Re: Something for our troops
you aren't allowed to ship pictures of anything too explicit, or anything else sexually explicit, to anywhere in Iraq. they get in trouble for it, as its illegal to own for the Iraqis (because of their religion) and we're trying to be more..er, "culturally respectful?" so they get it taken away. and yeah, the MPs, etc do search their rooms for such things.
Food is ALWAYS appreciated, as long as its good food, haha! they can get every type of shitty food over there, but actually edible stuff is not as easy to get. They aren't able to get milk over there, and there's milk at the grocery store that you don't have to refrigerate, its by the condensed milks and such. its organic too, so thats neat. They also aren't able to get bread for PBJ or whatever, so they really enjoy that as well.
You aren't allowed to send anything with alcohol content, this includes mouth wash, as Iraq is a dry country.
baked goods are normally a good thing to send, however a lot of them won't eat home cooked baked goods from someone they don't know personally, as its potentially "dangerous" and they're accustomed to being paranoid about everything as terrorist/enemy behavior.
most of all they just are thankful to get stuff, a lot of the soldiers don't have goodies sent to them, either because their family doesn't care or they don't have a family. also a lot of their SO break up with/leave them while their deployed. Its heart breaking for these men and women who think they have someone to come home to suddenly have nothing left when/if they get back. so that may be a benefit, at the same time, be careful... it could turn into a precarious situation.
if you DO send pictures, they can be like, suggestive, but can't have any nudity, pretty much is the rule.
another suggestion: use the flat rate shipping boxes, it costs 8.95 (around there) to send with no weight restriction, and they can be sent to APO addresses bc their considered US addresses. you can fit a decent amount of stuff in them, there should be one thats a bit bigger than a shoe box, and one thats about 6"x14"x28" (i'm just estimating, and sorry i'm a bit...stoned. so that may be WAAAAAAAAY off)
also, when you go into the post office to get the boxes (which are free), make sure to pick up the customs forms. you'll need one for each box. and you'll also need to write exactly what is in the box on the form.
you also can't simply address it to "anyone" you HAVE to have a specific name of a specific individual as an addressee. some projects like "project any soldier" or similar will have coordinated with a soldier to disperse the packages. Or you can find a soldier through the internet or through FRG groups or friends to send them to who will disperse them.
Re: Something for our troops
Quote:
Originally Posted by
blayze
you aren't allowed to ship pictures of anything too explicit, or anything else sexually explicit, to anywhere in Iraq. they get in trouble for it, as its illegal to own for the Iraqis (because of their religion) and we're trying to be more..er, "culturally respectful?" so they get it taken away. and yeah, the MPs, etc do search their rooms for such things.
Food is ALWAYS appreciated, as long as its good food, haha! they can get every type of shitty food over there, but actually edible stuff is not as easy to get. They aren't able to get milk over there, and there's milk at the grocery store that you don't have to refrigerate, its by the condensed milks and such. its organic too, so thats neat. They also aren't able to get bread for PBJ or whatever, so they really enjoy that as well.
You aren't allowed to send anything with alcohol content, this includes mouth wash, as Iraq is a dry country.
Say what? My friend lives in Iraq, y'know, as an Iraqi Jew... and she can just go to any grocery store and get milk.
Re: Something for our troops
Send stuff to military hospitals where the injured are recovering(or not recovering).
I visited my former unit mates in Balboa 2 nights ago. Plenty of Marines in there you can send "get well" stuff to, lemme tell ya.
A lot of the sexual type stuff can be quite depressing. Funny things go a lot further. You have to remember that a lot of servicemen are married to fat wives who don't have sex with them, so playboys and hustlers just remind them of that. Send some simpsons dvds or books of jokes.
Websites of certain units usually have ways to send CARE packages to troops you don't know.
For example, here's the page for my former unit, 1st Battalion 1st Marines:
Unless you are sending stuff to specific troops, send "shareable" stuff like dvds that can be passed around, books that can be passed around, etc. Shit like food just causes a big fight over who is gonna eat it.
Re: Something for our troops
Quote:
Originally Posted by
lilithmorrigan
Say what? My friend lives in Iraq, y'know, as an Iraqi Jew... and she can just go to any grocery store and get milk.
thats outside the wire. and they're not gonna go roaming about baghdad for a carton of milk. especially when they would have to take i think the minimum for a convoy now is 6 humvees, with 3 people in each.
on the bases, there's shops and stuff, but my husband and a few of his friends have said, they cannot find milk anywhere in the FOB unless its been sent to them.
yeah, if they go outside the wire, they can get whatever they want, but 1-its unsafe, 2-its impractical
Re: Something for our troops
Call this number for a Postal Service Care Package Kit (tell the Customer Service you need the Military Kit) 1-800-610-7833
In demand items- Crystal Lite-type sugar free drink flavorings (in Afghanistan, the drinking water is BLEH)
Processed cheeses and beef jerkies
Polaroid photos of loved ones back home
Keep in mind 10% of care packages are searched for contraband
For those of you who don't personally know someone who could use a care package, is an easy way to send one....
God Bless You for doing this.
Re: Something for our troops
Thanks for all the information, truly appreciated :)
Re: Something for our troops
Quote:
Originally Posted by
blayze
thats outside the wire. and they're not gonna go roaming about baghdad for a carton of milk. especially when they would have to take i think the minimum for a convoy now is 6 humvees, with 3 people in each.
on the bases, there's shops and stuff, but my husband and a few of his friends have said, they cannot find milk anywhere in the FOB unless its been sent to them.
yeah, if they go outside the wire, they can get whatever they want, but 1-its unsafe, 2-its impractical
How are people sending milk? The powdered kind? Or is someone actually shipping things overseas refrigerated?
Re: Something for our troops
theres milk that you dont have to refrigerate, its packaged/processed differently, but its real milk... they're processed at ultra high temps and packaged in aseptic packs which allows them to have a shelf life of like, 7 months. which is cool. and it tastes the same as regular milk once its refrigerated.
i get it at walmart, by the condensed, powdered, and evaporated milk.
Re: Something for our troops
Parmalat is one brand. Pasteurized milk in sealed foil lined packages. No refridgeration required until opened.
and no the Troops don't just hop in the ole Hummer and head out to the grocer for snacks. There's a War going on remember.
Re: Something for our troops
My favorite method of helping out our troops in the middle east is by donating to . These folks actually hook you up with the 'wish list' of particular GI's, who may be needing anything from an air conditioner for their Humvee to desert boots. You also get the opportunity to trade e-mails and do some long distance morale boosting.
I also donated some free memberships to Rush Limbaugh, so they can listen to his show over the internet. PC or not, our troops in the field seem to be big Rush fans ... and they don't have much access to US based broadcast programming.
Re: Something for our troops
Frankie Mayo (originator of OperationAC) is one of my favorite people. Factoid. Her Son (and his Wife) and I were in the same unit at the same time. The 300th MP Co. I owe that Lady a kidney if she ever needs one.
Re: Something for our troops
My Cousin is a scout platoon leader; currently serving in Baghdad. Here's what's generally on the "request list":
dvd's, movies, television shows, whatever, for killing time
Beef Jerky (a perennial favorite)
Dried Fruits
Trail Mix
Nuts
instant meals.....tuna and crackers, noodle bowls, soups (yes, many of them have microwave access)
sugary candy (sweet tarts, runts, nerds, anything that won't melt basically)
caffeine powder that you add to beverages (some of the guys in his platoon just love it)
Most popular right now is powdered drink mixes....especially the ones that are pre-measured so that you can just dump it in your water bottle, shake it up and have a refreshing little beverage.....Crystal Light makes them, as do a few other brands.....ones that are made for athletes to rehydrate are best....it's.....so....damned....hot....and they're generally wearing about 50lbs of various gear, so you can bet they go through water like mad
Hunting/Fishing Magazines (hey, his guys normally live in texas, so that's a popular activity) I assume car and sports mags go over well too
Women's magazines are great too of course....I don't send them to this particular platoon, as there aren't any women in it....but I'm sure they'd appreciate that sort of thing.
Moral of the story....just use your head.....think about what you might like to receive in their place....just make sure it's practical, ie: things that won't melt during shipping, non-perishable, portable snacks, no porn (as much as some might like to receive it, it's a no-no to send), just remember, it has to be able to get through customs...;D
Ahh, it warms the cockles of my heart to hear how much some people appreciate our soldiers, we owe them everything.....and it's nice to know that some people realize it!
Re: Something for our troops
a lot of the things that are popular to send, such as nuts, candy, jerky are available to them already over there. it just REALLy depends on where they're at. if they're at a camp that has stores, etc around then they can get the dvds and magazines too.
right now, i know my hubby can get pretty much any movie, tv series, dvd he wants for 2-9 dollars. he got all of the X files (yeah we're nerdy) seasons in a boxed set (bootlegged, of course) for $20. haha, i told him to buy me a few dvd sets and ship them back home to me!
mostly it depends on where they're at, microwaveable meals are good, too. i got my husband one of those microwaveable rice/pasta cooker things, he used it today and told me its the best thing ever, because it allows him to eat something freshish. i sent rice, pasta noodles, and spaghetti sauce with it too.
Re: Something for our troops
A couple of my friends who are in the military told me that they love baby wipes. Ahhhhh just like strippahs. But my guy friend told me that they get filthy and need some wipes. I know I'll be sending some next week.
Re: Something for our troops
heheh.....you're absolutely correct, Miss Blayze.....I should have specified further.....my Cousin lives in (no joke) an abandoned shopping mall in Baghdad.....they only get to FOB Liberty ever-so-occasionally....so junk food and dvd's are on the "request list"......Haha, the X-Files....they ROCK! (does that make me a nerd?) I just love them.....the cousin is die-hard into "Rescue Me"; and he wasn't able to acquire that there for whatever reason, so I picked it up at target and sent it on over. Man oh man, have your husband pick up some cheap-o dvd's for me too!
Microwaveable cooker, you say? Can you direct me to where I might purchase one of those? I send the guys some of those noodle bowls that you just add water and toss in the microwave; but something that allows you to cook things to your own preference, now that'd be great! If they're not too horribly expensive, I'll send a few on over! :o)
Does anyone know why soldiers want the Gold Bond in the blue bottle? My cousin asked for it recently, and said that only other soldiers would understand the problem with unwanted guests....and he wouldn't give me any more information!!! He made it sound like they have fleas or something! I sent a few bottles; but I am just dying of curiousity now!
Re: Something for our troops
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kitsune83
Does anyone know why soldiers want the Gold Bond in the blue bottle? My cousin asked for it recently, and said that only other soldiers would understand the problem with unwanted guests....and he wouldn't give me any more information!!! He made it sound like they have fleas or something! I sent a few bottles; but I am just dying of curiousity now!
Chafing. The sweat dries on your skin leaving the salt behind. You can sweat more than a quart an hour. The salt abrades the skin and maes you more than miserable. So gold bond on the Ball sack and crack of the ass. To tame that.See you wearing a tshirt, ACU top, Iterceptor body armor with plates, then equipment. This holds in heat and prevents evaporations. The sweat runs down your torso to your beltline and legs.
Re: Something for our troops
What about powdered milk? is that acceptable to send?
Re: Something for our troops
they have powdered milk in their MREs, and most of them dont drink it. at least, not any of the guys i know!
and the microwaveable cooker thing i found at walmart too, for like 8 dollars. its in the cooking section by the microwaves. haha. you can also get them online, but a lot of the online stores want 25+ for them. i know target has one as well. i can' tfind it on walmart.com, but here is target's link: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...sin=B0007M2BMQ
and yeah, the blue bottle gold bond is for chafing.
Re: Something for our troops
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Crow2
What about powdered milk? is that acceptable to send?
Would you drink it?
Re: Something for our troops
Quote:
Originally Posted by
lilithmorrigan
Would you drink it?
I have.
Re: Something for our troops
Quote:
Originally Posted by
blayze
they have powdered milk in their MREs, and most of them dont drink it. at least, not any of the guys i know!
and the microwaveable cooker thing i found at walmart too, for like 8 dollars. its in the cooking section by the microwaves. haha. you can also get them online, but a lot of the online stores want 25+ for them. i know target has one as well. i can' tfind it on walmart.com, but here is target's link:
and yeah, the blue bottle gold bond is for chafing.
Thanks. I would not want to send them stuff they already have and don't want! :)
Re: Something for our troops
Of course! chafing!......that makes sense....the way my cousin worded his request made it sound a little bit mysterious.....Thanks for answering my question, that was just bugging me to no end.....I guess it's time to go to walmart and pick up some cookers, that's just an ingenious invention!
Re: Something for our troops
ooo, another thing my husband said they LOVE are those spraybottle/fan things. i dont know what they're called... but they squirt water and have battery operated fans attatched, so it helps keep them cooler.
Re: Something for our troops
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Crow2
I have.
That doesn't answer my question really. I have drank it too.. doesn't mean I ever would again.