Making Up A Package For A Soldier

In My Humble Opinion
1

Frank, a co-worker, got sent with the Guard to Iraq.
He’s a grandfather. (Brief pause to abuse a certain pseudo-Texan).

I’m making a package of books up to send, as I know that a soldier’s every moment not spent in raw terror is spent being bored off your tit.

Last time, I included a big bundle of Archie Digests, as I intended Frank to share with the unit. Also, some paperbacks.

Suggestions for other books that would/would not go well?

Playboy is out, as I doubt it would be admitted into a ME nation.

2

Last time I sent packages to Saudi (Gulf War 1) the books that seemed to go over best were Westerns and Crime Thrillers. Hit the used book store and grab a bunch of each, along with some SF and such. Maybe some Tom Clancy, too.

3

Send chapstick and babywipes, too. I hear they’re quite popular, as well as feminine hygiene products (care packages after all are usually distributed around).

4

Field hygiene supplies are always welcome. See here for some ideas. They have gift-packs too.

5

Tell the used bookstore owner they’ll be sent to support the troops, and there’s a good chance you’ll get them discounted or for free, especially if you’re a familiar face to the owner.

6

More sites for Care packages.

And here.

And here.

If you want to make it personal, just steal ideas from the contents of these prepackaged kits. :smiley:

7

Tobasco sauce! Anything to spice up field rations is good.

8

I used to be very active with a soldier support site. So here are my suggestions based on my experiences.

  1. The DoD requests/recommends that packages be about the size of a shoebox to improve their chances of arriving in a timely manner. Military mail is shipped on a “space available” basis, so the smaller the package, the more like there is to be space for it.
  2. Separate book shipments from non-book shipments. Books, CDs, DVDs and video games can go Media Mail, which is the absolute cheapest way to ship anything. (Magazines CANNOT go Media Mail, as they contain advertisements). You can get 20-odd paperbacks ito a box the size of shoebox, which is a lot.
  3. When thinking about books to send, remember that the majority of soldiers are in the 18-25 age bracket, and choose accordingly. SF, thrillers, horror, and military fiction are all popular. Units that have women in them may appreciate some higher-end romance novels (no Harlequins!) .
    4.Magazines, food and hygiene items travel most economically in the new Priority Flate Rate Box. $7 I believe regardless of weight. Popular magazine i nclude any car magazines, Maxim, and newsmagazines like Newsweek.
  4. Food and hygeine items are always welcome. High protein snacks like beef jerky or Powerbars are always requested, as are drink mixes (Crystal Light/Kool-aid, etc.), especially now that summer’s coming. If you want to send anything chocolate, send it this week. After June, it’s way too hot in Iraq. For hygiene items, AA & AAA batteries, baby-wipes (alchohol free only) and sunblock are highly requested items. Anything in “travel-sized” containers. Buy everything in “unscented” form if you can. In the heat, the smells mix to grotesque effect, and can ruin snacks, even if they’re sealed in plastic.

ok, I guess those are all my hot tips for now!

9

anysoldier.com has lots of suggestions. They also have links to other sites such as treatanysoldier.com that you may find inspiring.