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

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.

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

Sir,<div><br></div><div>All of the previous suggestions were excellent. &nbsp;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. &nbsp;It really lifted my heart, and broke up the monotony of working 12-hour days, 7 days per week. &nbsp;</div>

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

Fresh socks, jerky, tobacco, etc...

Decent coffee and baby wipes.<br>

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

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.

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

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

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..

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.

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

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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

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.

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!!

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

<P>I agree with SFC C. Coffee. I have used Lock and Load Java to send coffee to my buddies&nbsp;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&nbsp;sure if things are as rudimentary now as they were then.</P>
<P>Hard candy. I also liked&nbsp;Wrigleys&nbsp;Winterfresh&nbsp;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>

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.