I am being deployed to Iraq, Any ceritan items I should bring with???

Question

I have the iPod, laptop with 150.00 Pelican Case, wicking socks and custom sling for the M4... Any other small things that make make life that much more comfy while I am there, Tell me!!! please!

Answer 1

i am here now and i would suggest...lotion, your an extra unit patch for when you hit your mark youll look squared away cuz youll have yours, lots of white socks,extra shower shoes,yours will surely break after the first few months, you will have hot water...atleast 99% of the FOBs do now. Just to put it this way...your trip from the states to actual iraq will be a hurry and wait thing...youll be in kuwait for a good minute, not to mention going to other camps until you actually get to yours. Bring ear plugs( its part of your IBAS but bring an extra pair) make sure you have a flashlight for the power occasionally goes out. When you get over here you might have a chance to buy a phone like i did. Dont bother bringing phone cards because most of the places here require certain ones. DEET...yes bring some deet..flys out here are CRAZY. My room has a fridge,microwave, and tv but me and my roomy had to buy them, once you get settled in youll want to buy those things ...bring a power adapter and a power converter...if you have a playstation or things like that youll need to convert them from 220 - 110. I actually sent my DCU's home just because i dont wear them here...or the dark brown t-shirts. The laundry here usually takes 3 days turnaround..it sucks not to be able to do it on your own but you have to adjust right?Bring every pair of eye pro they have issued you because you WILL LOSE a pair or two. Body wash definatley makes life a little easier. 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner helps also. Make sure that in your pack..you pack all of your electronic gear and things youll need in a hurry ...eye pro..underware...so and and so forth..since youll be in kuwait a while you dont want to have to search through you A, B , and C bag for everything you need....Also if you can pack everything in zip lock baggies...it takes the air out and you can fit things more effectively in your duffle. you wont know your addy until about 4 weeks in. so make sure your family knows so. USO will give you gift bags while your at the air field with playing cards, beef jerkey, **** like that...and you have to take it so keep in mind that you will be gettting more things even when your bags are already full. There are also certain sizes that your carry on bag has to be so make sure that you dont pack it too full....good luck with your travel...its a long ride so get as much sleep as you can...i think youll be making a stop in ireland...get a smoke break and stretch out take a pee in an actuall latrine.....just be patient when you leave because itll be a long wait.....good luck!!! anymore questions contact me!!

Answer 2

I'm in the box right now, and I can tell you, this is not OIF 1, this is way different. Some things I advise bringing or having friends or family ship to you are bedding, microwave safe plates, and canned foods, because a feel of home is nice.
The most important thing, is get squared away for online classes. There is someone in your company who has the answers to the distance larning program courses, I guarantee, and you may as well max out civillian ed while you are there, and be that much closer to your E5.
Also, it gets hot, but it gets cold in winter. I'll guess you are coming in around September, and It'll get cold, so bring a bear suit. You might want to bring your gore tex jacket, but not the pants. About 75% of the packing list is not necassary, and I'm on a small fob where the closest px is 3 hours away, so for bases with px's and burger king, you probably won't need anything.
Bring lots of acu undershirts and a few underarmor, and boot socks. You won't need a bible, as that is free from your chaplain, and you are better off with a PSP anyway. It's hot yeah, but you get used to it quick, but it's bright. I'd advise going to a welding supply store, and buying some shade 5 lens ballistic glasses. Your eyes will thank you.
As far as the laptop and iPod, you sound like you know the score already. If you are combat arms, get a MOLLE compatable vest to go over the IBA, so if you have to drive or be gunner, you can take off the pouches without taking off the body armor or taking all day. If not combat arms, get ready to be bored. The current mission is not so much kicking down doors like the people in your unit are talking about from last time, but rather training the Iraqi Army, so in a year don't expect to see too much action. Get a arabic and/or kurdish to english dictionary if you want to be ahead of the game. Don't worry, very few people are getting hurt this rotation, only had 1 injury in a year on my fob, and in our squadron the only death was due to rollover, so know the rollover drills. Stay safe, and keep your head up, you'll be fine

Answer 3

I am there now:

1) Lots of socks.
2) Lots of pictures of home/friends/family
3) a good didital camera for pictures to send home
4) No Perfume soaps-liquid Dove is great! (body wash is a must)
5) Good balistic sunglasses (don't skimp!)
6) all your e-mail addresses where you can get them
(there are very few places to hook up your own computer)
7) Good Weapons cleaning kit
8) consider the extended warrenty for the i-Pod
9) remember, that there is a rule about mail, you have to send some to get some. Bring all the addresses and WRITE mail home. E-mail is good but nothing compares to hand written note that says I am fine.
10) It helps to try and have a friend/relative back home who can send the stuff you come across that you need. the PX is here, but their selection is small at best.

Be Safe!

Answer 4

Things my son said was the best help to him was
baby wipes, gum or mints, small cans of food that doesn't need to be cooked,small bags of chips cause big bags goes stale before you can get a chance to eat them,small rolls of toilet paper to use when not on base. take small things cause what you have to carry already weighs you down so you don't need the extra weight. And the thing my son loved the most that I sent was a pillow to use when he came back to base after being out in the sand pit for 2 weeks at a time. ( he's a marine )
but the best thing you can do is ask a solider who was there already.

Answer 5

Your on the right track. Take a digital camera as well. You will never forget this experience. All contact info of all people you know. Good PPE, especially some sort of glasses for sandstorms. Your favorite condiment, and then have others mail it to you. One good book. That is all i can remember at the moment.

Answer 6

Depending on where you are going (dont say!!!!) you should have a PX/ BX but baby powder and hand sanitizer. Be prepared for Temps around 130- 150 gloves are a must. get one of the helmelt cooling pads they are great. Stay away from perfumed stuff, they will break you out (at least they did me) Canned air for your computer. and lots of ziplock bags.

Answer 7

Lots of plastic baggies to keep sand out of your iPod. Make sure all your warrienties are up to date and cover heat/sand damage. LOTS of batteries. Adresses of people stateside who will mail you pogebait. Paper with non-gum edging, spiral is better. A power outlet converter from Radio Shack.

My thoughts are with you.

Answer 8

Bring baby wipes! My husband had me sending him so many! There's no hot water and you don't get to shower daily and with all the sand storms, you'll need em!

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

A bomb-proof suit.