Equipment

[radman1705]

My son is getting ready to be deployed to Iraq with a Marine Unit. Everyday brings new scuttlebut about what equipment they will be issued and what they need to provide themselves. He is also concerned about the body armor they are issued. Any info?? I was USAF as an MD so this is new to me.

[puckmedic]

He's going to want duct tape, dental floss, condoms (for rifle barrels). socks always extra socks. I can't think what else our guys were writing back to us saying they wanted.



OH yeah gloves, knit caps, and sunscreen as well as bug lotions. Sun glasses and handi wipes or baby wipes.

Personal comfort items included hand held games, cards, pens and paper tablets, beef jerky (tons of it, apparently the loclas love the stuff) small packs of kool aid and gum, crackers, general junk food.

[Lynn]

Radman, my son is also going to Iraq and weare inthe same stage of not knowing what to send them supply wise. He has saidthick white socks, the kind for diabetics are good for circulation.

My GI unit sent a surgical unit in Iraq abunch of things at Christmas and the things they asked for was: Gatoraid powder or powder tea packets. Gum, hard candy and cookies. Liquid soap/wipes and chapstick/lotion with sunscreen. Lots of Batteries, stamps, paper, etc. crossword puzzle books and magazines.DVD's and CD's. Games of all kinds. Sweat shirts/Pants/Glovesbecause it gets cold at night. Those new running knit shirts/ pants that are very thin and fit snug to the body ( fits like a girdle) hold the heat in well and they last a long time.

Also, afriend of mine is making a ice packet (made out of planting material)that absorbs the sweat when wrapped about the neck. When I find out how she makes these I will post it on how to make them. She is sending them to my son to try them out. So far they work wonders here in N.C. As far as the armor equipment, they have been fitted with bulletproof vest before going and once they get there they are fitted with additional armor. I will let you know of anything else and hope you will do the same so our sons will have what they need. I will keep your son in my prayers, Lynn

[puckmedic]

Perhaps some one who has been there can add to this?

[puckmedic]

puckmedic wrote: Lynn wrote: I will keep your son in my prayers






We all will keep them in our prayers and thoughts.

[Da-Chief]

Lynn,

Thanks for the reply, I am so glad you are still hanging out here with us.. Should give you your own forum "Ask Lynn".

:P

Da-Chief.

[radman1705]

He said some of the guys are talking about buying additional personal body armor. Is this really necessary? That sounds like something that should be issued. In reading some news items about this, it does sound like there have been concerns. The Army issued orders in March to disallow use of any non-issue armor. Has the Navy/Marines? Thanks for the other posts, it will help us prepare for a VERY large CARE package for him to take.

[puckmedic]

I don't know what the Navy and Marines point of view on this is



. If I was told to not use non issue body armor and none was issued to replace it, my attitude would be "Screw them,what are they gonna do, make me go to Iraq or Afghanistan? They want to come over take my place they can do so".

Then I would have dared anyone to try and take it away from me. Not exactly reccomended if I'm armed.

[crazycajun]

Here's my take:

As far as I know, I haven't seen anything on the Navy/Marine Corps stating that you couldn't wear civilian gear. Though with that stated, the Navy/Marine Corps personnel deployed to that area follow Army rules because the Army controls the operation. Though, they do issue required body armor to all personnel with the Navy/Marine Corps Team - Flack, Helments, SAPI Plates, etc.

As far as items needed:

Concur with all things stated, Baby wipes are invaluable while out there. Other items I had sent to me, summer sausage (you don't need an ice box), crackers, Chocolate items tend to melt because of the time it takes to get there, though M&Ms seem to make it ok, Hand Sanitizer was also a good thing. There is an exchange in most areas and if not they usually have a mobile one that gets around from time to time. There is already alot of items out there as far as personal hygiene goes, though, to send what yourSailor/Marine likes is a huge plus. They even have Burger Kings, Pizza Huts, on some bases gotta luv the Army/Air Force and they are not free. Most of the Chow Halls aren't to awful bad, though it's still not home cooking. Nothing beats my wife's and mother's cooking, though I am partial.

Magazines/books are another great thing! They have some at the PX though they are usually a little behind. Nothing like getting hunting and fishing magazines while out there, though those are of my taste.

Body Armor Shirts and Underwear: I know you really don't want to hear this one though I must say it. Though these are great items for wicking sweat and keeping one warm. These items are probably not going to be allowed in the near future due to the fact that they cause issues if a person gets burned. Nylon/Nylon blends and fire don't do well together and cause issues when cleaning a burn.

The one thing that remains true: I was greatful for everything I received and shared with all in my unit. Packages keep morale and spirits high. Letters, emails (if available), packages, etc....kept me in touch with the real world!

Hope this helps.

Semper Fi,

crazycajun

[radman1705]

Thanks to all who have answered. I appreciate it.:D

[puckmedic]

OK folks- If I wanted to send items, and don't know anyone, who can I sned the stuff to? Is there some sort of "any soldier..." type of address there?

Parents maybe we here as a group can get things sent together to your guys and girls? Show our support as DOC to DOC ?

[crazycajun]

I know the the USO has a program out there for sending items to the troops. Goto http://www.usocares.org/They take donations and send care packages. I know there use to be a "Any Marine" or "Any Solider" program though I believe they did away with it because any one could send packages that maybe be sent malicously to cause harm. Though I'm not 100%. Usually if you contact the a base Chaplian they have ways and means to assist in sending packages to the Chaplians deployed in that theater. Plus, several of us know personnel currently deployed.

Semper Fi,

crazycajun

[radman1705]

My wife is currently getting signed up with a group that send books and other things. The website is 'booksforsoldiers.com' Haven't used it yet but it looks very good.

[puckmedic]

I get in touch with Millington's Chaplin office see what they can steer me to. If I find anything else, I'll let you all know.

Just want to do something for them ya know? I've been deployed more times than a guy could want in a life like ours.

[Lynn]

:)Hi, well I found out that you can ship packages thru the US mailin a Flat Rate box, set price about 8-9 bucks no matter how much it weighs. Also there is Motomail that you can email to them that is printed out and given to them within 24 hours. And then there is Spawar phone cards that you can get for your son and send him the pin number so he can call for about 4 cents a minute.

Check out the sites for your sons marine unit. Ours has really gotten a group going to get info out to the families.The support group can give you ideas too. Is your son in Iraq now? I can get you more information as ideas are passed around to me from the other moms. Mostly what my son wanted with the last call was old DVD's that they can pass around and play during their down time. We are going to be sending DVD's of the weekly TV shows so they have those as well.

I also found out the the underclothing I had mention before is now forbidden, can light on fire and burn. So I was really wrong with that one. Well, hope this helps, Lynn

[Lynn]

:)Hi, well I found out that you can ship packages thru the US mailin a Flat Rate box, set price about 8-9 bucks no matter how much it weighs. Also there is Motomail that you can email to them that is printed out and given to them within 24 hours. And then there is Spawar phone cards that you can get for your son and send him the pin number so he can call for about 4 cents a minute.

Check out the sites for your sons marine unit. Ours has really gotten a group going to get info out to the families.The support group can give you ideas too. Is your son in Iraq now? I can get you more information as ideas are passed around to me from the other moms. Mostly what my son wanted with the last call was old DVD's that they can pass around and play during their down time. We are going to be sending DVD's of the weekly TV shows so they have those as well.

I also found out the the underclothing I had mention before is now forbidden, can light on fire and burn. So I was really wrong with that one. Well, hope this helps, Lynn

[navymom]

New to this site so just wanted to add to the chat above...

My son just graduated boot and is now at corpsman A School. Just finishing uphis indoctrication period so should be getting to the meat of school very soon. I enjoy reading the messages on this site --they give me alot of encouragement and information. Thanks all...

Now someone asked about sending stuff to our the troops... http://www.anysoldier.com/whereis a website where anyone can go and read emails from our troops (by branch or location) where they post requests for particular supplies or sometimes just mail. Many times you'll find one of the leaders posting messages for their troops.The website is pretty self-explanatory as far as the processyou must go through to access troop addresses. But they do limit you to no more than 3 addresses per day. If you want to send items to the troops (or your own), the USPS has the best deal around. They have2 different sizes of flat rate shipping boxes (11 x 8.5 x 5.5) and (11 7/8 x 3 3/8 x 3 5/8) both cost $8.10 to ship anywhere in the world. You can actually stuff quite a bit in these boxes... about 10 lbs worth so it's a great deal on shipping.

A friend of mine told me about this site and my retired mother has made it her new mission to send supplies and letters/emails to the troops. What a blessing it is for both her and the troops. They really appreciate anything you send, but I think the written encouragement and support is the most appreciated. She now send about 10 newpackagesa month to troops and has developed quite alot of pen pals also. Most of the time the troops write back and it's so encouraging to know that for the moment, you're making a difference in their lives.

[DocNanninga]

I am there currently, baby wipes are a wonderful thing but dont send them with every package, as we run out of room to carry them. We do share what we get with others but baby wipes are all over here as is hand sanitizer. Both are necessary items, but not ones you will need to send all of the time.

Some creature comforts are movies, newer ones. There are lots of older ones floating around and they do get old. Socks and body underarmor are the two things thatwere clammered for here. You never have enough socks, and they are never stay white, and the underarmor helps with the sweat.

I will have your son in my prayers as I do all service members and corpsman!!!!

[crazycajun]

USPS MILITARY PACK – YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS CAN GET FREE PACKAGING MATERIALS TO SEND YOU GOOD STUFF
GOOD INFO FROM OUR OMBUDSMANS
The USPS has a program for military family members and friends to supply them with packaging materials to send packages to troops overseas, sailors on ships, etc. If you call 1-800-610-8734 and select option #1, then #1 again, ask them for the "Military pack." They will send you 8 boxes, tape, packaging materials and labels. They will also give you an I.D. number so if your supply runs low, you just call them up and they'll send you more supplies. The materials take about four to ten days to receive. Since most places charge you for the box, tape, filler, labels and everything else – this should help save some money!

[Lynn]

Hi all, my son has been in Iraq for a little over a month now and what he wants most of all are sock and more socks. He says that after being on patrol for days on end that his socks are walking on their own. He also wanted Ravioli and chips and salsa. He has not asked for much but I am still sending him packed boxes. I think I buy him more stuff then I buy for the rest of the family to eat. I have a bed full of care package itemsto send and I send at least two full boxes weekly. It is taking about a week to get there.

Fleas are a problem there,so send fabric softner sheets. The fleas and other bugs do not like the scent and this can be rubbed on the skin without problems and then the sheets are tucked into the pockets to help keep them away. White bed sheets are needed for when they have a bed to crash on.

Please go to the www.usmc.mil (http://www.usmc.mil) site for articles on the Betio Bastards. I am so proud of them all. They had some close calls but with the Grace of God things turned out alright. Please send packages and letters from home to our Devil Dog Corpsman and Marines. They love them. Praying every minute til I hear my son's voice, Doc Ryan's mom Lynn