bigfoot

One of the ladies that I work with, her son shipped out to the sandbox today.

We are having some conversations as to what are the best things to put in a “care package”. I would appreciate it if some of you that have been to Iraq could let me know what are the things that are needed that Uncle Sam does not supply.

ofcmarc

My brother in law went over there a hwile back and said baby wipes came in real handy.

jbjarko

• Baby Wipes - packets are better than tubs. Much better than baby wipes, per se, are the "Hoo Ahhs" brand of pre-moistened, alcohol-free, unscented Field Towels
• Beef Jerky/Slim Jims
• Energy Bars (Power Bar, etc. - Unless a specific brand is requested, much better than standard civilian energy bars are the "HOOAH!" brand energy bar based on the U.S. military's own specially formulated bar that better meets the soliers' needs)
• Hot Sauce (Tabasco, Red Devil, etc.) - wrap glass bottle in duct tape and place in doubled zip-lock bags
• Sunflower seeds
• Peanuts
• Seasoning Salt (Lawry's, etc.)
• Atomic Fireballs / Jolly Rancher hard candy (for service member use)
• Smarties or SweetTart candies (for local children who prefer sour style candy to build relationships with community)
• Powdered Energy/Electrolyte Replacement Drink Mix (Gatorade, etc.)
• Chewing Gum
• Avon Skin So Soft - great for removing face paint and also reputed to be an effective bug repellant (the latter seems variable based on personal experience and reports)
• AA-cell Alkaline Batteries
• Personal Hygiene Gear: Disposable Razors, Toothbrush and Tooth Paste
• Eye Wash / Drops (Visine, etc.) for flushing dust and sand out of the eyes
• Zip-Lock style Plastic Storage Bags - assorted sizes, heavier freezer style are better
• Copenhagen Snuff in a tin ("Even if the service member doesn't dip snuff, they will be a hero and have more power than the Commanding Officer if they have a 'log' (10 cans) of 'Hagen.' A large percentage of infantry use this stuff and it is hard to get. The stuff they do get comes in a plastic can and tastes terrible. The 'Stateside Hagen' is the most powerful bargaining tool in a field environment!")
• Pre-paid Phone Card so service member can call home

WUnderwood

nice list! were you in the sandbox too?

vzdude

I hear toothpaste is in high demand too. Have a friend of the family working for Dyncorp. Very, very good list above too!

jbjarko

No I actually stole it off another website, and that is what I go by when I send packages.

Not yet. I'm joining the Corps and getting my commission after I graduate in a couple years. So I may go at somepoint

josh

12PACK

A friend of mine's a Marine and a LEO. Two of the guys he works with were activated and I remember him telling me they asked for Kool-Aid or anything like that. They have to keep hydrated and were really getting tired of plain water, fwiw.

PistolWhipt

Very good list .... and good to know that you do that sort of thing for the soldiers without even being one yet. Darn good start as an officer ... caring about the troops enough to dip into your own pockets. Good luck with your endeavors.

I would also throw in a couple handwritten letters of thanks to whoever it is going to. They need to be reminded that we love them and are grateful for their sacrifices on our behalf.

Cheers,
PISTOL

tmleadr03

I have never used this stuff but I would always carry a couple of cans with me to the field. Mainly because my team leader would try to quit dipping every time we went to the field. Made him a mean blankety blank, so I would toss him a can of dip instead of being thrashed cuz of his temper.

Otherwise that is a very good list! I would also say heavy duty black boot socks. The high quality ones. We go through socks like crazy in that heat.

ktpauley

I sent a care package to a Marine I only know from another site. Along with what is posted already I also sent peanut butter, trail mix, plaing cards, SPF 45 sun screen, a variety of battery sizes, foot, and baby powder. Keith

Alphacowboy

Good lists guys... thought I would just add this point just so ya know. I have a friend that was over there and one of his friends was going to send him a playboy... DO NOT DO THIS. Its a big big big no no to send stuff like that, has to do with the culture there, it is not looked upon very well. So, thought I would just warn you in case you were thinking about it.

AWCampbelll

I would not send heavy black socks we wanted just a plain set of white socks. The black just make your feet hot. Kool aid and jerky are some of the top ones.
Later,
Andrew

6cylinders

Girl Scout cookies! It's that time of year and a little taste of home would go over big.

zack_76401

I just returned from my 2nd tour in Iraq......

The things we wanted the most over there was.....

Seasonings.....we could get beef, steaks, burgers but no seasonings other than salt and pepper.

Anything spicy was great, jalepeno sunflower seeds, PISTACHIOS, etc. It was flavorful and a big hit.

Anything microwaveable........like ramen noodles, popcorn, etc.

One thing that comes to mind is these stick up lights......Soemone sent us some battery powered (AA) lights that you tapped and they came on.....they worked awesome and went everywhere we went.....especially on the inside of portajohns........

White socks, bubble gum, powered gatorade or other sports drinks......

As mentioned before NO PORNOGRAPHY OR ALCOHOL.........

Feel free to PM if you have any questions and If i thin of any thing else Ill post it......

Zack

Redleg

Defeinitely sunflower seeds. Helps cut the dust.
Also like getting fig newtons and nutterbutters, they tend not to melt.
Extra packets of hot cocoa, "good" coffee, and flavored oatmeal packs. For the armor units in the field, it's usually easy to heat water when you get a brake and get some coffee going and a hot water based sncak of sorts.