What do Deployed Service Members really want in their Care Packages?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 15:40:36 -0500

Christmas and Thanksgiving are right around the corner RP Members and Connections. Are you putting together a Care Package for a deployed service member? 90% of the stuff that is recommended are basic hygiene stuff like toothbrushes, deodorant, mouthwash, and things like that.

Which made me wonder, doesn't the military supply soldiers with this kind of stuff anyway?

What do you think should be in a Care Package and how many of you will sending one this Thanksgiving or Christmas to a deployed service member?

How many Corporate Offices will be putting them together this year? Civilian Supporters and Recruiters here on RP this may be a great way to give back to Service Members - Send a Care Package - more information down below on how to go about it!

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 3:42 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 15:42:25 -0500

Decent ground coffee, something sweet to dunk in it, and baby wipes

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 3:44 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 15:44:54 -0500

Doritos and dr. Pepper. Baby wipes

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Nov 14 at 2016 3:48 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 15:48:29 -0500

RP Members and Connections, If you're interested in sending a Care Package in 2016 here is a good place to start - please research before sending.

http://www.operationwearehere.com/IdeasforSoldiersCarePackages.html

Support for Deployed Military Personnel

Care Packages to encourage deployed military personnel. What to send, organizations that send packages, retailers that ship gift packages to APO/FPO addresses.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 3:51 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 15:51:56 -0500

Baby wipes should be a mandatory item within a care package. I've received care packages for Halloween, Christmas/new years and for 4th of July from a small organization from my hometown. Usually had your regular toiletries, candy, some snacks, and cards made from kids from the church or the local elementary school. Nice little thoughts!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 3:55 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 15:55:35 -0500

Baby wipes
socks and underwear
trinkets from the family and kids
Cards
Favorite foods and snacks
Gerber/Leatherman/Knife

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Nov 14 at 2016 3:55 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 15:55:45 -0500

Copenhagen

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 3:56 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 15:56:50 -0500

Oh, not sure if I can answer that one openly, sir. ;)

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Nov 14 at 2016 4:09 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 16:09:26 -0500

Well, around this time of the year I was having my wife send hand warmers, ramen, instant coco, Blistex, and always baby wipes. The good ones, huggies or parents choice. Can be used for cleaning weapons and the body as well as the bum! Gloves only go so far, the hand warmers can be stuck in a pocket or the palms of the gloves. Blistex, or Carmex for chapped lips and noses from blowing them. Carmex work wonders for a raw nose! Cards, from the kids or anyone in general! a good Thanksgiving card and or Christmas cards from the kids warms the heart of a deployed parent or older sibling! I was always told KISS. Keep It Simple Simon! something that can be put in a ruck and carried easily. small memento or something to hang in the hooch or chu or even on a small tree we found! If you want to see them smile add a roll of Grizzly long cut winter green! they can share with the guys and GALS! Yes there are ladies that dip!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 14 at 2016 4:19 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 16:19:22 -0500

Body Glide (anti chafe).

The Dollar Store is your friend:

Charging cables (even a surge protector). Headphones. Decks of cards. Anything to kill "boredom" and boost morale.

Remember how much "downtime" we have.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 5:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 17:06:25 -0500

Well if you ask duffel blog porn and alcohol is on top of the list. For me snack items and baby wipes were most appreciated. And please don't send anything that can melt in temperatures below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Even in winter the postal system will find a way to melt it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 5:18 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 17:18:40 -0500

I remember the Care Boxes that were given to all the new comers at the Tent City staging area on Incerlik AFB, Turkey during the First Gulf War. They were basically advertisement kits for Gillette. Shaving Cream, Razors and other hygiene stuff plus a treat (M & M's and Skittles if I recall right). There was a nice note explaining how Gillette supported the troops..etc. Corporate Care Packages, in my opinion, can be useful and nice, but let's be honest. They are public relation tools and tax write offs.
I would much rather see more personalized packages from non-profit organizations and school drives, neighborhood drives and family drives.

Now to answer the question, Baby wipes, books (for those who still read), current magazines with news and popular culture, socks and underwear. I bet female hygiene products are worth gold as well.

Response by 1SG Dennis Jones made Nov 14 at 2016 5:41 PM

1SG Dennis Jones — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 17:41:30 -0500

I will be sending a care package my son deployed to Afghanistan with an MP unit recently ( SFC Joshua Jones)

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Nov 14 at 2016 5:46 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 17:46:28 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs we always included the regular snack stuff, hygiene items, socks, and solid two ply TP.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 6:13 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 18:13:31 -0500

Depends on where they're at. I love chocolate but packages of chocolate arriving in Iraq in the summer was not so bueno.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Nov 14 at 2016 6:16 PM

LCpl Cody Collins — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 18:16:18 -0500