Monday
May172010
May 17, 2010 | tagged Adopt an MP, Care packages, Deployment 9 Most Wanted Care Package Items (and 3 things to skip)
Stuffing care packages for soldiers you know is easy: You already know their favorite cookies, their taste in movies, and if they have a dry or silly sense of humor. But Sheila from Ohio — who was one of the first to sign up for our Adopt an MP program — asks an excellent question: What do you send to a young man or woman who is (at least for now) a stranger? Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, plus some care-package-sending gurus, weigh in with these can’t-miss ideas.
#1. Low-tech games. In high demand are decks of cards and inexpensive poker chips.
#2. Old DVDs. Don’t splurge on the newest movie releases. The fact is, the black market is alive and well in Iraq, so new movies are readily available. Instead, search for classics like Smokey and the Bandit, The Jerk, and Raising Arizona, which you’ll often find in the bargain bins.
#3. Anything girly. For female soldiers, of course. Think scented soaps, sachets, nail files, and nice shampoo and conditioner. “You can always get the basics in Iraq,” says one female soldier, “but the good stuff is much harder to come by.”
It's care package heaven in this Navy pilot's office in Iraq: Two boxes of Utz chips and snacks, Girl Scout cookies, and a kid's drawing tacked to the wall.#4. Individually wrapped snacks. Potato chips, M&Ms, and anything from Little Debbie will be a crowd pleaser. They’re the right size — and easy to pack — for eating on patrol or at a work desk.
#5. Big and small resealable plastic baggies. If you’re going to mail larger packages of snacks, send along small baggies so that your soldier can make individual snack bags (see #4). Send big baggies too so leftovers can be kept fresh and safe from mice and bugs.
#6. Anything fun! Mari from Australia — another of our Adopt an MP participants — has been sending care packages to American and Australian troops for a long time. One of her favorite gifts: a water-balloon launcher. “I wasn’t quite sure what he [Mari’s newly adopted MP] would need or could use so I just took a punt on it being something to make him smile,” she says. “Oh, okay — confession time — also to make him the envy of everyone else in his unit.” (To the 108th MP Company: We look forward to seeing pictures of that toy in action from Iraq!)
#7. Stationery. Nice writing paper and envelopes are always needed. But don’t send stamps. Military personnel do not have to put postage on first-class letters they send from Iraq and Afghanistan.
#8. Spray-on, sweatproof sunscreen. It’s 104 degrees in Baghdad today. Need we say more?
#9. Pictures drawn by little kids and plain old-fashioned letters. Sometimes simple gifts are the best.
#5. Big and small resealable plastic baggies. If you’re going to mail larger packages of snacks, send along small baggies so that your soldier can make individual snack bags (see #4). Send big baggies too so leftovers can be kept fresh and safe from mice and bugs.
#6. Anything fun! Mari from Australia — another of our Adopt an MP participants — has been sending care packages to American and Australian troops for a long time. One of her favorite gifts: a water-balloon launcher. “I wasn’t quite sure what he [Mari’s newly adopted MP] would need or could use so I just took a punt on it being something to make him smile,” she says. “Oh, okay — confession time — also to make him the envy of everyone else in his unit.” (To the 108th MP Company: We look forward to seeing pictures of that toy in action from Iraq!)
#7. Stationery. Nice writing paper and envelopes are always needed. But don’t send stamps. Military personnel do not have to put postage on first-class letters they send from Iraq and Afghanistan.
#8. Spray-on, sweatproof sunscreen. It’s 104 degrees in Baghdad today. Need we say more?
#9. Pictures drawn by little kids and plain old-fashioned letters. Sometimes simple gifts are the best.
What should you cross off your care package list? The U.S. government has several military mailing restrictions for packages heading to the regions of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
#1. No pork, in deference to religious beliefs in the region. Sending jerky? Stick with ingredients like beef, chicken, or venison.
#2. Nothing obscene or pornographic. That includes magazines like Playboy.
#3. No valuable or irreplaceable items. OK, so this isn’t on any official banned-items list. But keep in mind that most things you send overseas will stay in Iraq or Afghanistan when our soldiers come home; they are often passed along to a new group of soldiers. So although it seems like a thoughtful gesture, don’t send your grandmother’s heirloom quilt or spend $200 on a set of professional poker chips. Save those items for a welcome-home gift instead.
#2. Nothing obscene or pornographic. That includes magazines like Playboy.
#3. No valuable or irreplaceable items. OK, so this isn’t on any official banned-items list. But keep in mind that most things you send overseas will stay in Iraq or Afghanistan when our soldiers come home; they are often passed along to a new group of soldiers. So although it seems like a thoughtful gesture, don’t send your grandmother’s heirloom quilt or spend $200 on a set of professional poker chips. Save those items for a welcome-home gift instead.
Reader Comments (6)
I've heard batteries are in high demand too...has anyone else heard that feedback from their solider?
When my friend got back from Afghanistan a couple months ago, he told me the things he valued most were antibacterial hand santizers and baby wipes. The sand is so fine, it just sticks to your face, and you don't always have access to a wash basin. I know that when my fiance heads out in the next month, all of my care packages will involve tons of travel sized bottles of Purell and at least one box of baby wipes.
Thanks to this article, I'll also stock up on individual snack treats too.
To go with your Do Not Send #3, don't send anything you expect to come home. Computer games are nice, but the cases they come in are bulky, and these guys have to fit their life into their bags. Any DVDs or CDs sent should be in narrow jewel cases when possible.
General newsstand publications such as Maxim and Esquire, which regularly feature what the Greatest Generation might have called "pin-ups" or "cheesecake," are not considered obscene under military rules--and are highly sought after by troops in some areas.
You can also send automotive, humor, hunting, military history, and other magazines--they also have a lot of trade-and-swap value, with both U.S. and allied personnel.
Keep up the great work!
I was in Baghdad for 15 months from 2007 to 2009. Quite honestly I was able to get almost everything I need/want online and have them ship to my base. Sure it was nice to receive care packages with shampoos and stuff, but what I craved and asked my mom to send me was my favorite snacks that I couldn't get from either the PX on the FOB or online, i.e. Cape Cod potato chips. Or loofahs, too. Some people don't have internet access 24/7. I did thanks to my job. One time, some church group sent us nerf guns and toys. You have no idea how much fun we had. We brought those toy guns back to the States and shoot at each other while at work, remembering how it was back in Baghdad. Football, volleyball or basketball can be a good gift as well. I know it's not easy to pack. But Soldiers can have fun just playing catch. Yes we are quite simple =) As you mentioned, individual packets of cookies and snacks are awesome along with individual packets of beverage mix like Kool-Aid or Crystal light.
As you said above, the best gift that made us cry while laughing was thanksgiving and christmas cards from kids. We hung them up all over the TOC(tactical operation center) where I worked. When my guys come back from a mission, usually around 3-4 in the morning, as they walked into the TOC to debrief me, even when they were sweaty, hungry, tired and ready to fall asleep, they stopped and read each and every single one of them.
What you are doing is amazing. And as one of the Soldiers having been deployed, I appreciate your effort to make our "business trip" more comfortable. Thank you.
When my son was deployed to a FOB he really wanted and needed baby wipes, face conditioners, chap stick, and snax. Many times the FOB's did not get the supplies needed so any kind of food in bags, tuna, chicken, and condiments, were always welcome. Clean sheets and pillow cases were always welcome as well as hand warmers. At FOB's showers are very few and heard to get as there may be only one or two for a whole battalion. He loved canned cheese and crackers also and of course cookies. Pringle cans work well for sending cookies.
When a friend was deployed to a remote area of Afghanistan earlier this year (he returned at the end of June), I sent many care packages. Instead of baby wipes, I sent disposable adult washcloths-found in the health and beauty aid dept.. They are larger than baby wipes and thicker-nice to have when the only way to wash up is in a basin outside.