Calls and Packages

[CorpsmanMom]

I wanted to share how happy I am that my Corpsman, currently with the Marines in the sandbox, has been able to call every 4 - 5 days. Of course, with the time difference it is usually between 3:00 am and 6:00 am and you bet your sweet a** I will give up sleep for it!:) He told us before he left that contact would be very limited, so we are grateful for every time he has called. The hard part other than sounding wide awake at 3:00 am is finding things to talk about, he can't or won't tell us where or what he is doing just knowing he is safe and able to call is helpful. Has anyone found any sites that might give more information about where and what without giving away secrets?

For those sending packages thru the post office using the flat rate airmail boxes the cost is 8.95 no matter how heavy and are taking right at 2 weeks to get to the sandbox, much quicker than I expected. He has been asking for Motrin, Tylenol, Imodium, Neosporin ointment that I am sure he shares. Another thing he mentioned he appreciated being in one of the boxes was a bottle of Benydryl Anti-itch Gel. He has asked for some Dr. Pepper does anyone know if the post office frowns on this liquid being shipped?

Thanks for any thoughts on other items to send.

Debbie

[dustmans]

Sounds like he needs to do a better job of befriending his supply folk if he's asking you for meds. They do frown on liquids being shipped, if you do ship it, make sure it's in plastic bottles and well padded, put personal hygine or something on the customs lable. Also if you look at the first look at the first issue of the Scuttbutt News April 2007 http://www.corpsman.com/newsletter.html I wrote a piece on advice for Iraq which has some other good ideas to use.

[DeeDee]

nice way to encourage the reading of the newsletter Dustmans :D

Can't wait to see what you come up with for the June issue
DeeDee

[CorpsmanMom]

Dustmans, I have read the newsletter but I am looking for the out of the ordinary suggestions not the general list. I have sent him many things on the list and appreciate the information but I am always looking for more different things. As for the meds, it was not unexpected when he asked us to send because he had been told before he left from the men just returning that those items are in short supply. No clue if it is a supply clerk issue, higher than that or just being at the end of the line being a new corpsman. Don’t really care, he asked and it is within my ability to help my son and those who care is entrusted to him.

Thanks for the info on the packaging of Dr Pepper.

Debbie

[Da-Chief]

Mom ,
(going with the short name now.. Hell you have been around enough you and DeeDee can fight for the "MOM" moniker ;-) )

I think what Dustmans is trying to get across, a huge part of our job as HM's is learning how to "NETWORK" to get what we need and want. It is all a learning experience.

I had a HM2 who "I WORKED FOR" as a Chief. HM2 Gaborni would always show up with more then we left with and it was never sent from home to him. I always told him I didn't care how he got it as long as we weren't cell mates in Ft. Leavenworth. ;-)

He was my Radar in my unit. I would sit there shaking my head at the meds we needed, creature comforts he always would be able to obtain, funny thing was we never were missing any of our equipment, so I don't know what was pawned or traded.. I know he helped a lot of units that didn't quite have the best HM with them etc..

Anyways.. I am sure this is what Dustmans meant, not that you should not support your HM.. It is truly a art to learn. You usually can tell who can do it the best etc.. As they are the ones who make rank and are everyones "GO TO" guy.

Also tell him to try to get online here.. Hell we can setup a send to son area so the users here can send to his unit.

Glad your getting the phone calls. Also like Dustmans said, "WRITE" every day, there is nothing, and I mean, "NOTHING" like receiving written letters from families and friends.

Da-Chief

[DeeDee]

Corpsman Mom - you can have the "Mom" title around here - we all know I am "MOTHER" in this place HA HA

Get your son in here - if ever there were people who would help out when items are needed this is the place to turn. We should have an area in the forums for units to post what is needed or in short supply so we can help out.

Keep us posted
DeeDee
MOTHER ;)

[CorpsmanMom]

OK DeeDee! That just reminds me that my husband (police officer) celebrates Mother's Day every year because "I was just called a Mother yesterday"!

We have been extremely lucky with the phone calls but he does not seem to have internet access, he does have his laptop so maybe getting him here will be an option at some point.

I will touch base if things get above my head on requests but in the mean time thanks for everything.

[dustmans]

He might not be able to plug in his laptop out there. A thumb drive comes in very handy, type your emails and save them on the thumbdrive on a note document (you can never be sure of the software on the computer you end up plugging the thumb drive into) and when he does get around a computer, he can copy paste the email and send it home. Saves a lot of time when he has a limited time slot on the internet. The best thing he can do out there is learn the supply ropes, getting known as the "go to guy" makes life much easier anywhere you're at.

[IT3_to_HM3]

I have to agree. You have to learn how to network to get what you need.

[8404]

Send him Beef Jerky, Gatorade flavored powder for their water. My nephew complained about all the cookies and junk food they receive. They want alternative 'food's, canned meat's, (beef only), mac n cheese, chili mac, tamales (?) bleh, canned tamales! Velveeta, heck that stuff lasts for 40 years! Won't go bad, heh heh.

Extra Socks, thick socks. Frisbee's, footballs, game cards, hacky sacks for some off time entertainment. Moistened towelettes for personal hygiene. Do they make some kind of Texas BBQ sauce in a can. That's so it won't break during shipment! I'm sure they miss the Texas BBQ sauce.

Just a few suggested items, blue sky.

[dustmans]

We actually get Gatorade flowered powder at the chow hall now and believe me, we do get too much junk food. Unusual items go over good but not any of the 99 cent store stuff. We do have a PX out here, ask him what he misses about home and send him that. There are never enough good pillows (don't worry Dee, I do have enough), ice cube trays, tupperwear to use in microwaves, easy mac, cigars for some strange reason go well, definite shortage of dart boards, outdoor thermometers to take pictures next to when it's 130 out, sling shots!, no more playing cards, footballs, basket balls, pool cues if they have pool tables on base, if they have a game system, games for that system, baseball gloves, rubex cubes, devil sticks, gag gifts. Heck get stuff from garage sales like rice makers and espresso machines, they're worth their weight in gold out here.

[DeeDee]

I have a HUGE list of "themed" care packages if anyone wants a copy hit me up - It's a LONG one so I will work on an easy to read version and post it on the forums for future reference.

Here comes a plug for the Adpot-A-Doc program (brace yourself) :)

If you are deployed, getting deployed or know someone who is - email name, rank and mailing address to deedee@corpsman.com

If you would like to adopt one of our docs - email your name and mailing address to deedee@corpsman.com

We now return you to your regularly scheduled posts ;)

[Doc_Stevens]

........I always told him I didn't care how he got it as long as we weren't cell mates in Ft. Leavenworth. ;-)



Used to work for a HMC at Oakland Naval Hospital (Chief Tautalatasi or something similar to that). Great guy.....would tell me what he needed and always told me to keep him out of trouble. I could come up with just about anything (underground supply).:panda: