Are you, or were you, in the U.S. Navy?

Question

If you have served on a ship recently, I'd be interested in finding out what you wanted and needed while out to sea. I have "adopted" a sailor on the USS Eisenhower (they are now heading for the Persian Gulf) and I'd like to get some good ideas of things to send him. I don't know the guy, and I have no way of contacting him to see what he would like. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

now this I can help you with...I put 8 years in the Navy...5 of those on ships out to sea.

Books, find books...Not sure if he likes to read but he can trade them or give them away.

Candy: Send hard candy like jolly ranchers
magazines are good.
****Most Important a note from you and your friends family etc...Not just telling him but the whole SHIP great job.
I recieved a package much like yours from a Man in California he got a bunch of people to sign a SuperBowl 2003 tee-shirt saying wish you were here and best of luck. I still have that tee-shirt.

Music cds are good too. but most have a collection out there lol
Those little debbie oatmeal pies...I sold a box of those once for 40 bucks LOL...

i will reply more in a few.

Answer 2

I served in the gulf for 2 years on the USS LaSalle (AGF-3) at the time flagship for the 5th fleet. I would say he will want home cooked foods brownies,cookies,and the always appreciated porn be it video or magazine. News of whats going on in the world as they will only have armed forces TV for news. So send some news mags as well. Otherwise all they get is the party line. Port calls will be few once he's in the gulf. So your his main source to the outside world.

Answer 3

I wasn't Navy recently, but I'll tell you that I always liked letters from home and my mom's cookies. I even got a few of them sometimes ;)
The Navy takes care of little things like clothing and food,which is pretty good..especially on a large ship like Eisenhower. Personal electronics were not allowed on my ship due to security.
the Ike has email and a public relations officer...
You may want to contact her with your adopted sailor's name and find out what you can do...

IKE Public Affairs Officer, LCDR Carla McCarthy, at [e-mail]

Answer 4

Hmmm... A CVN sailor. Dang! He's got a pretty good posting! Send him recordings on the States. Of regular people. Of you, wishing him well, and letting him know how much you appreciate him. Send him cookies. Yes! We really do like cookies from home! What a sailor wants is to know that we are pulling for them, here in the States. They love us, and want to be loved right back.

Answer 5

well, i am a girl so i cant tell you what i needed...but my hubby was on a ship and i have many male sailors friends....i have heard them complain that they dont have enough deoderant ( when you are working on a ship 14 hours a day, you tend to get stinky ), alot of them forget to buy enough stamps, paper, pens and envelopes so they can write home, some of them want to know whats going on in the outside world so send them a newspaper or even some magazines...my husband always complained it stunk so bad in their berthings and there were no airfresheners, so i would send a few of those


well,, i hope that helps..all this info is info that i got straight from male sailors mouths...

Answer 6

my husband was navy (on a ship the first time) and is army now. the things he always asks for when he is deployed: homemade cookies, good snacks (that's a hard one since you don't know what he likes), playing cards (my husband went through 6 decks in 7 months)... he loves letters. it seems to me that it's a thrill just to get mail as well. and keep in mind if he doesn't like what you send him - chances are someone will and he can give it to them or trade or something - i know my husband used to do that a lot. new movies! that is one it doesn't really matter what he likes, they will be thrilled to add a new one in, they get very tired of seeing the same ones over and over. south park tends to be a big hit... you're generally golden if you get a comedy (i'd suggest "click" or "thank you for smoking" as new ones right now).

i would deffinately write him a letter asking his interests so next time you can send him exactly what he wants.

Answer 7

I was in the Navy a long time ago. (NO, we didn't have wooden ships then.) But all of the answers before me got everything I was going to say. Can't express enough about letters from home. You are doing a great thing. Tell him how much we all appreciate what they are doing.

Answer 8

My bf is US Navy, retired. He served on Destroyers for most of his career.

Sailors can always use AA batteries, hand-held electronic games, disposable cameras, notepaper and pens, CDs & DVDs, hard candies, chewing gum, beef jerky, Fabreze (showering can sometimes be infrequent if their ship can't expend the time or energy to make fresh water), sports magazines, paperback books, etc...

Answer 9

first off thank you thats my husbands ship and they are in the persian gulf already. do you have his name and his rate rank and department. my hubby may be able to get an email address feel free to email me through the site

Answer 10

try to be as describre as possible like put their rank (last, first m) also put division if u know
ex" SR Joe Dole
Supply S-2
USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER CVN 69 FPO AE 09532-2830

with correct name shall reach the boat togher with that correct fpo address however if u dunno his division mail might get any deparment or unclaim carrier can be difficult