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What to get somone deploying?

Nectaris

Nectaris

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Co-worker is going to Afghanistan in a couple weeks and we are having a get together for him. What kinds of things should we get for gifts? Are phone/calling cards still good? Do they still have the wetwipe shortage?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
You'd probably be better off waiting a bit and mailing it over. In my experience, there wasn't much room to put anything after getting all my gear packed. But, cigarettes/chew, beef jerky, and small snacks never go to waste.
 
I have to agree with CMAC on that one.. the last thing you want to do is bring MORE stuff. Especially if theyre in the army.....they really load you down!!! a couple of quick items come to mind though.. first thing, make a box and tell your service member that you will ship it as soon as they get over seas. Second, wet wipes are ALWAYS useful... even if you have shower facilities. Another suggestion is DVDs, as AFN programming ( when you get it) is usually very limited. A last though, if they have internet at the base... would be to pay for the net for a few months. I paid 65 dollars a month to have internet, and while it was still a rip off, Id pay it any day for the contact with home. If your going to do calling cards make SURE they are international calling... 100 minutes of long distance US lasts about 4 minutes. I wish your co worker the best!!! and thank him for his time
 
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll let the other co-workers know. It's free to mail to a service member over seas right? That makes mailing the box an even better idea.

Speaking of movies, I wonder if Netflix works over there?
 
Negative on the free shipping...but it's much cheaper than sending a package internationally as once the package hits the APO in the 'States the military airlift takes over. I believe that the Post Office even has flat rate boxes specifically for APO addresses. Now there are some things that you should NOT send, and that is any porn or even any material with scantily clad women (Maxim, SI Swimsuit Issue) as General Order #1 typically prohibits anything that the host country deems offensive. It's best to find out what not to send as if the service member gets caught with any contraband they take the hit...and the chain of command doesn't play around in the AOR as they hand out Article 15's like they are candy. Don't know about the Netflix as the URL could be blocked for obsene content.

Nectaris said:
It's free to mail to a service member over seas right? That makes mailing the box an even better idea.

Speaking of movies, I wonder if Netflix works over there?
Click to expand...
 
On the calling cards make sure they are for use in Iraq or Afghanistan. Not all cards are. Send me a PM and I can send you some calling cards for him that you can give to him.
 
USPS flat rate boxes are your best friend for shipping to APO addresses. When my wife was deployed, o averaged about one a week. After two deployments, that can get expensive. I would suggest that you wait till he or she gets there and have them let you know what they want/need. Calling cards are always good. Nice thing about them is you can slip them in a card. Everyone loves getting mail. Even if its a simple hello card.
Prayers are with them all.
 
i agree. cramming all of the crap they make you deploy with in what you have sucks haha. but if you send care packages i suggest baby wipes, magazines, and whatever comfort stuff you can think off. Maybe some simple stuff. The px's over there are so pricey.
 
Depending on where they're stationed, a battery powered ipod charger is great if they're out in the boonies without power. They have AA or AAA models, AA probably being better because there easier to come across. I think I got mine at REI.com.
 
Eddie said:
Camelback hydration system.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't get him one unless he actually told me to, they are an issued item nowadays(for the Army at least). Also, he may be leaving home, but, it could be months until he's actually overseas and he'll have to lug that stuff around. I really like the DVD and Ipod charger idea. One really useful item I received was a titanium spork (from REI I think), very handy.
 
As others said, wait until he gets there and then ask him how there living and what he wants/needs. It feels better to get what you asked for then what civilians assume you need.
We had boxes full of stuff that we didn't need after raiding them for what we actually want.
Some bases have more stuff then others.

Basic hygiene stuff is always good, Ramen Noodles and other food that doesn't need to be cooked (much), batteries, water flavoring powder.
Any guy magazines: Cars, Motorcycles, Guns, GQ will find a reader (even out of date, they're fun to read).
Ask before sending MAXIM or SI Swimsuit and other magazines like that. Some places don't care as long as it's not porn, some do. Depends on the Command. Ours didn't care if it wasn't porn so I read Maxim when ever we got one in.
 
There is also a trick to calling home for FREE:
Find a DSN phone on base (Usually a few around. Some are set up for soldiers' use.)
Call a local base DSN number and tell them it's a "moral call from overseas, please connect me to a local number" and they will ask for a number to connect to (home, friends, etc).
Usually it's about 15 min and then it drops, but if the lines aren't busy they won't cut off the call.
Here are the local DSNs:
Natick Labs, MA: 312-256-4001
Hanscom, MA: 312-478-4441
Westover, MA: 312-589-1110
New Boston, NH: 312-489-2000
Portsmouth, NH: 312-684-1000

This is also a way to get full use out of a phone card: have them connect the call to the phone card number. then its US minutes being used not International.
 
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Real toilet paper! Current magazines and newspapers. We only got the AFN national news feeds, so local news is always appreciated.

Once he gets to his base, he may want some of his favorite snack foods that are not available at the PX.
 
I paid 65 dollars a month to have internet
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F'in wonderful. The US govt sends our soldiers overseas, pays them modestly (an understatement), then makes them pay for internet.

Back on topic, would a LULA be worthwhile to send?
 
MadRussian said:
There is also a trick to calling home for FREE:
Find a DSN phone on base (Usually a few around. Some are set up for soldiers' use.)
Call a local base DSN number and tell them it's a "moral call from overseas, please connect me to a local number" and they will ask for a number to connect to (home, friends, etc).
Usually it's about 15 min and then it drops, but if the lines aren't busy they won't cut off the call.
Here are the local DSNs:
Natick Labs, MA: 312-256-4001
Hanscom, MA: 312-478-4441
Westover, MA: 312-589-1110
New Boston, NH: 312-489-2000
Portsmouth, NH: 312-684-1000

This is also a way to get full use out of a phone card: have them connect the call to the phone card number. then its US minutes being used not International.
Click to expand...

I don't about the calling card thing, but I can verify the first thing about making your calls through a DSN number. Its a great trick!!!
 
Serapis said:
I don't about the calling card thing, but I can verify the first thing about making your calls through a DSN number. Its a great trick!!!
Click to expand...

I'm talking for personal experience. I used a calling card at first because I only had a California DSN number and they wouldn't connect me long distance to Mass.
 
MadRussian said:
I'm talking for personal experience. I used a calling card at first because I only had a California DSN number and they wouldn't connect me long distance to Mass.
Click to expand...

I was agreeing with you about the DSN number. I have done it before, too. Works great. Call the switchboard and they can connect you to whoever.
 

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