Gifts for deployed soldiers?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:36:08 -0500

My daughter is dating a soldier who is currently deployed.  Periodically she comes to me as asks, “What can I send him.”  I have given her many ideas and a lot of the basic “Load Out”, but I would like to hear some good ideas about things you have sent to your loved ones or fellow soldiers or maybe items you received while deployed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2014 6:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 18:18:17 -0500

If he is stationed at some remote FOB in the middle of nowhere like I was,  then items like baby wipes come in handy, water flavor packets, baked goods, magazines, pictures of loved once, I personally loved peanut butter also.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2014 6:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 18:33:28 -0500

Definitely a picture of her wearing some article of clothing and then include that article of clothing...a shirt, something sexy. Every night he will have it next to his head, guaranteed! PS.... do not use socks for this example.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2014 7:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 19:51:58 -0500

Q-Tips!!!! We were always fighting over q-tips when I was deployed. Darned dust gets everywhere, and they come in handy for weapons maintenance. Bottles of Cholula are also appreciated.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2014 8:16 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 20:16:08 -0500

playboys and maxims are always nice gives the guy some good motivation but dont be surprised that it disappears the day it gets there i no mine did lol

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2014 9:05 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:05:09 -0500

This is my go-to gift: http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com/2010/12/think-harder-rum-cake.html. Do NOT skimp on the rum (dark and spiced). Let it cool completely, wrap it in two layers of saran wrap, then two layers of aluminum foil. It will still be in perfect condition when it gets there. Let me be sexist for a minute, but nothing says you've got a great woman like home baked stuff to share. I sent this to my husband on his recent deployment to Afghanistan and it was a massive hit.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2014 10:25 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 10:25:29 -0500

Anything from Trader Joe's!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2014 11:35 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 11:35:00 -0500

dry seasoning like miss dash, seasoning salt, or something to that effect. I love Buffalo wild wings so my wife sent me their sauces a few times.

Some one sent me a microfiber towel and i loved that thing because it dried fast and didnt take up much room in my bag or kit.

A digital picture frame with all of his favorite pictures from home so he doesnt have to take the pictures with and risk them getting ruined.

A good quality coffee travel mug or tumbler is a MUST (if he drinks coffee)

Flags, hats, shirts, anything he can put up in his area of his favorite sports teams.

and no matter how easy it is now days to talk on the phone or internet, i STILL loved getting letters from my wife!

If i think of anything else ill post it!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2014 11:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 11:38:37 -0500

Baby wipes

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 26 at 2014 9:12 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 09:12:09 -0500

Alcohol and porn are always well recieved...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2014 9:14 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 09:14:01 -0500

If he likes to read, I suggest an Amazon Kindle or Barnes and Noble Nook reader.  They are fairly cheap, have a long battery life (you don't always have a regular place to recharge at remote locations), and it lets you carry a library in your pocket.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 26 at 2014 12:20 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 12:20:05 -0500

Baby wipes, beef jerky, Smartwool socks, baby powder, power bars, and deodorant -- that would be a really solid package!

Response by SPC David Wyckoff made Feb 26 at 2014 12:20 PM

SPC David Wyckoff — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 12:20:59 -0500

I don't want to violate any rules as far as advertising or posting websites so if this is out of line then go ahead and delete it. I don't have any affiliation with this company except that I have used it for my own family and friends.

Lock and Load Java out of Salt Lake City sells whole bean and pre ground coffee. They also have a program where you can buy and send coffee directly to specific people who are deployed, if you have their APO/FPO.
If you don't know anyone then you can donate to sending coffee packages to random units that are down range.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 26 at 2014 12:21 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 12:21:05 -0500

Guys, keep in mind that he said his DAUGHTER is also putting together the care package...please try to keep comments appropriate. Thanks!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2014 8:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 20:45:47 -0500

Recently my old unit was deployed and they were only given 2 hot meals a day with the possibility of one of those going away soon. All they asked for was food, canned pasta dishes, the microwavable dinner meals, canned fruit, drink mixes like the single Hawaiian punch, or the koolaide packets. Also toiletries or ask her to have him make a wishlist from Amazon or drugstore.com those are two of the most reliable website that ship to APO's. Hope this helps

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Feb 27 at 2014 2:34 PM

TSgt Scott Hurley — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 14:34:03 -0500

Woman's nylons, So they can keep the fine dust particles out of there equipment. I heard they work well in that regard.

Response by PO3 Bill Bruzdowski made Mar 11 at 2014 4:08 PM

PO3 Bill Bruzdowski — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 16:08:36 -0400

I see others have already suggested the kindle or other e-readers. May I suggest a pre loaded subscription to a magazine he may like? Something like readers digest has short uplifting stories easy to read when time is short, or a usa today newspaper subscription can help him to keep current on goings on at home.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2014 10:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 22:01:57 -0400

I have received numerous things that can come in handy.... For instance, especially if a PX or shopette is not available.

Peanut Butter

Jerky

Audio Books (given out by the USO)

Crystal Light packets... to replenish the electrolytes and sugar intake that is lost.

An E-Reader

Baby Wipes

Hand Sanitizer

Canned Goods (Chef Boyardee, Vienna Sausages, Tuna Fish w/Crackers, Chicken Salad w/Crackers)

I feel that these are the best things to send to keep a SM happy while on deployment... Sometimes the little things in life we get are the best, especially if it isn't available.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2014 3:40 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 03:40:25 -0400

Mio

Jerky

Cereal Bars

Mac & Cheese microwave cups

Silly String! I got a big box with 15 cans of silly string once, it was a huge morale booster for the whole squad!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2014 9:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 May 2014 21:23:00 -0400

Swedish fish, Comic books, books,
The best part of a care package is the surplus to share with your buddies.

Well, and chocolate chip cookies.

Response by PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott) made Jan 23 at 2015 10:21 PM

PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott) — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 22:21:42 -0500

Beef jerky, hard wrapped candies, tooth paste, tooth brush, good toilet paper, good razors, iTunes gift card, etc. The great thing about getting one of these packages is the surprises inside!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2017 6:10 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 06:10:01 -0400

I returned from Qatar last year,while I was there we received tons of care packages from various organizations. The stuff that stood out was items like candy and jerky.but also articles of clothing with local team logos. Letters from Students and books.