i mean i read in one question about what to put in a care package and some say DVD's and CD's....but do they really have time to listen to music and watch movies? And read?
2006-09-07 13:52:30 · 10 answers · asked by ♥Brown Eyed Girl ♥ 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
just wondering because my boyfriend is going to Iraq next August and i want to start getting things around
2006-09-07 14:05:48 · update #1
My Husband is over there now. His 3rd time. He craves stuff from home,like PB and Jelly,crackers,salami,and depending on if he has a can with a microwave...I found some great microwavable meals from Hamburger Helper,His favorite,haha! You just add water and microwave for Strognaff and Cheeseburger Mac. My hubby says the food is horrible there,and they fry and burn everything. If you send cookies,or homemade items,put a pice of bread in the package with them,it makes the cookies stay fresh longer and holds moisture in the box. I make him scrapbooks of us,and our girls,and we mail those over. If thats to much,they have programs like Photoshow,that you can create slideshows to music with your pictures and burn it to a CD. He loves those. Just soem thoughts,if you need anything IM me at billyscountrygirl.
Also,keep yourself busy,join a gym,classes,just keep yourself busy and the time will go by faster. Good luck!!
P.S. When he gets there,tell him to ask about the "free phone",my husband found one,and they can call home FREE. Its a inside thing. Most bases have them.
2006-09-07 16:01:20 · answer #1 · answered by Holly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, please send the DVD's and CD's. In my unit we were constantly busy but virtually everyone had a personal DVD player. Like other people have mentioned the basics (toothbrushes etc.) are nice but 99% of the guys going over there do actually plan ahead and bring enough to last a year. I still have deoderant from my 2005 rotation. Also we have been there so long we have little PX's where they can get that stuff. I would suggest either getting involved with a group like adopt a platoon or anysoldier.com and see if you can get a specific list. Just send whatever would make your day a little better and they will be happy. Please just do not treat it like a canned food drive!!! Not to sound ungrateful but I was sick and tired of getting everyone's leftover crap from the states when they were cleaning out the fridge or garage. It doesn't help getting a 10 year old tube of hotel toothpaste.
2006-09-07 17:12:52 · answer #2 · answered by SL 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do is wait for him to get to his deployment site and let you know what he would like to have sent. He will have time to get to a phone or puter for email, but the lines are usually so long it can take hours to get on a phone to call home so don't expect many calls. Lines are usually a little shorter for the puters. Even if you email him every day still send a hand written letter at least every week or two, and get his friends and family to send letters also. It is pretty discouraging to sit and watch others get letters and you don't get any. You can keep him up to date on day to day life by email, make the letters more personal. Letters you can carry around and reread when you are feeling lonely. Don't tell him anything bad that can wait until he gets home. It is bad enough being there, and feeling helpless makes it worse. I was over there last year with the Navy Seabee's. No, I didn't serve time aboard a ship, Seabee's are attached to the Marines. Where they went, so did we.
2006-09-07 15:32:41 · answer #3 · answered by cpl_dvldog 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The most important thing to put in care packages, and I am an Army Veteran, are toiletries and other amenities. The soldiers do have time to do things, but most of their time will be spent writing e-mails (if possible) or letters home, or trying to occupy their time with other things.
Depending on the location of the soldier, you may be able to send a music cd, but it is not recommended. books, are definately a plus during downtime, because it gives the soldier something to keep his/her mind off the war around him/her.
For forward deployed (combat) soldiers, who often don't have the chance to do alot, the amenities as I stated before, toiletries and even hard non perishable candies are welcome. Try not to send chocolate. It doesn't hold too well in the 100-120 degree heat!
Hope this helps!
-Jason
2006-09-07 14:05:44 · answer #4 · answered by Jason 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They will have some time to relax. Just how much they have is dependant on mission, threat level and other external factors. However the chain of command does all that it can to ensure that Soldiers have some time to unwind and relax. It is not uncommon for them to have Internet time and phone calls. Sending things to your Soldier is the most important thing you can do. It tends to raise moral more than anything else. So keep the packages in the mail.
2006-09-07 14:39:35 · answer #5 · answered by Lilly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They get time "off" after pulling duty. Depending on MOS (job) they work in shifts. It also depends on their unit. They all get a little "free time" though. Just not much. However, they have to have time to relax or they'd all go nuts. They can sit and watch a movie before going to bed for the night or listen to music before shifts as well as reading a book. They're all great things to send a soldier to help him pass time, relax and feel a little bit at home. Duty and mission always come first though.
2006-09-07 14:01:17 · answer #6 · answered by HEartstrinGs 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sure they do. A soldier can't fight 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.
F- Neddie
2006-09-07 13:55:30 · answer #7 · answered by John Skerry II 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They have time for that. They love gettin that stuff, My husband did anyway
2006-09-07 14:42:49 · answer #8 · answered by cnkbrum 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They don't need no hand outs.
2006-09-07 13:54:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
maybe life
2006-09-07 13:54:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋