Good luck! Keep you eeyes and ears open, and your head on a swivel. Try to get to know the local populace and way of life as much as is safely possible. Be street smart! The more you understand what’s going on over there, the better your chances of survival and the better your experience will be for it.
I just checked with a co-worker whose daughter is coming back from Iraq soon, and she confirmed the usefulness of chewing tobacco as a trade good–take as much as you can. Also, if you can get a new pair of tennis shoes to work out in, you should do so–you won’t be able to pick up a new pair while you’re there, probably.
My search-fu is failing me, but Sampiro started a thread a while ago asking what would be good things to send to someone deployed in Iraq. As I recall, there were good suggestions there. I think the thread was from last year.
RandMcnally, I hope you and all of your brothers and sisters in arms all have a quiet deployment and come home safe and sound. Stay safe!
Also, and this might be incorrect information, I vaguely recall something about a very low premium that is optional and some newer recruits not selecting this and missing out on big benefits. This might have also been what Bosda was referring to.
You left out the most important thing: you’ll have to go, like, 6 months without seeing me. Frankly, that’s a fate worse than war 
You also know I’ll send you whatever stuff you need, including but not limited to:
[ul]
[li]Games[/li][li]Books[/li][li]Magazines[/li][li]Gay porn.[/li][/ul]
That last one is incase you want to violate a certain rule and get sent home. I’d do it because I love you, that’s why. Oh hey, I can send that photoshopped picture I made of you having sex with Osama bin Ladin.
Wow, I sound like the worst friend ever. But that’s ok, because you loooooooooove me anyway.
Oh, remember to bring me back a camel.
And that said, you’ll be fine 
Yeah, you’ll be fine if you bring me a camel. Otherwise, I’m kicking your ass. 
Good luck, and let me join the others in saying that I hope your deployment is short and uneventual.
When you return, please let us know if this opinion changes.
When you return maybe I’ll spell better. ::smack::
uneventual = uneventful
Is it against SDMB rules to post your FPO address? If not, post it so we can all send goodies periodically to you.
Thanks to all who reply. I know I’m going to be ok, but I’m naturally a worrying person, so I’m living up to my potential.
I’m lucky in that I’m a flyer so I’ll never be running around on the ground. Most of my danger comes in RPGs and such.
But seriously, thank you all. I mean it. I shouldn’t need anything, but if I do, I will keep ya’ll in mind.
Do NOT post your FPO addy. It’s not just those of us who wish you well who may read this thread. And this is the internet, after all; fruitcakes galore, and I don’t mean the kind you get at Christmas.
Good luck, man. Watch your head, and come back safe.
You’re ground crew? I very much doubt that you’ll be in any danger. One thing about which you should be concerned is the heat. Drink lots of (clean) water.
As someone who is quite possibly a minute speck in the huge logistical tail behind you, good luck and stay safe.
One last piece of advice: if you run into any Royal Marines, do not try to out-drink them; you’ll lose.
Air Crew. I’m an aerial gunner on HH-60s.
RandMcNally,
I just got back from Afghanistan a few months ago. Drop a line if there are any particular requests you’ve got. I can imagine some drink mix and maybe some DVD copies might be up your ‘line of wants’.
Lemme know, man. And good luck.
Tripler
I did Thanksgiving '05 in Balad, the rest of it at Bagram.
Good luck! If you fly over any Marines, wave hi. My cousin just deployed last week.
My cousin said there were no showers in Kuwait, so I second this one.
I know Chouinard Fan took more wet wipes than I almost thought possible, and he used the great majority of them. I know he enjoyed the magazine subscriptions I sent him in Iraq. I’d suggest subscribing to anything you might possibly be interested in, because they’re cheap reading.
Good luck in Iraq and don’t let the hamburgers* get you!
I’m assuming RandMcnally is a Simpsons reference…
Thank you. And bless you. May you be safe always.
Needless to say, my respect for soldiers, and especially soldiers in combat situations knows no bounds.
All my best, RandMcnally.
Ok, is there something I should know about you and my step nephew-in-law twice removed. :dubious:
If with Mr. McNallys permission Either I or Cyn can arrange for contact and or serve as a collection point for goodies to ship over en masse.
Actually, it’s from the song “Dream life of Rand Mcnally” by Jason Mraz. Although the Simpsons episode did cross my mind for my “location” after the name was already picked out.
And I’ll take up my step uncle-in-law’s (twice removed) offer.
Oh, and something that was inspired by Tripler, a mix cd of whatever songs that you use to help you relax.
Who I listen to are usually types like early Jason Mraz, Josh Kelly, Howie Day, and I just found a guy named Gabe Bondoc. I have like, every single one of his songs.
But actual stuff wise, I don’t think I’ll need anything. The base I’m going to has a full up BX, gym, everything. It even has a Pappa John’s and Burger King. But ya’ll have no idea how much this means to me.