Summertime 'Stan packing list

[SA Friday]

The one thing I took to Iraq that most don't think about but it paid off was custom molded ear plugs with sound channels in them. They would allow me to talk to my team members without them having to shout and I could hear everything but whispers. Armored Humvees and MRAPS are Fn loud. Without comm gear, you can barely hear each other when rolling down the road. The ear plugs cut out all the garbage noise and I could still hear my team members. The also worked in a firefight.

Along with head injuries, sight (I wore eye protection even at night, Oakleys with multiple lenses) and hearing loss are serious issues in the war zones. Firefights are loud, explosions are even louder and pops your ear drums without hearing protection.

There are a couple of places in the front range making custom molded ear plugs with hearing channels in them. Big Ear is in the springs, and Jim and Connie Betrus (J&C Custom Ear Molds, LLC) are up north. I have sets from both and they are both great. They worked way better than headsets for me.

[DD977GM2]

If you need some carabiners, PM your address and I will sned you 6- 12. I dont climb much anymore
and they just sit in my basement and do not get used.

[cofi]

here is a nice thread on this

http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a...61/m/636104694

[mobbs]

baby wipes and reading material. i kept all of my stuff on a kindle and downloaded a ton of stuff onto it so i would always have something to read.

[mcantar18c]

Thanks for the advice and info yall. Read through the posts and links, did a shopping run, got a couple logs of Cope and some fresh homemade honey-glaze jerky packed away, and I feel like I'm as ready to go as I'm gonna get. Might be on now and then, might not... not sure how easily I'll be able to access the Internet (if at all).
See yall in a few months!

[02ducky]

Stay safe. Thanks for serving our country!!

[Mick-Boy]

Good hunting.

[jreifsch80]

Bring a hacksaw to cut up ak's into parts kits for me lol

[keylay31]

I have nothing to add as I am not in the military, but I'd love to start collection these types of items and mailing addresses to send our COAR15 members whatever they need. I could see someone sending me a request, I start a thread and we collect items/money from members until we get a good shipment. Rinse and repeat for the next member. What do you guys think? Is this a good idea or am I being naive? Long story short, I'd love to help out.

[josh7328]

I'm a bit of a POG, but If I could done anything differently, I would have packed light. It's a PITA carrying all your shit around with you when it's stuff that you never even use. I think I've got 2 FULL duffle bags under my cot right now that I haven't touched once this deployment.