Care Packages!

[Opening Batsman]

I am participating in the adoptasniper.org program by sending a care package to a sniper. I am looking for input from military blokes who have been deployed and know what kind of everyday things are most missed while on operations. I have already purchased a stack of chewing gum, 8 litres worth of Gatorade base, roll on insect repellant, plastic storage containers, some energy bars, lip balm and a tube of condensed milk. Soon socks and batteries will be added to the list. What else is a good idea? And keep in mind that I am on a pretty tight budget and the postage costs almost as much as the items themselves to get them from here to America, and then the program co-ordinators will send them to deployed soldiers free of charge.
Thanks! woot

[lunatic2T2]

I am participating in the adoptasniper.org program by sending a care package to a sniper. I am looking for input from military blokes who have been deployed and know what kind of everyday things are most missed while on operations. I have already purchased a stack of chewing gum, 8 litres worth of Gatorade base, roll on insect repellant, plastic storage containers, some energy bars, lip balm and a tube of condensed milk. Soon socks and batteries will be added to the list. What else is a good idea? And keep in mind that I am on a pretty tight budget and the postage costs almost as much as the items themselves to get them from here to America, and then the program co-ordinators will send them to deployed soldiers free of charge.
Thanks! woot

A good flashlight and extra bulbs were my most needed. Hands-free flashlight could also be thrown in there, you know the one with the elastic band around your head. Some have multi colored bulbs, red,white, and blue.

Some good insoles for your boots could also included.

[Zoomie]

Here's (http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/top100.tam?xax=2408) a list of 100 best selling/wanted items that guys overseas get from this company. You can browse it for similar products.

Also- DVDs are a good thing too. Writing items such as pads of paper and pens.

[AOCBravo2004]

Magazines, like Sports Illustrated, umm books, DVD's, candy, etc.

[Brozozo]

****


But that'll probably be taken out before it's shipped over, especially to a Muslim country.

[digrar]

Bugger the Yanks mate, give me a PM if you want the 6RAR orderly room, they will be able to give you a mailing address for the boys in Iraq (probably free postage, it was for us in Timor).

[eightyfive535i]

hey guys and dolls-

my wife has been watching me read (and post on occassion) to this board for the last 6 months. finally tonight she wanted to see "what it was all about". so, she took my seat, and jumped all over militaryphotos.net for a while. she found much of interest, but nothing that inspired her. a few minutes ago she found this thread, and finally gets the purpose of this board.

she wants to "adopt a trooper". apparently, adopting a sniper is a bit much for her.

so, can any of you provide any links to sites where she (we) can send a care package to an infantryman?

thanks!

'85

ps - we are not just looking for organizations providing this service to yank troopers, we would like to send a package to a Pole, or an Italian, or an Aussie at the same time (to show our solidarity and thanks) so links to services that provide this opportunity in other Coalition nations would be appreciated!
pps - but not to a Brit, Brits BITE! ;)

[lunatic2T2]

she wants to adopt a trooper

Thats awesome man. I remember receiving care packages from folks like yourselves when I was over there. It was awesome and we really do appreciate them.

[NcDeuce]

Here's (http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/top100.tam?xax=2408) a list of 100 best selling/wanted items that guys overseas get from this company. You can browse it for similar products.

Also- DVDs are a good thing too. Writing items such as pads of paper and pens.

Under Armour, Bandana, Headdress... :roll: :lol:

[eightyfive535i]

she wants to adopt a trooper

Thats awesome man. I remember receiving care packages from folks like yourselves when I was over there. It was awesome and we really do appreciate them.

so give us some links, lunatic!!!

'85

[lunatic2T2]

I just Googles "adopt a soldier" and this came up. Im pretty sure there are other sites as well. I dont consider myself an "internet type guy" so Im not good at searching for stuff on the net. Hope this helps.

www.adoptaplatoon.org

www.brandonblog.com/Adopt-A-Soldier

www.soldiersangels.com

adoptasoldier.bigjohnmiska.com

[ramy]

I know one of the things soldiers in Iraq use freqently are those baby wipes you can use them for many different ways...

[Sabre]

digrar wrote:
Bugger the Yanks mate, give me a PM if you want the 6RAR orderly room, they will be able to give you a mailing address for the boys in Iraq (probably free postage, it was for us in Timor).

Too right.

No offence intended, but the Yanks have a load of support from their own government. Try sending a care package to a British squaddie, we get nothing! :|

Or a Digger, as it is probably more convenient. Find your local unit and support them by dropping off a package and convincing others to do so too.

Just ask them what the lads are after (write them a letter and ask) and if it's legal and affordable, send it to them. Nice thought mate. I should think it will mean a lot to them knowing that someone is concerned for their welfare and wanting to make their job a bit easier.

It might help morale if you pretend to be slim, tanned and female though! :lol:



eightyfive535i wrote:
ps - we are not just looking for organizations providing this service to yank troopers, we would like to send a package to a Pole, or an Italian, or an Aussie at the same time (to show our solidarity and thanks) so links to services that provide this opportunity in other Coalition nations would be appreciated!
pps - but not to a Brit, Brits BITE!

:| Cheers.

[Sabre]

ramy wrote:
I know one of the things soldiers in Iraq use freqently are those baby wipes you can use them for many different ways...

I remember on an exercise once, we stopped at a Waitrose to pick up some supplies. We all had a basket full of scran and essentials, including 'wet wipes', except for my mate.

He went up to the check-out with two packs of Wet Wipes and the *** issue of 'Front'! rofl

He didn't get why the girl behind the counter was looking at him oddly until he was walking out of the shop!

[Opening Batsman]

It might help morale if you pretend to be slim, tanned and female though! :lol:

Hmm... I'll try, but what if they want to hook up on return? :| :lol:


He went up to the check-out with two packs of Wet Wipes and the *** issue of 'Front'! rofl

He didn't get why the girl behind the counter was looking at him oddly until he was walking out of the shop!

rofl

Thanks for the input, everybody! :D

[HoboWithAK]

Here's (http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/top100.tam?xax=2408) a list of 100 best selling/wanted items that guys overseas get from this company. You can browse it for similar products.

Also- DVDs are a good thing too. Writing items such as pads of paper and pens.

Under Armour, Bandana, Headdress... :roll: :lol:

And include the ten thousand dollars for reconstructive surgery the soldier will need when that **** flash-melts and fuses to his skin. I would suggest getting buying silk from Galls LE Supply.

[Sabre]

It might help morale if you pretend to be slim, tanned and female though! :lol:

Hmm... I'll try, but what if they want to hook up on return? :| :lol:



You want to serve your country, don't you? ;)

Just lie back and think of Oz! :lol:

[Opening Batsman]

It might help morale if you pretend to be slim, tanned and female though! :lol:

Hmm... I'll try, but what if they want to hook up on return? :| :lol:



You want to serve your country, don't you? ;)

Just lie back and think of Oz! :lol:

<slaps Sabre around the ears with a large trout> :P

I can't send a package to the Aussies in general, there has to be a specific person I am mailing it to. And I don't know anybody. :( Stupid policy, if you ask me.

[Beloved Shiv]

Latest SOF had a few suggestions in the front. One stood out I hadn't thought of yet - .223 and 9mil bore snakes.

Also - http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27133&highlight=

[mi35d]

In reply: Bugger the Brits. If you're own countrymen can't be bothered to support you don't bitch because US troops get more crap in the mail.

I've worked with multi-national units over the years and when it comes to "care" packages there seems to be no rhyme or reason. Well supported units at home get nothing in the field. The soldier with no family gets more stuff than the one with a dozen family members. Best thing to do is to make sure everyone is supported in some way. (Leaders, check your troops.) Make your wishes known to family member at home before you depart. Have extra stuff pre-purchased and ready to go.

The best were the Italians. Each week their families would get together and cook a palette load of stuff and a C-130 would fly it in. Fresh breads, pastries, meats...

Funniest was a guy who previously worked for the Post Office and was getting rather upset that we were cranking on his prior job. He lectured us on how careful and professional they were. About 2 minutes later (and this is no bull****) we had mail call and he had a box from home: it was squashed and had clearly been through hell and back. "Sonofabiiiitch!"

Btw: Ditch the Gatorade. Gunks up the Camelbacks.

[lunatic2T2]

Btw: Ditch the Gatorade. Gunks up the Camelbacks.

You're not supposed to put them in Camelbacks. I knew a guy who made a giant Screwdriver in one though.

[EsoognomEhT]

rofl, quite amusing how the yanks call whats basically a helly hansen the rather grand sounding UNDER ARMOUR! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[lunatic2T2]

rofl, quite amusing how the yanks call whats basically a helly hansen the rather grand sounding UNDER ARMOUR! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

WTFs a helly hansen? :lol:

[EsoognomEhT]

http://im.edirectory.co.uk/products/55/i/prowooolmensstripe.jpg

base layer, as worn by the British Army.

from British site;
This Helly Hansen top is a combination of fast drying polyproplene and warm merino wool, the base layer not only takes sweat away from the body but traps heat. Long sleeved top with crew neck.

[EsoognomEhT]

American site;
UNDER ARMOUR® PERFORMANCE APPAREL
HEATGEAR® TACTICAL FULL T-SHIRT
When the heat is really on, you have to wear body armor, and gear put on HeatGear! This “second Skin” is tight fitting to provide reliable compression. Guaranteed to keep you cool, dry and light underneath your vest or BDU. Soldiers have found HeatGear™ & LooseGear™ nearly indispensable for desert warfare.

Comfort starts next to the skin! The days of clingy sweat-soaked cotton underwear are over. Under Armour® Fabric™ keeps you cool and dry in the heat. This microfiber blend features the UA signature Moisture Transport System to wick perspiration from your skin to the outer layer, allowing the body to regulate temperature. This is the most comfortable, highest-performing underwear you have ever worn!

----

I think the descriptions of these two practically identical garments demonstrates the differences between America and Great Britain quite well hehe

[lunatic2T2]

http://im.edirectory.co.uk/products/55/i/prowooolmensstripe.jpg

base layer, as worn by the British Army.


This Helly Hansen top is a combination of fast drying polyproplene and warm merino wool, the base layer not only takes sweat away from the body but traps heat. Long sleeved top with crew neck.

If these things are so cool why were you guys always asking for mine? ;)

[EsoognomEhT]

Because yours has a much badder name obviously :D

[lunatic2T2]

I dont like them. We got issued 2 pair of long sleeve for the winter. They produce static electricity like a mofo. The ones that are good are the Coldgear Under Armour like the players in the NFL use...those are warm. :)

[Sabre]

In reply: Bugger the Brits. If you're own countrymen can't be bothered to support you don't bitch because US troops get more crap in the mail.


I didn't mean support from family, our lads get as much support as anyone. I was talking about issued kit from military channels. The US army get craploads of kit issued to them. (reference lunatic2T2's post, being issued base layers)

We, on the other hand, are lucky if we get desert uniforms for use in the desert! Back in Telic 1, there weren't enough uniforms in storage for all the troops (Hoon had sold them off), nor was there enough body armour (one sergeant died as a result of a wound that was preventable by wearing body armour) nor was there sufficient NBC equipment to provide protection for the whole of the deployed troops (I think we had a third of the required amount of kit). The last shortfall was rather worrying as we were supposed to be going in to take out WMDs!

More recently, it has come to light that the MoD didn't buy enough rounds for the UGls. Troops have had to train with one drill round between several blokes and shout 'bang' while doing section attacks. There was no opportunity to test fire the HE rounds and get practice up before deploying. Training had to be done in theatre with spare rounds.

The MoD also failed to buy any BFAs (blank firing attachments) for the minimi! Unbelievable, but true. Out came the 'Ba-ba-bang' once again during section attacks. Training, once again, had to be done in theatre.

F***ing MoD!
:roll:

[lunatic2T2]

In reply: Bugger the Brits. If you're own countrymen can't be bothered to support you don't bitch because US troops get more crap in the mail.


I didn't mean support from family, our lads get as much support as anyone. I was talking about issued kit from military channels. The US army get craploads of kit issued to them. (reference lunatic2T2's post, being issued base layers)

We, on the other hand, are lucky if we get desert uniforms for use in the desert! Back in Telic 1, there weren't enough uniforms in storage for all the troops (Hoon had sold them off), nor was there enough body armour (one sergeant died as a result of a wound that was preventable by wearing body armour) nor was there sufficient NBC equipment to provide protection for the whole of the deployed troops (I think we had a third of the required amount of kit). The last shortfall was rather worrying as we were supposed to be going in to take out WMDs!

More recently, it has come to light that the MoD didn't buy enough rounds for the UGls. Troops have had to train with one drill round between several blokes and shout 'bang' while doing section attacks. There was no opportunity to test fire the HE rounds and get practice up before deploying. Training had to be done in theatre with spare rounds.

The MoD also failed to buy any BFAs (blank firing attachments) for the minimi! Unbelievable, but true. Out came the 'Ba-ba-bang' once again during section attacks. Training, once again, had to be done in theatre.

F***ing MoD!
:roll:

True you are. The Brits and Aussies always came to us with bartering material for kit. F*** the money, they wanted useful stuff. A whole desert Gore-Tex suit (jacket and pants), an inflatable cushion for a cot and some Mechanix gloves, that never cost me a cent, went for a fully functional AK with full mag from the Aussie SAS.

Never been fired and only dropped once. ;)

[Opening Batsman]

In reply: Bugger the Brits. If you're own countrymen can't be bothered to support you don't bitch because US troops get more crap in the mail.


I didn't mean support from family, our lads get as much support as anyone. I was talking about issued kit from military channels. The US army get craploads of kit issued to them. (reference lunatic2T2's post, being issued base layers)

We, on the other hand, are lucky if we get desert uniforms for use in the desert! Back in Telic 1, there weren't enough uniforms in storage for all the troops (Hoon had sold them off), nor was there enough body armour (one sergeant died as a result of a wound that was preventable by wearing body armour) nor was there sufficient NBC equipment to provide protection for the whole of the deployed troops (I think we had a third of the required amount of kit). The last shortfall was rather worrying as we were supposed to be going in to take out WMDs!

More recently, it has come to light that the MoD didn't buy enough rounds for the UGls. Troops have had to train with one drill round between several blokes and shout 'bang' while doing section attacks. There was no opportunity to test fire the HE rounds and get practice up before deploying. Training had to be done in theatre with spare rounds.

The MoD also failed to buy any BFAs (blank firing attachments) for the minimi! Unbelievable, but true. Out came the 'Ba-ba-bang' once again during section attacks. Training, once again, had to be done in theatre.

F***ing MoD!
:roll:

True you are. The Brits and Aussies always came to us with bartering material for kit. F*** the money, they wanted useful stuff. A whole desert Gore-Tex suit (jacket and pants), an inflatable cushion for a cot and some Mechanix gloves, that never cost me a cent, went for a fully functional AK with full mag from the Aussie SAS.

Never been fired and only dropped once. ;)

Bah, you rip off Aussies and it will come back to haunt you. :P

[Sabre]

Yeah, I think the way it works is we give you food and shiny things we found, and you give us camp beds...mmmmm, camp beds [/drool]




Mind you, some regiment blokes I know find it rather amusing to see the look on a Yanks face when they start hoarding useful bits of kit whilst on exchange exercises. For example, the little metal speedloaders you guys get in your ammo crates. Ours are big plastic jobs that take up way too much room, so a metal yank speedloader is 'quite a prize'. So these yank SOF blokes are chucking these things on the ground after bombing up, and the regiment guys are scuttling around, picking them up! :lol:

The yanks are looking like " WTF are you guys doing?". :lol:

[lunatic2T2]

I'll have to remember that then the next time I work with your SF.

I got jealous at the C-130 loads of beer you guys (brits) brought in for your enjoyment during an op prior to OIF, we were still under gen. order 1 which expressly forbid any alcoholic consumption blah,blah,blah...Since our two countrys were the only two on base, we bitched and whined until you guys finally threw a case at us. Ahhh....beer. I dont think you guys liked us eating at your chow hall either.

Jordan still denies our existence then, maybe it was because one of you blokes pissed out in the open towards the mosque. rofl

[Sabre]

rofl