What to send to Iraq?

[Underwhere]

My girlfriend's cousin was just shipped over to Iraq.
His first daughter was born 3 days before his departure.

I'd like to send him something but haven't sent anything to any active duty yet.

He's a 2nd Lieutenant and platoon leader.

I'm thinking of getting him something cool, a little unusual and a little tacticool at the same time.

I know some of you have family members overseas and would probably have a better idea than I do.

Maybe something for his rifle?

I was thinking maybe a Fenix LED light
Ideas?

 

[Cross-X]

Get a case of Bore Snakes for him and his platoon.

 

[zerodown]

I would check if he has a webcam. I've got a buddy over there now and we can talk every couple days through Skype using VOIP and Video for free. He also uses it to talk with his wife.

As for other things, every couple weeks I send some essentials - "listerine" filled with...., dip, etc. I've also sent spices and dry rubs. I know it sounds weird but the food is standard chow and my buddy was able to score chicken and steak now and then so the spices like Montreal Seasoning were great. DVDs, magazine, etc are good too.

Last week was my buddies 30th birthday so I also sent him a sand castle kit.

 

[ochmude]

If he doesn't use Skype or something like that, the AAFES phone cards are always a popular gift. Trail mix was always great to snack on when on a convoy. Also, the individual little tubes of powdered drink mixes are extremely popular. Actually, I'd highly recommend those, that was really all I ever consistently asked for while I was deployed.

 

[MrsWildweasel]

We would also send Alan when he was in Iraq, BBQ sauces and different hot sauces.
Hormel makes shelf stable microwave meals we sent those also. Depending on where he was was also dependent on what he needed.
Find out what he has access to, and what he doesn't.

 

[wolf223]

tobacco and porn

i used to send my friends video's of their favorite TV shows (back in the VHS days), local newspapers and nips of bacardi...

can't go wrong with phone cards (ever)...

 

[dwarven1]

I've also sent spices and dry rubs. I know it sounds weird but the food is standard chow and my buddy was able to score chicken and steak now and then so the spices like Montreal Seasoning were great.

Auntie Arwen has some GREAT spice and rub mixes. Laughing Coyote BBQ mix is one of my favorites.

 

[Dick]

My wife's cousin has been in Afghanistan for coming up on a year now, and we've regularly been sending him packages. His unit's web site (http://khaosrules.com/index.html) has a list of suggested "soldier" items under the "How to Help" link that might provide some good suggestions - not so much in the area of hardware, but more a list of comfort items - for you to send to your girlfriend's cousin.

 

[RichM]

Over There...

I got back recently... Here's my advice:

Don't send a big package at Christmastime... we get TONS then. Send a small "because we care" box at Christmas, and a big box a month later... it'll be a BIG hit!

We get LOTS of staples: soap, shampoo, wipes, etc., and these are all appreciated.

The boresnakes are a GREAT idea. I had my own, and used it regularly. We also used the OTIS cleaning kits.

New movies go over well; old favorites are probably already available. We had access to TONS of bootleg copies (of widely varying qualities). Recordings of current TV series' go over well... we don't get a season's broadcast of any series... just a couple of episodes. After the Super Bowl, send a recording of all of the new commercials... AFN (Armed Forces Network) does not show any real commercials, just public service advisories.

For a major gift, an external hard drive comes in VERY handy... we shared movies and music regularly.

Favored snack foods are great; the selection in the local PX's are limited.

Do NOT send alcohol or dirty mags... at all! Don't be "that guy" that gets his buddy in trouble!

Magazines get snatched up in a big hurry; so do newspapers. Save 'em & send 'em!

That's enough for now... I can add more later...

 

[Underwhere]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys

 

[Mrs. Magnum]

We would also send Alan when he was in Iraq, BBQ sauces and different hot sauces.
Hormel makes shelf stable microwave meals we sent those also. Depending on where he was was also dependent on what he needed.
Find out what he has access to, and what he doesn't.

Hot sauce was a HUGE hit with my sisters unit!!

I also sent over:

protein bars
Lot of cereal - fruity pebbles
Stuff for Smores ( nothing melted)
hand sanitizer (travel size)
Baby wipes (Travel size)
bandannas
GOALs outdoor message
iTunes gift cards
Cross word puzzle books

 

[RichM]

.. I forgot...

GIFT CARDS!!! Online gift cards to anyone who will ship to APO addresses: flowers (we all have honeys and Moms to send flowers to); Home Depot; Best Buy; Brigade QuarterMaster (all tacticool stuff); UnderArmour; CamelBak; Cabella's; etc, etc, etc!

 

[dwarven1]

RichM,

Thanks for your service, AND the great advice you posted.

Magazines get snatched up in a big hurry; so do newspapers. Save 'em & send 'em!

Any particular ones to send or to avoid? I mean, I don't keep my back issues of American Rifleman or Concealed Carry - would these be good to send, or not?

 

[News Shooter]

My office is putting together a care package again. This is good information. We have lots of magazines.

Does anyone have an address for a unit? PM me if you want

 

[RichM]

Sorry, everyone... I forgot to come back to this thread...

All magazines will get snatched up by someone! We got some packages with OLD 4x4 magazines, and they were gone just as fast as anything else! Any type of current reading material will be appreciated. We did get daily news (sometimes a day late) from Stars & Stripes, but obviously no "home-town" news from them.

One other thing that a lot of the women use is the online site Drugstore.com http://www.drugstore.com. They have gift cards available at:

http://www.drugstore.com/templates/stdplist/default.asp?catid=98273&trx=GFI-0-EVGR-MCN&trxp1=13888&trxp2=98273&trxp3=2&trxp4=ML.

There were ALWAYS boxes arriving with products not available at the PX.

I put out a couple of feelers for addresses, but I have not yet received responses...

Thanks for all of your kind words and appreciation of service!

 

[News Shooter]

Me too, I've got lots of stuff but nobody to send it to

 

[jairadio]

Many years ago when I was in the RVN.

The city I live in sent all its boys a huge SS Pierce box full of goodies at Christmas, I was the only one in the hooch to receive anything from the people of their city, of course it was shared with everyone.

Also I received the City newspaper, always 2 weeks out of date, but who cared, no one.

Beef Jerky was really great, and Cool Aid.

To this very day, I receive a Christmas card every year from a brother vet, inside the card is a packet of Cool Aid.