they go out on overnight patrols a pack of wet wipes and some colgate wisps (or other throwaway toothbrushes) will make them feel a billion times less disgusting.

Even at the big fobs, the px only has so many DVD's. If the guys are lucky theres a hadgi shop with pirated stuff, but thats limited by both selection and quality. Its hard to go wrong with movies. If the guys already got it, he can always trade.

[KnightoftheRoc]

I'm curious; I'm seeing reading material mentioned a lot- would something like a Kindle or a Nook be worth having over in the sandbox? I have no idea what kind of cell or internet access is available over there. But, maybe downloading new books when back at base would work?

[NamelessStain]

I asked her a bit more about where her sons are located. She gave me the name of the camp that her marine son is located, but I don't want to say it here on the forums. Let's just say they are both at FOBs, not sure about the size of them though.

I was thinking about a large bag of Wurther's Original Candy as something they could hand out. Not sure how the locals would react though. I'm not familiar with the cultural idiosyncrasies.

Great ideas guys, keep them coming.

[maxfarrand]

I'm curious; I'm seeing reading material mentioned a lot- would something like a Kindle or a Nook be worth having over in the sandbox? I have no idea what kind of cell or internet access is available over there. But, maybe downloading new books when back at base would work?

KnightoftheRoc, no! Kindles and things broke easily in the environment.

I just got back from Afg. In my experience, I would say DVDs are win. The same movies get boring. Magazines (reading type) are good too, for the same reason. Baby Wipes, always.

Hm. What else?
Lighters, Socks, Solar Shower (if they are an outpost of some sort), Tuperware, Laundry Detergent.

[troll1000]

I know from looking back at my time in I would have just about killed for some microbites for eating MRE's. Too many times trying to eat things like country kaptain chicken with a stupid plastic spoon makes ya want to kill somebody with that stupid plastic spoon. Maybe that's just me though.
http://www.guyotdesigns.com/product.php?id_product=35

[gravediggerfour]

What ever you do dont ever pack a highly scented soap like Irish spring in with food, I lived off ramen noodles for mostof the first part of the surge in 07, I got about two weeks worth of noodles one time and a big pack of Irish spring.. I still ate the noodles cause I had too but you cant pay me to use Irish spring now.

[KnightoftheRoc]

I'm curious; I'm seeing reading material mentioned a lot- would something like a Kindle or a Nook be worth having over in the sandbox? I have no idea what kind of cell or internet access is available over there. But, maybe downloading new books when back at base would work?

KnightoftheRoc, no! Kindles and things broke easily in the environment.

OK, thanks- they hadn't even been invented yet when I was in, and I've never owned one, so my own experience with one is nil.

What ever you do dont ever pack a highly scented soap like Irish spring in with food, I lived off ramen noodles for mostof the first part of the surge in 07, I got about two weeks worth of noodles one time and a big pack of Irish spring.. I still ate the noodles cause I had too but you cant pay me to use Irish spring now.

Hmmm- that explains quite a bit, actually...

[Collie of Doom]

As others have stated, what to send depends on where your folks are at. If they are in a built up area, de-emphasize the toiletries. If they are in the middle of nowhere with very little re-supply, then the toiletries will be appreciated. Especially travel sized ones since the guys can take those out on missions. Find out if there are women in the unit. If there are, small women's items like hair conditioner and female-themed books and magazines are GREATLY appreciated, since these things are just not stocked in great abundance.

If you do send soap, double bag each bar in a ziplock bag. Same with any liquid or semiliquids. The boxes are kicked around a bit on the way over so don't send anything expensive or fragile. Don't send chocolate between March and October. It will melt. Homemade cookies are nice, but honestly, a lot of them end up stale by the time they get there. If you want to send something homemade, make a really good Chex Mix. That will stand up better. For things worn, choose subdued/tactical colors. It's fine to send a few religious items, as some of the guys will likely find comfort in them, but don't overdo it. For comfort items like nerf balls or mini pillows, colors are okay. It's a little touch of cheer when everything around you is the exact same shade of sand. A personal letter and photo is a nice touch. A lot of times, we tried to write people back, especially if their kids helped with the care package.

Here's some suggestions:
Bandanas or Buff brand neck gaiter
Wet wipes
Coffee - instant is good if they are remote, otherwise ground
Socks (athletic white, or green or black boot socks)
Flip flops - they ALWAYS run out of "normal" sizes at the PX
Magazines - Maxim and Popular Science are good choices
Tuna snack kits
Batteries - AA or AAA
Scenic postcards or small posters
Sporks
Small notebooks
Ballpoint pens and sharpies
Glowsticks
Tums
Workgloves
Chewing gum
Paperbacks
Dice or playing cards
DVDs
550 Cord
Duct tape
Sewing kits
Small cheap electronic games like Tetris or Texas Hold 'Em
Drink mixes
Hard candy
Cough drops
Q-tips/ Weapons cleaning patches
Stress/squeeze or high bounce balls
Trail mix or sunflower seeds
Beef jerky
Sunscreen - single packets are good

Ha, that's quite enough to start. And on behalf of someone who was the recipient of many many care packages in my day, THANKS.

[Collie of Doom]

The local kids like their candy super sour or super spicy or both. They aren't as much into sugar sweet. Pick up some of the Mexican candy - like hot spicy tamarind, and you'll be set.

[Alpha-17]

As has already been said, wet wipes, jerky, candy, drink mixes, and magazines are always great to send. Ask your coworker if her sons have a particular type of drink, candy, or food they really like, but can't get over there. For my first Iraq deployment and Haiti, it was A&W Root Beer, and for my second Iraq, it was anything mango. Chances are, there will be something they can't get.

[CrunchDog]

I've been to Iraq twice, and Afghanistan once. I would have liked, jerky as said before, but home made jerky would have been sweet. Also local candies, from small mom and pops stores. My favorite thing I got though was a Slayer t-shirt. So yeah. Hope that helps.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

PMAGs would be helpful. Mechanix gloves. Chapstick. Toilet Wipes. Also packets of drink they can make in waterbottles. Crystal light packets are what I preferred.

PMags are banned for use in the 'Corps. They melt, and the M249s cvhew them up and spit them out in little melty flamey pieces. USGI mags with MagPul follows are superior.

To echo the others, it depends where they are and what they do. My last deployment, I showered with bottled water, lived in a dirt floored circus tent, and patrolled 8 hours a day, and had 2 hours of electricity to charge my shit. This time I have hot showers, hot chow, and have a wood-floored tent on a FOB and I get a PX driven to me every month or two, with electricity 24/7.

My Kindle has survived so far.

On the "what they do" part, cooks don't need spare mags, fobbits who work in an office rarely need glow sticks, and no one needs bandannas/shemaghs because they are banned for wear (again, USMC-wise) by a MEF order. The first order is to find out where they are/what they do, and see if they haven't sent a request list.

My local rock-launchers always want pens, chocolate, aor peppermints when they are flipping me the bird, lobbing rocksin the turret, or screaming out "Puck you Maline!"

[PotatoMuncher]

Wet wipes, ftw
GOOD reading material (firearms and video games magazines, comics, etc)
Candy, candy, candy
Rifle cleaning supplies are a HUGE plus.
State side canned goods (Spaghettios, ravioli, pineapples, etc.)
DVD's
Deodorant or spray cologne
If you got the $$$ to spend, something they could use on a daily basis- Oakley hard-knuckle gloves, folding knife, sand mask, etc.

I also had some family send me some mason jars with cake inside. I think they were steam sealed so the cake was still moist when we got them. They were AMAZING.

[NamelessStain]

Again, thank for all the suggestions and keep them coming.

I made a run to Wally World this weekend to search the bargain bin for DVDs. I picked up: Stripes, Talladega Nights, Hancock, and Men In Black 2. Later I went to my local supermarket and picked up 4 boxes of the drink mixes in the premeasured packets.

I was also talking to a friend about what I was doing, he offered magazines which he has subscriptions. I should be getting those next weekend. GQ, Men's Health, and Rolling Stone Magazine.

I'll try to keep this thread updated whenever we gather more stuff to send over.

[Razor]

I'm about half way done with a tour in the Stan. Honestly as every one has said it will really depend on where you get stuck at over here I know for me the things I request most are socks, wipes, ramin, jerky, salty food, sweet food, dip, smokes, and magazines to read.

I wouldn't worry so much about gear, most of the issued stuff is good the only thing I've bought my self is gloves, boots, and some cold weather gear. But most of that was because of personnal preference and not any real need. (other then that the army issued mountain boots fall apart to easy so that was some what of a need)

Hope it helps.

I'm curious; I'm seeing reading material mentioned a lot- would something like a Kindle or a Nook be worth having over in the sandbox? I have no idea what kind of cell or internet access is available over there. But, maybe downloading new books when back at base would work?

My kindle is probably the most valued thing I own over here. I'm a grunt living out on a very remote over sized OP and it can be taken care of and not broken if you take the right precautions one buy an otter box for it and two but a box to put it in for when it's packed away in your ruck, I used a glock case buy any thing would work well as long as it's a hard case. The fact that it can go weeks with out needing to be recharged was a life saver when we first got out here and started setting up before we had power other then our trucks.

[Grindstone]

When I was in the USAF, I had a couple friends go to both Iraq and A-stan (they were operations, not support). I sent them newly released DVDs and magazines, their favorite sodas, family photos and mementos, various snacks I knew they liked, creature comforts already mentioned a billion times (hoo-ahs are great). One guy got a big box of Buffalo Wild Wing's sauces. Another friend who went to A-stan took his Sony e-reader so I sent him a gift card for Amazon books.