I have a friend in the Marine corps just received a message from that he will be going to afganistan in the coming months. The question for you guys is what can i do for him care package wise, anything he may need, i’m not nor ever been in the military and have no clue what they would need. Any ideas would be great.
It would depend a great deal on where he is going to be, once he gets down range. Some locations are more austere than others.
His MOS also has a bearing. Is he a grunt, or is he someone that will be in more of a support role?
What does he currently have, and what is his unit providing?
Does he have a really good set of boots, or a quality multi-tool? I was a grunt a long time ago, and I would have loved to have either one, instead of the crap boots we got issued. And multi-tools had yet to be invented then. (Yeah, I’m old.)
International phone cards are always nice.
Honestly, prayers and letters are both wonderful things. I appreciated both when I was deployed.
Best regards for your friend, and bless you for thinking of him.
Porn, tobacco, and booze. If he doesn’t need/use/want any of this he can trade it for other stuff. If you were to pick one of these, I’d tell you to send him logs of Copenhagen snuff every couple of weeks.
He is a grunt, What kinda boots are reccomended also what kinda multi tool, I am in the process of gettin some of his friends from here togather and pool a little money to get him some stuff he could need…
He’s probably got good boots issued already. Gerber or Leatherman are both good names in multi tools. In my day the Leatherman was slightly more popular because the needle nose pliers were helpful in clearing shells that didn’t extract from SAWs and rifles.
I think that boots are such a personal issue with fit, you might give him the cash to go buy a set. Few things on the planet are more painful than poor-fitted boots.
Well, except for dinner prepared by my ex-mother-in-law, perhaps, but that’s about it…
The Leatherman Wave is a good multi-tool for the money, and they have an excellent warranty policy if he breaks it.
I agree with jtb0311 about the Copenhagen, or Red Man chewing tobacco. Even if he does not dip or chew, the stuff is worth it’s weight in gold in the field.
Three things I never wanted to run out of were TP, Tabasco and Marlburos.
Will they jack him up over booze? I’d hate to do the rug dance for a care package sent by a well-meaning friend. I know that it was no bueno for Iraq, does that also apply to Afghanistan?
Well being a former Grunt myself I can suggest a few things off the top of my head that he will need regardless where he’s at. A good multi tool, I suggest the leathermans. The blades can be accessed without having to open the handles. Baby wipes, lots and lots of baby wipes. I dunno how frequent he’ll have access to a shower but baby wipes come in hand especially when they are going on patrols and setting up LPOPs. Good socks, a couple pairs of athletic socks and a couple pairs of good outdoor hiking socks like the kind you find at REI. And if you can find it locally some Body Glide, works great and makes better sense than carrying around a jar of Vaseline 
Tell you friend I wish him a safe deployment. Semper Fi
Thanks, Kimbo! 
Socks - I am a complete moron, I forgot about socks. Smartwool is a great brand. Very cushioning, and REI does have them. I have about six pairs, they are very durable.
About boots, most SNCOs, especially grunts, do not like you to wear anything but the good ole USMC issue. You can get Danner’s or some others like them, but keep in mind that they have to have the EGA and basically look exactly like the current issue. If he’s lucky enough to get a FSBE kit issued he’ll have some Oakley boots that aren’t too bad and are pretty comfortable. I’d ask him what the CO’s policy is on boots. When I was on the MEU we were allowed to have non-issued boots because the MSPF gets to do anything they want :D, but we could’nt wear them on the FOB, so we basically had to change our boots about 15 minutes before heading out or risk getting an @$$ chewing from every SNCO and officer walking by.
i have also read somewhere about gloves, He is stilll out in cali right now so i haven’t had a chance to talk to him just brainstorming right now, would like to have some things togather before he gets home
Yup nothing like SNCO and Officers who are in PT gear that never leave the wire, chewing Grunts out because they wear better boots than “issued boots”. The Bates that are issued are garbage, and the new Danners aren’t that much better imo. I wore Converse boots with the side zipper, and took my ass chewings as a Cpl. Oh well better no ass than jacked up feet haha :D. I would definitely hold off on boots he may not be able to wear. Like I said socks…and if you want to add some extra comfort some insoles. The Dr sholes soles are good but they will wear out very quickly because the average person doesn’t stand or work in boots long like a Marine does.
A headlamp with a red lens is good as well. If he doesn’t have an IPOD get him one of those, or if he does give him a giftcard for the itunes store so he can load up on music. If he likes to read get him some books, sometimes he’ll have downtime and reading or listening to music can be a good thing. If anything just make sure you get his address and have a decent stream of letters and jerky and snacks for him. One thing that sucks being overseas is being forgotten, I had a few guys in my platoon that didn’t get anything in the mail and we improvised by having peoples parents send them some things. If this is your friends first time overseas, make sure he understands that life back home doesn’t stop when he leaves. But at the same time he isn’t forgotten and he is missed.
I am planning on sending him things all the time, I have always heard that letters and pictures from home r some of the best things they can get. As i said he is a great friend and it is his first time overseas. Thank you all so much for your suggestion and keep them coming
There are some really good suggestions in here.
Gatorade (powder and some AOB PX’s have it but run out frequently), hand sanitizer, protein powder and packages of Tuna (teriyaki, Lemon Herb etc.) MRE’s get pretty boring and forget about salads.At least where our AO was.
I had my first salad in months in Uzbekistan and it was like… nevermind.
If you know what types of foods he likes that will help as well. Oysters, Sardines etc…
The heat drains you (electrolytes are important) and after a few months of high Sodium LRRP’s your diet turns south real fast.
HTH…
A weekend in Vegas before he ships…
B
Yeah those flavored Tuna packs are delicious! Also send some 5hr Energy drinks, you can get them at GNC. They sure do help when you need a pick me up especially to get through a patrol or standing firewatch. I agree with Buck, a good outing with the boys would be great as well. Since he’s going to Trashganistan, maybe some cold weather gear might be necessary as well.
The Vickers gloves are pretty good. You might call Fernando at EOTAC (lookup about 6 inches, they are a site sponsor) and see what he can do for you. Fernando is a great guy, and strong supporter of the military. Find out what size your buddy wears, and ship him a set before his deployment, and half-way through.
I have a pair of Oakley SI gloves and like them also.
i would strongly agree on the electrolytes, and the trip to Vegas as well.
My favorite items in packages (other than any porn, tobacco, etc.) was propel packets that you add to bottled water, beef jerky, trail mix. You can always throw those in any bag and they’ll stay good. Reading material–gun and outdoor mags for me–were nice too.
On headlamps, I have sent two Petzl Tactikka’s to friends that deployed, and they were very well received. And it even comes in the ever-stylish desert camo:
http://www.backcountry.com/store/PTZ0064/Petzl-Tactikka-Plus-Headlamp.html
The newer e+LITE is pretty sweet as well. I have one, and love it. Weighs nothing, very comfy, and surprisingly bright.
http://www.rei.com/product/749039
It does however use itty-bitty coin batteries, which might be a trifle difficult to find in a remote hillside bunker on the Pakistan border. If you get one, ship a dozen batteries with it.
http://www.rei.com/product/703603
BTW - that is just a photo of the type of batteries. They are way cheaper elsewhere. Battery Junction, for instance.
I heard something about pink boxers…