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Red Warrior's Journal: Give a soldier a hand 18

Journal by Red Warrior
In the irony department, took my son and visited my grandparents house today. Had just heard that my uncle from Alaska was in town for the weekend and had his new (well less than a year old, anyway) daughter with him. So...While we're there, I find out that his son (my cousin) Barry is...in Iraq. In the unit that my unit will be replacing... (OK, so I'm not the most proactive in keeping up with family gossip. That was one of the benefits of being married.) They were told they'd be there for 6 months. It will almost that much longer before we replace them.
Poor SOB got out of the Army a couple years ago, and joined the FL national guard to help get through college.

Anyway, a few people inquired about decent things to put in care packages a while back, so there is a list at the end of this JE.

For those looking to do something direct:
To Do:
1. Volunteer at a USO station at an airport
2. Join a local family support group (don't need to be family!) - See a national guard armory near you.

Some sites of potential interest:
http://www.opgratitude.com/
http://www.operationsoldiersupport.org/CarePackages.html
(more ideas)
http://www.goodygiftbox.com/military.html
http://www.treatsfortroops.com/aboutus.html
http://www.athensplus.com/moms.htm
http://anysoldier.us/ --I don't believe that you can actually mail to "any soldier" anymore -darn it! - but some good ideas on things to send
http://www.usometrodc.org/contents.html

And if you're shopping for me...this

Care Package Stuff
hiking socks
paperback books (SciFi/fantasy always good)
general interest magazines
home town newspaper
toilet paper
baby oil
foot powder
gum & snack foods that don't melt or go bad
a handwritten "thank you" letter
FMs (no, not "field manuals")
razors & razor blades
disposable cameras
gatorade/energy drink mix
energy bars
Gel Boot Insoles
White Socks
Underwear
Eye Drops
Bug Repellant
Pain Creams
Baby Wipes (flat packs)
Shampoo
Liquid Bath Soaps
ToothPaste
Tooth Brushes
Deodorant
Shaving Cream Powder/(include Brush, if possible)
Mini Mag-Lite w/red lens
Mini Mag-Lite Headband
Sunglasses
Batteries ( AAA, AA, C & D )
Plastic Storage Boxes ( 6"x9" )
Zip-Loc Bags
Sharpie Pens
Ink Pens (no gel ink)
Spiral Notepads (9.5"x6")
Envelopes
Postage Stamps
Over-the-counter Meds
Beef Jerky
Summer Sausage
Tuna in a Pouch
Hard Candies
Pudding Snacks
Dark Medium Towel
Dark Washcloth
Body Cooling Products
Foot Powder
Sun Block
Lip Balm (with uv Block)
Dried Fruits
Nuts
Boxed Snacks (non-melting)

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Give a soldier a hand

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  • OK, what *do* you mean by FMs?

    And does "general interest" for magazines also include, say, "adult male interest", if you catch my drift?

    And you *will* be sure to e-mail me the address that I need to use when I send my goodies your way. That's not a request, that's an order!

    *smooch*

    ....Bethanie....
    • OK, what *do* you mean by FMs?

      Sorta where you were drifting in your next question .The M stands for magazine. The F stands for what F usually stands for. wink, wink, nudge, nudge, saynomore. Should probably be separately wrapped & id'ed so as to not annoy the person standing next to the lucky soul at mail call.

      "general interest" is basically anything that you can think of, other than the above. Personnaly, I'd skip overly political publications (regardless of slant), as they will likely annoy a sizable

      • Well, if that's not proof that I was, at one point, blonde, then I don't know what is. Glad they made your list, though -- I was a little worried a) that they might not be allowed and b) that you hadn't put them on your list of "things to send me out in the desert".

        I can't wait to get my hands on your goodies!

        Your mouth, too, dear. Don't forget the mouth!!

        ....Bethanie....
      • So, let me get this straight, you do NOT want a copy of FM 17-95?
  • I'd buy you the Coulter doll if you promised to do something like put a couple M16 rounds into it...

    Throwing it into a burning vehicle would also be acceptable ;-)
  • would this be of use to you? i know someone who in the past made 'troop cooler' neckbands- basically, it's a tube of fabric with water-absorbent beads in it, designed to swell and absorb sweat, wicking it away from the back of your neck and keeping the soldier cooler. If you're interested, i'll make you one.

    And i will check with bethanie for your address- maybe we can include things like printouts of people's slashdot journal entries if you'd like!

    Seriously, thanks for letting us know, and i'd remind

    • Those "troop cooler" neckbands rock. They actually officially issue them on occassion, so it's hit & miss, but they are *always* very appriciated. Sombody is always overlooked when they are issued.

      I think I'll be going pretty light on the FM's, by and large. What with being the commander, and setting the tone in a mixed gender unit and all. Also, I've noticed over the last few months that an astounding % of my soldiers are very, and sincerely, religious[1]. I'm not opposed to offending someone, if that

      • Also, I've noticed over the last few months that an astounding % of my soldiers are very, and sincerely, religious[1].

        [snip]
        [1]I have some theories on this, that I'm playing around with. Suffice it to say, that there is a LARGE % that is very devout.

        I would be interested in hearing your theories; even if it's offensive. I'll still respect you. After all, I am asking you for your opinion. All I ask is that if it is offensive, then try to be kind about it. I'm genuinely curious, because I thought that that %

        • Oh, I'm sure the % is in the minority. It's just MUCH larger than any other units I've been in. Some thoughts I've been playing around with (without attaching any validity whatsoever to them:
          • I'm in a support (as opposed to combat arms) unit. Is the sort of soldier who goes into a support unit more/less likely to be religious?
          • Does the environment of a support unit lead to more people being open about thier faith(s)?
          • Does the fact that this unit has a (relatively) high % of minorities & women have an impa
          • Support? What do you do exactly? My Co-worker is in support. He writes back often joking that he's over there to "do laundry". His group is the clothes/sheets/tents/etc.. washers. You might be replacing him. Just curious.

            -Ab
            • Your friend sounds like he's at Corps or Army level. I'm part of a support battalion for a separate armor brigade. Basically, we are "divisional support" for a non-divisional unit.
              We transport stuff, fix stuff (maintenance of vehicles), fix people (medical). I'm in HHC. We coordinate stuff. If you go here [army.mil], click on the FM's (boring definition :- ) link, and go to FM 63-1, that's what we do.
          • Could it have something to do with where the more devout troops live?

            I've noticed in Washington especially outside Seattle that the faithful are much more likely to be quite devout than in other parts of the country.

            In particular I know that both the Olympia area and Stanwood/Camaino Island have large active evangelical communities.
            • Very possible.
              We're located in the same building (between the PI building and the Ballard bridge) as the Brigade Headquarters. When I was a BDE staff weenie, I didn't notice any of the devoutness that I have seen here. However, 1) I was a STAFF weenie, and 2) The fact that we drill in the same building doesn't mean that we pull soldiers from the same geographic areas. And, we do have a large # who come from the Olympia area.

              I haven't looked at that before. Interesting idea.

    • i hope that makes sense.
      I believe that it makes sense. You appear to be saying that you want to be supportive of people, & that you want to be supportive without compromising your beliefs. I would have it no other way.

      If you can legitimately have different feelings & beliefs about 2 seperate groups of people, then more power to you!
  • Is it true that men are requesting pantyhose [to keep the bugs away from their skin] & maxipads [to absorb the perspiration in their helmets]?
  • One of my co-workers has been over there since the original move out. We send him (and his regiment/platoon/barracks, not particularly sure about the groupings in the military) the list. The things he (and his other soldier-type friends) enjoys most are:
    - Reading material (avoid political crap)
    - snack foods (he's particular to almonds)
    - WETNAPS(c). Lots and lots of wetnaps.
    - Letters, pictures, other personal stuff.
    - toilet paper/tissues/cough drops (it's really dry there)
    - WETNAPS
    - s
  • I will be sending some stuff off. Thanks.
    Do NOT send insured or registered. This surprised me. Brian has to go to base camp to get these items and he does not go there very often at all. On the Customs form, careful wording helps. Stating "2-Way radios, value $100" draws attention, where "Toys, value $10" may not. Send in easy to handle boxes (say under 10 pounds) and wrap like Godzilla will handle it because he will.

Excellent day to have a rotten day.