Care Packages: Sending items to deployed friends

[cfortune]

I have a buddy who was deployed in Afghanistan last month. He gave me his address and I'd like to send him a package.

I know I can send him cookies n' shit but can I send him some spare stuff I have lying around? I have a shitload of Surefire 123 batteries, a Troy modular aluminum vertical grip in FDE, and some new in wrapper PMAGs (both M2 windowed and M3 mags).

He is in the Navy as a corpsman but has been training and was deployed with Marines.

I only get a chance to talk to him on FB every once in a while so I figured it'd be best to ask here, being a civilian and all.

[fitz19d]

Don't send alchohol, gag gift dildo's, and certain other things. If you're unlucky they can get in trouble for it. Very early on in Iraq friend had all kinds of wierd stuff sent to him but after things got "boring" the rules also got stricter/enforced and had to be more cautious about what was sent from what I was told.

One big one depending if he has to actually go afield would be toiletries and other hygiene type stuff. Wet wipes etc.

[trlcavscout]

Hard candies and such is good to have. When I came home I sent the biggest box I could ship full of jolly ranchers, Copenhagen, mints, small stuff like that.

[usmctarzan]

Magazines/ books, snacks, jerkey, dip/ smokes, toiletries like fitz said, boot socks, gloves, underwear, coffee. All I can think of off the top of my head.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cfortune]

Thanks guys. I'll stick to that stuff then.

I see PMAGs are ITAR controlled so that's definitely a no go.

[USMC_5-Echo]

The easiest way to figure out what you can and cannot send is to ask them. They should be able to get a list from their command that shows the dos and don'ts. I got one form my command and sent it to my family when I was deployed.

[Scanker19]

Nothing will make a day like getting some EZ cheese anda box of cheese itz.

[nogaroheli]

Nothing will make a day like getting some EZ cheese anda box of cheese itz.

Or some Oreos, those are at the PX for like six whole minutes when they come in. I'd do awful things for some of those and wheat thins. Depending on where he is certain things are harder to get than other places. I'd ask him what he has a hard time getting. Things from home are awesome.

I just got one with mountain bike, gun and "other" magazines, a colorado flag and mug, some home made cookies and chap stick and it was perfect.

[rbeau30]

Listerine looks a lot like rum.... Just sayin' Little bit o' shrink wrap over the top. (EDIT: I am just kidding. This could get people in trouble)



Ohh... but seriously. Hand held snacks... stuff easy to shove in your pocket that won't melt and get all slimy. That is what I liked.


I also loved to keep a pocket full of water flavorings (kool aid/gatorade, etc). I was in a place where once a month we would get mail in, and this always made my day. Drinking a shit ton of water without any flavor sucks day in and day out.

[Mick-Boy]

As noted, magazines (and a lot of other weapons parts/accessories) are ITAR controlled. Also, an FMF corpsman won't be carrying a rifle in most cases.

Usmctarzan and USMC_5-Echo are spot on. Option A should be to ask what he needs. Option b would be the list that usmctarzan posted. Little packets of flavoring like Rbeau30 mentioned (also the Starbucks VIO instant coffee) are winners.

Remember that mail to most of the FOBs and COPs usually runs about two weeks. Perishable items should be avoided. If he's in Helmand, things that won't handle heat should be avoided (It's been in the 80s/90s down there already this year).

Booze and porn are on the no-go list. Don't send either unless you both know and accept the risks of getting caught.

[Rabid]

You can not send pork into the country but refried beans and corn labels glue really well to "tactical bacon" type cans.

[tmleadr03]

Socks. That area will eat socks like crazy. Well that and wearing boots over the socks while humping around all damn day.

Hard candies like said. Easy to pocket snacks. Magazines.


The ez cheese and crackers? I have made a meal out of that before. Only so many times I want to rip into a MRE.

[centrarchidae]

The last package I sent, cigars and Starbucks Via packets were a huge hit.

Double- check with the post orifice before sending Surefire batteries. USPS has been having heartburn about lithium barriers being hazardous or some such.

Sent from my rotary-dial shoe.

[00tec]

When my brother was in the Corps, I sent him a few pillow cases, socks, candy, and a PSP. Then I packed everything in Ziploc bags and filled the excess space in the box with playground sand (he was in Afghanistan).
His sargeant threatened to kill me (jokingly), so next batch of packages he got one with sand too. This was also back when the rules were a bit looser, so they may or may not have received one of those gag gift blow up dolls. Everyone had a good laugh.

[Dave]

When I was in Afghanistan the best box I ever got had some Harley and chopper mags, double stuff Oreos, Frito scoops with a can of jalepeno cheese dip, big bag of Jolly Ranchers, black cotton socks, can of Tang, deodorant and a Sam's Club sized package of baby wipes. Do not send booze or porn, they can get the recipient into some serious trouble. Chocolate candies will melt and get nasty.

[asmo]

Oreos, socks, Starbucks coffee (even if they don't like it the can barter kit), baby wipes..

[wctriumph]

A friend of my daughter that was in Iraq always asked for toilet paper and Tic-Tac breath mints.

[Redcon1]

Taco bell fire sauce packets, they are free and work on everything! My wife sent them by the box full.

[jerrymrc]

One other thing. The USPS has APO/FPO flat rate boxes that are the cheapest way to go. I get them on post but most PO's have them.

[tmleadr03]

Taco bell fire sauce packets, they are free and work on everything! My wife sent them by the box full.


Damn, forgot that. Most of the food you get in the field is so bad it makes you like tobasco. Even if you don't like spice. Hot sauce. Good idea.

[rbeau30]

Taco bell fire sauce packets, they are free and work on everything! My wife sent them by the box full.

Damn, forgot that. Most of the food you get in the field is so bad it makes you like tobasco. Even if you don't like spice. Hot sauce. Good idea.

Especially now that they no longer have the tabasco bottles in the MREs anymore I don't think.

[tmleadr03]

Especially now that they no longer have the tabasco bottles in the MREs anymore I don't think.

That sucks. I was always hording those in the field when I wasn't with the Army Rangers.

[vossman]

High quality toilet paper and moist wipes.

[rbeau30]

High quality toilet paper and moist wipes.


Hey!

It takes skill to utilize a 2" x 1" x 1/4" square of 1-ply when you don't have one of those clean-break mornings!