A buddy of mine was just deployed to Afghanistan. I told him I'd send him care packages while he was over there. He asked specifically for beef jerkey and tube socks. That's easy enough. Here's my question: what else can I put in there? I know some of you know people who are already deployed or have been deployed. Some of you are currently serving overseas. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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think dry\lite items. some things that I sent a friend not too long ago.
2 books (why not)
2 containers of the disposable plastic bowls with lids (all open food has to be sealed, so this way they can keep cookies and stuff a little longer)
1 pkg of zip ties
1 roll duct tape
1 bed sheet (for hanging in the tent as a partition)
1 tub of baby wipes (grooming, wiping shit down)
a bunch of single serve chrystal lite things (they're going to get all the free bottled water they want so this will add a little flavor)
2x jerky
bottom line is it has to be sealed, portable, and not take up much room. DON'T send anything with semi-naked people on it. It's considered contraband and can get him in trouble. No mens health\flex\none of that.
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A buddy of mine was just deployed to Afghanistan. I told him I'd send him care packages while he was over there. He asked specifically for beef jerkey and tube socks. That's easy enough. Here's my question: what else can I put in there? I know some of you know people who are already deployed or have been deployed. Some of you are currently serving overseas. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Wet wipes
fly tape
fly swatters
books
I have heard raves for the second item. Apparently a standard fly strip will be covered in minutes. Fly swatters for who can kill the most contests; wet wipes for those times when you just aren't feeling that fresh (daily).
Also prepaid phone cards, depending on where they are at and if there is access.
Fly Swatters are nice.
Books are too.
Plastic utensils(sometimes you can get these out of the DFAC)
Phone cards are handy.
I guess I am lucky, I have access to a DSN phone, so I get free phone calls. It has helped a ton. The best thing to send in my opinion is healthy snacks. We get a ton of junk food in the mail. Most of the time we end up giving a lot of the junk food and toiletries away to the TCN's(Third Country Nationals). They also like the MRE's, they can have all of those they want. However, the protein shakes out of them are delicious, but have a ton of carbs. If the soldier has access to a PX or AAFES store, gift certificates to those can be the nicest thing, as they can pick out what they need. http://www.aafes.com/ Anyone can purchase gift certificates. But, since I'm posting that, please DON'T send me a gift certificate. I have less than 2 months left, and I have everything I need. As a matter of fact, I am about to start shipping things home. I am donating all the books I received while I was here to the MWR center. That is what most soldiers do. That way the next soldier has a wide variety of things to read while down range. Some of my favorite things I have got since I have been here are just letters of appreciatioin. Especially the ones from kids. I'm sure some of you with young kids will know what I mean when I say(not to sound cliche') kids say the darndest(funniest) things. Honestly, there is nothing that can bring a smile to your face faster than the writings of a kindergarten class. One letter I received was from a little girl, her older uncle was here. She told me to tell him hi and that she loved him and that she couldn't wait to see him when he got home. I have no idea who he is, but I wrote back and told her that he was okay and that he said he loved her. I got a thank you not back from the parents as that made her day. Needless to say, it is one of the many letters I will be taking home. Well, sorry to babble on like this, just wanted to share a cute story.
I have been very fortunate as my wife has sent a ton of stuff to me to keep me stocked. She has been so great to keep me stocked up with goodies and a ton of pictures of my little guy.(Can't never be to many of those) Godspeed to your friend and God Bless you all for your support!
jj
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Troop Care Package Ideas
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