Were you the first to break ground on your deployment?

2018-05-18T12:30:46-04:00

I have deployed before but have no experience in a deployed environment in it's very beginning stages and am now looking at it from the perspective of a military spouse wanting to take care of their loved one. Regular mail and a PX may not be available so I really want to help her get as prepared as possible.

What are some items, recommendations, tips, suggestions or ways in which life could be made as comfortable as possible? I'm talking about personal space in general & ways in which you "decorated" while living in a tent. In all areas of hygiene for a woman. Things you hadn't thought of bringing but that you wish you had. Things you wish you had brought more of. What are some ways you amped up those MREs or what filling and delicious food and snacks (not junk food) that could be easily made and/or also last the duration of the deployment?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 18 at 2018 12:45 PM

2018-05-18T12:45:42-04:00

I've been on a few "build up" deployments. I can't speak to the hair issue, it's nice to just cut it all off and not worry about it. Here are a few things that were different on a "young FOB".
- Toilet paper, the Army seems to seriously underestimate the amount of toilet paper to be used. Have loved ones send a roll or two in each care package.
- Baby wipes, Kandahar didn't have showers when I got there, neither did Q-West in Iraq. The initial weeks of a deployment may require baby wipe baths until you can build facilities.
- Books, if your unit doesn't have the resident satellite guru and you don't have a local to set up shop, you most likely won't have the internet in your off time. Bring books, in fact, get a Kindle and download ALL the free promotional books you can find in your preferred genre, buy a few, and have your loved ones send paperbacks when you get close to running out.
- Bring a laptop, even if you don't have internet at first, you may end up with increasingly able services or you just might want to start writing when you run out of books. As services become increasingly available you will have it available to start taking college classes.
- Snail mail supplies, you would be surprised how much people enjoy receiving a hand written letter. It's a lost art. Find it again.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 18 at 2018 3:30 PM

2018-05-18T15:30:26-04:00

It might be beneficial if your unit takes power tools with them. To include electric saws and extra blades.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2018 3:43 PM

2018-05-18T15:43:02-04:00

During my first husband's deployment to Iraq for OIF I, my care packages ALWAYS included non-perishable food items because they got sick of MREs, hot As and when they finally got a mess tent, it was set up right next to an open sewer and didn't inspire the personnel to really "dig in" to all their meals. I also sent out hygiene products (he took enough to get him through 90 days, the standard, but by me sending more, he didn't have to worry about PX availability, or the fact that back then, there was no Eagle Cash Card, so he didn't have to pull extra pay advances) and pictures of the kids - hardcopy. I was lucky enough that he was signal and had access to internet from day one, so communication was easy for me compared to most spouses, but my friends were gathering letters and cards and whatnot from everyone that was nearby to include in the packages. I also included cards for my ex to send back to the kids with his handwriting and the military return address, as well as to send to his family.

Response by 1SG Jeremy Evans made May 18 at 2018 4:31 PM

2018-05-18T16:31:21-04:00

Hot sauce, Solar Shower, and poncho liner. Life is good.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2018 7:52 PM

2018-05-18T19:52:08-04:00

I'm a Seabee so yes many times more then not...

Response by PO1 Gery Bastiani made May 19 at 2018 1:26 PM

2018-05-19T13:26:55-04:00

personal hygine, tooth paste, soap, foot powder, tooth brushes, sewing kit, toilet paper, socks, maybe packs of crackers "nabs" , slim Jims, beef jerky, etc.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2018 8:11 AM

2018-05-20T08:11:23-04:00

- 550 cord: seems tactical, but has a TON of uses, especially for setting up privacy screens in a tent
- 100mph tape/duct tape: same as the 550 cord. You can build a nuclear bomb out of duct tape
- PONCHO LINER (at least one, two is better): This is a MUST HAVE
- Poncho: This thing is a relic, but works great for setting up a privacy screen
- Nails: seriously. Small box of nails. There will be wood around. The person who has the supplies to build a shelf is a GOD...or goddess as the case may be
- Multi-tool: This is usually issued. See the above reference to building things.
- Wipes: Baby wipes. This is a no-brainer. Buy the flat ones...no hard container...they don't fit in bags as well
- Batteries: Figure out what devices she has and buy 5 times what the thing needs. Put them in separate plastic bags. AAAs in one, AAs in another, D's in another, etc.
- Plastic bags: If she is going to be truly expeditionary, then things are going to get wet. Wet things are bad. Everything that is packed should be put into a plastic bag. More plastic bags should be packed as well. 1 gallon size. When I deployed in an expeditionary role, I had individually packaged changes of clothes (boxers, socks and a tshirt). When I changed, they went back in the plastic bag until I could wash them.
- Bucket: Get a bucket that fits in the bottom of a duffle bag. It needs to be wide enough to fit perfectly in the duffle. That bucket is her washing machine. Speaking of which, buy individual packages of laundry detergent. Small ones.
- Bar soap: No liquid soap. That crap will blow up in a packed bag that is thrown, dragged and dropped off of vehicles.
- Deployment pillow: inflatable is probably the best since it can roll up and stow easy. No big pillows. They take up too much space.
- Mesh bag: at some point there will be laundry services. She will need a laundry bag. If not...this will come in handy at some point.
- Bug repellent: There will be issue repellent, but that stuff is death in a can. Get the normal stuff with DEET.
- Binder Clips: Those black ones. Some people call them alligator clips. Either way. They hold things together well...like 550 cord and ponchos
- Cigarettes or chewing tobacco: She might not use either. That's good. These things are worth more than money after about a month. It may sting the sensibilities at first, but someone going through nicotine withdrawal can be your best friend or make trade for something you need.
- Hard candy: Again, you said healthy, but you're expeditionary. It's amazing what a bag of Jolly-Ranchers can do for your morale, and the morale of your team
- Universal adapter: get one from a travel store. It has to be able to fit and convert from/to every conceivable power outlet
- Extension cord: There may only be one outlet in a tent. If she isn't next to it, she's screwed.
- Converter/multiple outlet: My brain is not working, what do you call something that you plug into a socket and it has more than one power outlet on it. It's on the floor and you can plug multiple electronic items into it. One of those. Always bring one of those. Same reason as the extension cord.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jun 19 at 2018 3:27 PM

2018-06-19T15:27:57-04:00

Yep...done a bare base buildup before.

Pack protein bars in and around in every little crevass you can find...they come in handy and last and usually the heat doesn't bother them. Pack some gatorade packets, crystal light and other flavors to add some flavor to the water...it gets old quick. Pack some other tradable items as mentioned below. you can usually trade pens, pencils, cigarettes etc for anything you want. Pack parachute cord...you can use it for anything but especially for a clothesline and a privacy wall in a tent. Which leads me to an extra sheet for that privacy wall. As far as other things for women, I don't know. Good luck.