Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Military guys, what makes a good care package?

We want to put some of these together, not going to anyone specifically, just someone serving.

When our son was "over there" he said headlamps, lighters & chew were big hits.

What would you guys have liked to see?

A little dated but:

Small books with short stories.

Industrial strength bandaids.

Alcohol swabs.

Small bottles of hot sauce. Not that Texas Pete stuff in the MRE's. Get something that will flame an anus.

Get the small fisher space pen, with a few refills.



And a small note/memo pad.

Multi colored sharpies. (Black, Red, Green, Blue usually come in a set)

Sewing kit - i.e. good canvas or leather needles, with waxed twine thread. Go ahead an prethread a few needles.

Don't forget extra batteries for anything you send that needs them.

If they are in an area with indigenous children, small puzzles or toys and individually wrapped candy that won't melt.

Wrap whatever you can with a small town local newspaper that isn't a liberal fish rag.

If possible, phone cards or pre-paid visa type things they can use to charge a call made at a point of opportunity.


forgot: electrical tape (multi color pack) and/or duct tape.

When I was in Iraq and Afghanistan for the most part if you are at a fob they have px there but at COP's zilch. What we liked to see were slim jims the more the better. Far as dip i.e. Copenhagen stuff will be dried out before it gets there ... chewing gum was always a plus... anything from the little Debbie's as well

79S pretty much nailed it. I'd add good socks are always nice, as well as candy. Just pay attention to the temperature where your sending it, because chocolate doesn't survive well from about April to October in Iraq/Afghanistan. A variety of magazines can be nice, such as sports, cars/trucks, hunting and shooting.

Best I ever saw was on The Pacific, where the guy got the M1917.

Jerky, baby wipes, gum, drink powder

During Desert Storm I sent all the above and a boot knife to the individual.

Jim

My time was too long ago, but I do want to strongly second the newspaper. Wrap everything in a local newspaper, use one as padding, and stuff as much in the box as you can. News from home is as important or even more so than what you're sending.

Might be a little bulky, but during my brief time overseas,
Pringles tater chips were the ONLY junk food that tasted like it should... chips in bags were stale.

Drink mixes are great, as the supply of water is good, but not much else usually.

Field wipes (HOOAHS) are great. OR grime boss, Go-Jo wipes.

Sunflower seeds, instant coffee, slim jims and other jerky.

Cross word or other puzzle books.

Cards, dominoes, and such

And always, encouraging letters from home, pictures and such are awesome too. Homemade items show your commitment. My wife usually decorated the inside flaps of the box, just because.

And always over pack the box. Lots of newspaper, filling all voids. I swear they get used for rugby on the way in! Also, any food stuff either vacuum seal or double up in ziplock bags. Lots of critter seem to find their way in at times.

Snacks that won't melt or get broken into pieces, candy, beef jerky, trail mix, etc.

Cigarettes if they smoke, and Bic lighters.

Briefs & socks.

If they are stationed in a Muslim country, send then some nudie magazines. They can't get them locally. I just read that the center fold has returned to Playboy.

Also some good hard liquor in plastic bottles. They can't get that either in a Muslim country.

No cookies or donuts or cakes. They arrive as a pile of crumbs.

KC

athletic tape
jerky
neosporin
paperback books
hot sauce
wool socks (i send the costco brand)

Questions

1) If I put all that in a box, will it get to a single deserving soldier or does it get busted up along the line and distributed?

2) With no particular name or outfit in mind, how would one send a care package that hopefully would arrive intact?

It will be inspected for contraband and dangerous stuff. So maybe the liquor might not make it past the inspectors. But it will stay intact as one care package for one soldier.

You probably ought to do some research to discover one soldier to send it to. There is probably a soldier from your neighborhood that would really appreciate a care package. Otherwise it might be consumed by the postal inspectors. Check with the local recruiter.

KC

That is a great idea!!

Been many times and going again in April. DON'T send tooth paste and razors. There is more already there than will ever be used. Piles of it. Alcohol and porn are not good ideas either. Just get someone in trouble.

I donate to the USO for calling cards so the troops can call home.

You can also go through them for care packages. Check out the website:

https://secure.uso.org/wishbook/

Visine

pre paid phone cards, playing cards, poker chips, CR123 batteries, a nice flashlight, a Leatherman tool, socks, butt wipes, Beef Jerky, Altoid mints

When my nephews were deployed, I kept them supplied

The one thing I got that I enjoyed most, was the local hometown newspaper. But that was back before the internet.