My husband is deploying to Iraq in 3 weeks. (right before the holidays) :( I am really lost with what I should send with him. I'm looking for some ideas on waht he may need while he is there that the Army will not provide him with. This is our first deployment and I'm looking for any help I can get as far as some good ideas of what he may need to take with him! I have so many questions... but this is the one that is bothering me the most because I have to get him all these things by Dec1 when he leaves. My family is bugging me for ideas of things to get him too before he goes. I have no clue what to tell them. Any help would be great!!! Thank You soooo much!!
2007-11-06 04:34:40 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
what should he initially have before he ever even leaves state side. (before he ever even leaves the house really. What are some good things for him to take with him that I could buy for him as early christmas gifts? Thank you so much for the answers so far. except for the one about the body bag. Karma is a B*tch "hi"
2007-11-06 04:47:06 · update #1
Send him off with lots of photos!! Other than that wait until he gets to where he's going and then ask him what he'd like. No sense in dragging over a whole bunch of stuff if he might not need to use it.
Though one thing my dad sent to me over the holidays was a pine tree branch. That was the best thing I ever got, it smelled like Christmas at home. I did the same thing to one of my best friends when he was there over the holidays.
2007-11-06 05:44:57 · answer #1 · answered by Saucy Wench 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, all the best to you and your family. May God bless him and you for the sacrifice.
Let's see...when my husband was over there, he had a lot of trouble calling home. He said that if he went back he'd want to purchase a sattellite phone. But make sure that he has a calling card and a credit card number available to him. And then expect to wake up at 3am to hear his voice. I started sleeping in the afternoon!
He said that boredom was a huge complaint and was really happy to have taken our old laptop computer and a few dvd's. There was a guy with an x-box there too, and that helped. And he had a game boy as well. Something to do is really good. But with electronics, make sure it's something cheap/old/that you don't care about, because the sand will ruin it. We sent him magazines and books and stuff. They end up getting passed around the whole unit and they are really appreciated.
Make him a little photograph album with all your pictures in it to take. My husband spent a little while each day looking at his. And make sure you send updated pictures every few weeks.
He'll go through socks and underwear like crazy. My husband said that white was actually better in the heat. Go figure! And since he's not going to have much chance to bathe, he'll appreciate baby wipes.
Gosh...it's been a while. If I can think of anything else, I'll add to my post, or you can email me. All the best, sweetie!!!
2007-11-06 04:57:27 · answer #2 · answered by Fotomama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not send too much with him. He will have a lot of stuff that he is required to take with him. All together it amounts to about 150 to 200 pounds of equipment. So anything more that you give him, will just add to this.
My suggestion is that you send him packages throughout the deployment. It was always uplifting for me to receive mail and packages from home. In these packages are where you can put all the little things that are not available in Iraq. Make sure that you keep in contact with him so that he can let you know what it is that he needs. I once got a package of 100 tooth brushes from a church in my area. I don't think anyone will go through that many toothbrushes in 1 deployment.
2007-11-06 04:41:52 · answer #3 · answered by James W 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I sent my hubby with a small (about 3x3) photo album of pictures, an ipod Nano loaded with songs for when he worked out at the gym, and a PSP with a few games for when he got bored. Other than that, you can send him care packages throughout his deployment, so no use sending drink mixes and such right away. Beliveve me, he will tell you what he needs once he gets there!
2007-11-06 08:34:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Things my husband wanted.... mp3 player, books, personal dvd player or laptop, dominos and a deck of cards. There was days when they would do nothing.
As far as sending him food... make sure its something he can eat with his hands. Like cereal, poptarts, fruit bars, granola bars and sealed jerky. I know one wife that would send her husband the powdered presweetned tea mix.
I also sent my husband a box of thank you cards. When they are in Iraq they can mail letters for free. Everytime someone would send him a package he would send them a thank you card.
Good luck to the both of you! A soldier is a hero and from one military wife to another.... I know the ones that are left behind are heroes also. It's not an easy life but it is a proud one!!!!!
pennytalk.com has cheap phone cards..... usually 1 cent a minute.
2007-11-06 04:50:20 · answer #5 · answered by your_sunshine78 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hi my husband has also been deployed you might agree with as to how hard it is to go through something like this. i dont think anyone understands unless they are going through the situation. well really there is not much that he can really take with him but u can send him so many things, such as goodies as in food u know things like that if he has a computer he can take that with him in order to comunicate with u and u can see each other through the computer. i send my husband a care package maybe every two weeks or so it helps them cope with being away from home its like sending a little piece of home to him. well i hope this helped out a little bit and dont listen to those jerks about the body bag dont let him go with negative thoughts in your heads have hope. he'll be ok GOOD LUCK
2007-11-07 08:52:42 · answer #6 · answered by quinterogriselda 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey mine is deploying next month also :( heres somethings that we got for him to take: fleece blanket, comfy pillow, sheets, big thing of baby wipes, few things of deodorant, big thing of soap, razors, batteries, bug spray, chap stick, laundry detergent(may or may not need), shampoo, deodorant body spray(axe), tylenol, lotion, movies, phone card
many of them like to have a digital camera
when he gets there he can buy things like a game console(cheap from ppl that are leaving) so the things above are great to send in advance but wait until he gets their and see what he may buy then u can send games, and things.
good luck i know the holidays are going to be tough mine is scheduled to leave any time on or b4 christmas eve!!! errrr
2007-11-06 04:49:22 · answer #7 · answered by daisycm 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Might I suggest going to the this site........and checking out the info there!
Click here: USMC - Message Board - Yuku
http://p088.ezboard.com/bparrisisland
go all the way to the bottom and click USMC it will take you off the Parris Island part and send you to the deployment areas!
Lost of good suggestions and there are those there who know just what he needs.
Arlene
2007-11-06 12:35:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know the soldiers I send stuff to ask for splenda,and those individually wrapped crystal light packets, candy,and video games. I know you cant send pork products or porn. Good luck,I hope everything works out for you.
2007-11-06 04:43:30 · answer #9 · answered by lalalalaconnectthedots 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My wife sends our son (Camp Taji in Baghdad)....
CAndy
Beef Jerky
Toiletries
Photos
Canned items
Powdered Powerade/Gatorade
2007-11-06 04:44:24 · answer #10 · answered by geohoop 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋