what am I gonna bring?

Good morning, gentlemen. I have a question for you. Besides the CIF issued gear and the items required by IMEF, what are some good ideas for things to bring over to Iraq? I generally do with very little because I don't want to be worrying about "gear accountability" any more than I have to, but little things like dryer sheets I am hearing can make a world of difference. What are some things you have found helpful to either bring yourself or have people mail you once your in country? Thanks to all.

[LCpl Lamm]

What unit are you in? Just curious.
Uurah!
Lamm

[AngelBear]

I belong to a support group that sends cards, letters and packages to the troops over in Iraq now... it is my understanding that not all places are the same and the items they need are based on where they are and just how much space they have.

The number one thing is staying cool even though around October the weather does start to cool down. Again that is a personal preference as to what you can tolerate in temps.

Are you looking for "comfort" items or necessary items as in ideas on what you will need?

Well, as far as necessity items I'd like to think I have bought all those already, but some things blurr the line a bit. For example, baby wipes and hand sanitizer could be viewed as comfort items or necessity items, you know? What are some of the things you send? I know I am making a care package to mail to myself a week or so before I am due to deploy, and I figured I'd start to put it together now.
You're right about the weather. We should be there from mid September until April or so, so the weather should give us a bit of a break, at least at night.

@Lamm-I don't know if I can give my unit on this forum. I don't know if it would be a security issue for me to tell you that. If they say it's ok, I'll see. Oh. Nevermind, I've got it. Standby

[AngelBear]

Baby wipes usually apply to those locations where water isn't readily available or as a "fresher upper". Hand Sanitizer is a plus and you can find the nifty "hangers" to put on a belt clip or something readily like that. I personally have sent all sorts of stuff, its all up to the soldier as to what he wants or has cravings for. Its amazing what you will miss once you are over there. I know right now many are requesting Chocolate which usually arrives in a "soupy" state but when you want it you just lick it up and go on. I have heard complaints of "IT SMELLS" so any air freshner is great to have but be sure to never pack food items with things like soaps, air freshners and such for the food will taste like the soapy items If you want more information feel free to send me a personal message

Have you ever heard of a "Mister?" It's a portable water container, that has a pump, and sprays a fine mist of water out of it. I was there last year, and had someone send that to me. It made a WORLD of difference. But the weather there was a lot hotter for me. Everything else you can get sent to you. The mail should be great there now, and i've even heard that my buddies have Email there. So you can always get what you want.
What they can't send you is your heart. Make sure you have your heart, and your clear on your mission. Don't forget that you're there to help, and don't forget your training. Everything else will fall into place.
Good luck, Semper Fi.

[RR691983]

Baby Wipes are something u need. TRUST MEyou'll thank yourself.

Lots of those little Koolaid pouches will help when u need some taste. Water gets old. Or even better get on of those Little Gatorade "coolers" ya know they're shaped like a cooler and they have the powder in em. You can use those little plastic containers for just about anything and throw it in your ruck withot worrying about it breaking.

Electrical tape/100mph tape.

Hand Sanitizer

A GOOD Blade

Some pictures of loved ones

Any personal good luck item you may have. I wear a St.Michael charm 24/7. There will be times something like this will help.

I know Im leaving stuff off but I got to get to work. Good Luck.

[AngelBear]

This could become a section all to itself… (hint hint)

acheng1812 the item you are referring to is called a "Misty Mate" and currently if you have a Walgreens Drug store in your area you can catch them on sale for $4.99 each which is 50% off the regular price. I have bought many of them and have heard great reviews on how well they help. They do have a website www.mistymates.com

I have also come across a website that handles a lot of "personal cooling" items and one item goes in the helmet to keep the head cooler. It’s actually made for hard hats but the same principal would apply. If anyone is interested in the site its www.roshgo.com scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Personal Cooling Products", even the cooling vests are cheaper there than most places. Neck cool ties are another item that helps and you can purchase those at just about any sports equipment store as well as Walmart’s.

As John says the baby wipes are great and the hand sanitizer, super glue for fixing stuff as well as using it on a cut.

Bug spray is a must as well as the hanging fly traps. Again these are items that anyone can send to you once you are there.

As acheng1812 says what can’t be sent is your heart. All the material items in the world can’t replace the contact with family and friends but don’t close yourself off from support from other areas as well. There are many great sites out there that will help with just about anything just don’t take advantage of the supporter (trust me it has happened). There are support sites that also focus on one thing as in “Books for soldiers” the main focus is books of course but the people there will send snacks as well. I personally have sent books, DVD’s, food, toilet paper even teddy bears and have received word that they slept with them as well.

Hope this gives you an idea but as John said there is so much more taht could be mentioned again it applies to where you are and what you have access to once you are there.

[USMCRET6391]

My son in law (a Marine Gunny) is in Afghanistan right now and the big thing he asks for is Coffee.......seems they cant get enough of it........any non perishable snack food is a requirement for any care package also...............and yes baby wipes....seems non skid is in short supply also and they are great for washing your hands in the field.

hey....i am there now and let me tell you bug spray is one thing you will want..especially at the time you are heading over..second is wipes (always nice to have)..also some big size baggies to keep some stuff dry...rainy season is just around the corner...and as far as i know most everyone (not everyone) has access to a microwave...so anything that can be microwaved is good to get..nice change from chow hall food!!yes,nonskid is in short supply..and the mail still takes about 10 to 15 days but it is better...

[Tralis]

I hear from a cousin on active duty (I am ROTC at the moment) that somthing to keep yourself occupuied that is light, like a Gameboy or book, can help emensely.

[AngelBear]

If at anytime someone wants something to read while being deployed check out www.booksforsoldiers.com you can request books from there and most supporters will add some treats as well. This applies to all deployed not just those in the sandbox.

[Ritter]

Hi. I'm new to the forum. Here is an article on what to bring. I've been over there, and it's a great list. The book thing is important too. I think I read about 20 books while I was there. Remember that war is like 90% boring and the other 10% you're wishing it would go back to being boring.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...F?opendocument

Jim