What does every deployed Soldier need/want someone to send them?

2014-03-04T19:56:34-05:00

<p>Need some help here - I have a good friend of mine's son deployed and I want to send him something.  What does an Infantry Soldier need or want someone to send him that isn't available in country?  </p><p><br></p><p>Already thought about sending his girlfriend but she won't fit in the box - need ideas of what a Ranger would need or want.</p>

Response by Sgt John Henry made Mar 4 at 2014 8:25 PM

2014-03-04T20:25:38-05:00

High quality beef jerky, fresh socks, chocolate chip cookies.<br>

Response by SSG Dave Rogers made Mar 5 at 2014 12:07 AM

2014-03-05T00:07:57-05:00

It is always good to get a package from home, but the best for me where the little things that we dont think about. My Aunt once sent me a box of socks and underwear from the PX, though I could get them there, they did not want me wasting money, and enough tootsie rolls for everyone in my platoon. sounds silly but those little things meant more to me than anything. Find out what they like and send it. Even if they can get it there it is the thought that counts, also send a dvd of people saying hi to them.. I use to get tapes, and loved listening to loved ones voices..

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 12:10 AM

2014-03-05T00:10:54-05:00

One of these, literally minutes worth of fun every day:<br><br><br>http://www.tmart.com/2.5-CH-Rechargeable-Micro-Helicopter-Brown-Golden_p133831.html?fixed_price=us_us&utm_source=base&utm_medium=organic&utm_term=14001755&utm_campaign=product&gclid=CPmM8cLQ-rwCFQ1o7AodLVoADw<br><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://cdn.image-tmart.com/prodimgs_v2/1/1400/1755/14001755/JFH-20102-25-Channel-Infrared-Remote-Control-RC-Helicopter-Orange_150x150.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.tmart.com/2.5-CH-Rechargeable-Micro-Helicopter-Brown-Golden_p133831.html?fixed_price=us_us">JFH 2010-2 2.5 Channel Infrared Remote Control RC Helicopter RTF Orange</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description"> </div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 1:05 AM

2014-03-05T01:05:39-05:00

Decent coffee and baby wipes.<br>

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 4:35 AM

2014-03-05T04:35:15-05:00

Fresh socks, jerky, tobacco, etc...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 9:50 AM

2014-03-05T09:50:15-05:00

I personally liked receiving old fashioned mail from my wife and children.  I know they could email, skype, or instant message me, but it wasn't the same.  I enjoyed receiving the mail and seeing my sons handwriting and misspellings. I encourage people to write letters.<br>

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 7:29 AM

2014-03-12T07:29:43-04:00

Coffee (I loved getting the Starbucks Via packets), snacks (nuts, sunflower seeds, jerky, etc.), magazines/books.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 7:35 AM

2014-03-12T07:35:32-04:00

comfort foods like things that are available from his home town. It was always a great thing when I got things from home in. It made me feel that I wasn't half way across the world for a few minutes while I indulged.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 12 at 2014 3:04 PM

2014-03-12T15:04:00-04:00

<p>SLIM JIMS!!!!  Yes those are pork products in a Slim Jim but who cares, the post office no longer ask. </p><p><br></p>

Response by SSG Dave Rogers made Mar 12 at 2014 3:30 PM

2014-03-12T15:30:13-04:00

I dont know if he has an iPod, but you can also do pod casts. wav files are good also if he has a iPod, he can download them and send his own. The best way to share those are on youtube or dropbox.

Response by SPC David Wyckoff made Mar 12 at 2014 4:40 PM

2014-03-12T16:40:16-04:00

<P>I agree with SFC C. Coffee. I have used Lock and Load Java to send coffee to my buddies down range. You can go on their website and put in the FPO/APO and send packages directly to your friend's son. The company is owned by vets and employs vets exclusively. Its based out of Salt Lake City.</P>
<P>My wife sent me a steel mixing bowl. Smaller one. That thing came in handy. I could cook in it, wash up in it, dig with it...but I'm not sure if things are as rudimentary now as they were then.</P>
<P>Hard candy. I also liked Wrigleys Winterfresh gum. I would chew a piece when I was drinking from my canteen and it would slightly fake my brain out, letting me think that the water was cold. If even for a second.</P>

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2014 7:05 PM

2014-03-13T19:05:26-04:00

Sir,<div><br></div><div>All of the previous suggestions were excellent.  The only things I would add are little holiday-related items that will boost morale for the holiday, but are cheap enough that they can throw them away afterward.</div><div><br></div><div>I was ecstatic when I received paper Christmas ornaments to put on my wall, a strand of silver garland, and little plastic noisemakers for New Year's Eve.  It really lifted my heart, and broke up the monotony of working 12-hour days, 7 days per week.  </div>

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Mar 14 at 2014 3:03 PM

2014-03-14T15:03:24-04:00

Wicking socks, baby wipes, powder (foot & body), protein powder/drinks, electrolyte drinks, knee & elbow pads, boot laces (good ones from Sportsman's Warehouse), soup, and anything else that is sustainable in theater ( iPod with iTunes subscription may be accessible depending on the FOB).  

Response by CMC Robert Young made Mar 17 at 2014 10:02 PM

2014-03-17T22:02:46-04:00

My step son asked for Kool Aid packets to add to his canteen. We sent enough for the entire platoon repeatedly!! They couldn't get enough of it.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 10 at 2014 3:53 PM

2014-05-10T15:53:28-04:00

if they're from Rhode Island, a couple of bottles of coffee syrup to offset the taste of that nasty shelf stable milk would be welcomed!!

Response by SFC John Rivera made May 20 at 2015 8:17 PM

2015-05-20T20:17:41-04:00

on my last deployment, we had access to a TV/DVD player but ran out of new movies pretty quickly. My girlfrend at the time sent hours of recorded prime time TV burned onto several DVDs. We would just throw one in on our downtime and let it run through. The Patoon Really liked it.

Response by SGT Robert Schaefer made Sep 18 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-09-18T12:16:34-04:00

Playboy, Guns and Ammo.

Response by SGT Robert Schaefer made Sep 18 at 2015 12:18 PM

2015-09-18T12:18:43-04:00

playboy, Maximum.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jul 13 at 2017 10:57 AM

2017-07-13T10:57:09-04:00

Toilet paper, baby wipes, any toiletry items, any tobacco items (can be traded), socks, cookies, chips, beef jerky, barbecue sauce (makes food tastes better).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2019 6:59 PM

2019-07-20T18:59:51-04:00

Q tips, anything chocolate jolly ranchers to toss out to crowds of kids. Jerky. Slim jims. Or just ask him. Always felt bad about getting a lot of misc. things I had no use for. But always thankful

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Jul 10 at 2020 3:34 PM

2020-07-10T15:34:35-04:00

Depends. You indicated he's a Ranger... so I don't know what those guys already have ready access to that we did/did not thirteen years ago in the advisory teams. I do know that when I was there, ANYTHING that helped one get clean when afforded the chance was a big "hit". The first thing I'd snag out o' the care package bin was soap. Good socks (that don't stretch out over time) are awesome. Microfiber cloths for cleaning goggles, optics, etc. Those lightweight hiking towels were popular as well. One hometown girl made me mix tapes... didn't end up going anywhere as she took up with the guy with the expensive sports car... but it was cool getting new tunes now and then.

Response by SGT Justin Brothen made Jul 10 at 2020 5:27 PM

2020-07-10T17:27:48-04:00

Depends on if they are on a fob,pb,cop, jss. As each of them have different amenities and things available. I had my mom send me homemade jerky, Jones sodas, cookies, and freezies. Also magazines to read.

Response by TSgt Jack Oberholtzer made Jul 10 at 2020 6:06 PM

2020-07-10T18:06:04-04:00

When our son was assigned to a ship out of Japan we used to send him and his shipmates long underwear, cookies, candy (I lived a few miles from Hershey Park) books of stamps, phone cards and the occasional holiday ornament. Looking back it was an expensive tour for us. Lol

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 10 at 2020 7:54 PM

2020-07-10T19:54:02-04:00

yeast