What to send my buddy who's going back to Iraq?

[DigMe]

My good buddy is going back to Iraq in November. So I've got a while but I was planning on sending him some kind of useful gift that he could use over there maybe in October or so. I'm not sure what I want to send him though. I want to spend about 50 to 60 bucks and I'm open to suggestions, ESPECIALLY from folks who've been there!

I'd like to send him something useful but cool too, something he'll really enjoy. I was thinking about a Surefire 6P and a dozen batteries but I thought it's probably not practical for him (although he did see combat last time his main job is engineering and driving heavy machinery) with the battery life even if I did send extra batteries.

Don't keep your suggestions limited to flashlights though, be creative! When you were over there what would you have enjoyed getting that was useful for a soldier but kinda neat too? Last time he was over there last year I sent him a Swiss army knife and he said he threw his other knife away and used the SAK a lot.

I wish I could afford to just buy him a Springfield 1911!

brad cook

[MaterDei]

The Surefire is a great idea. If you get him one that has an LED and a low power setting the batteries should last quite a while. I bought my daughter an L1 and she loves it. It has a low power setting which is very adequate when it is dark and you're working around your tent or room. It also has a high power mode as well that makes it quite bright. Not defense bright but at least as bright as a standard size 2D cell flashlight would be. It only uses 1 battery and on high it lasts 4+ hours and on low 90+ hours. 12 spare batts would last quite a while.

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/932/sesent/00

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=24287&stc=1

This light will run you more that $50 or $60 bucks. They can be had for $80 or $90 though.

I wish I could afford to just buy him a Springfield 1911!
Now that would be VERY NICE. He wouldn't be able to take it with him though. :)

[DigMe]

WHere can that be had for $80 or $90? I still think even that might be out of my budget though.

brad cook

[LeonCarr]

Send him 60 bucks worth of Copenhagen Snuff, and he can trade/barter for just about anything he needs in country :).

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[Rockrivr1]

A friend of mine just got back from Iraq and he told me that they are short on all the personal items we take for granted here in the states. Things like junk food, racy magazines, batteries, shaving items etc.

Your friend will most likely love getting a box full of this stuff. If there's anything in there he doesn't need right away, he'll proabably be able to make some coin selling it.

[MaterDei]

WHere can that be had for $80 or $90?
I bought mine on ebay and paid $92 (shipping included).

[Mugsy90/10]

My cuz. was in Iraq for a while, all he ever wanted me to send was beef jerky and toilet paper. He said all they had was John Wayne toilet paper. "Tough as hell and don't take crap off no one" ROTFLMAO!!

[mikeb3185]

im sure your familier with brigade quartermaster, if not actiongear.com
they have "packages" of care items such as hoohahs which is basically a shower in a pouch, among other items.
also it is the little stuff that matters there as was previously posted, shaving cream, socks, a snickers bar. they may have the cool factor of the surefire, but it would be appreciated.

[DigMe]

I can send him all that stuff when he's over there. I'm talking about some kind of special gift that I can send him BEFORE he goes over. Something he'll have that will be useful for his whole time there. I'm sure not going to mail a bunch of toilet paper and candy bars to a guy living in Hawaii!

brad cook

[RoyG]

A good 3 point sling for his rifle.

If he has a sidearm a good holster for it. A good shoulder hoslter for his M9 (if that is what he has).

A KaBar maybe. Or check around some of the custom knife places. We have a guy here that makes some nice fixed blade knives for not a lot of cash ($100-200). I like his better then Randalls and he doesn't have a 4 year waiting list.

I picked up one of these (http://store.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=375285&item=1059479&sw_activeTab=6) instead of a KaBar for myself. It was around under 30 bucks at the last gun/knife/beany baby show I went to.

[Arc-Lite]

One of the push daggers, from Cold Steel, small, and can be carried anywhere. the flashlight is a good idea, but if you go that direction, find one with a filter, bright light is nice, but sometimes becomes the center of attention. I think your giving him the best gift, just with your concerns and finding him something special.... your a good man.

[DigMe]

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

I think your giving him the best gift, just with your concerns and finding him something special.... your a good man.

Well thanks, he's been a loyal friend to me and he's the oldest friend I have (not age-wise). I just want to show my appreciation.

brad cook

[DigMe]

Hell, maybe I'll just buy him a bottle of really good tequila. I KNOW he'll appreciate that! :cool:

brad cook

[trickyasafox]

not cool but if he has an m9 how bout a couple of good factory mags for it? i think the flashlight is a really good idea.

[TrapperReady]

My BIL deployed to Kosovo last year, and we sent him with a Surefire E2E, A Benchmade Griptilian and a Leatherman Wave. While there, we also sent him an MSR Dragonfly stove.

He used all of the above on a daily basis. Maybe check with your buddy and see if there was anything he would have really liked to have last time he was there.

[FunGunner]

Cheap full sized Binos (used mine all the time in the field), Good compass (ya never know), Good 3 point sling (think Eagle brand), Extra pistol mag, Water bladder backpack system (camel bak), Good sunglasses, Goggles and a good bandanna, Bush hat (tan), Small fixed blade belt knife (smaller the better, big ones get in the way), Small camp stove (MSR Whisper lite and such)


Then send to him, when he has been there for a while.

Baby wipes, Para cord, OD 50 mile a hour tape, Fruit Loops, Nuts, Coco Puffs, Playboys, disposable cameras, bath poof and smells good soap (laugh now, that stuff feels good and smells nice), batteries, shave stuff, odor eater insoles, cards from kids and/or wife, stuff from family and friends, books, foot powder, sun screen, chap stick, extra, well made socks (cheap socks are harder on feet than bad boots with good socks.)

This is from a former Marine grunt, which has spent more than a night or two in the sand over seas.

[DigMe]

Great ideas, ya'll!

brad cook

[OEF_VET]

When I went to Afghanistan, my family asked what they could send me. Of course, things like Gatorade powder and baby wipes were HIGH on the list. It turns out, my family didn't get together and discuss who was sending what. I ended up with enogh baby wipes to outfit half the daycares in America.

My point, when he's in-country and you're sending him stuff - try to send things that others aren't sending him. Pick up a couple years worth of back issues of his favorite magazines and send him those. Maybe send a DVD or two every now and then. Wal-Mart has some as cheap as $5.50. They don't have to be new releases, as long as they're titles you think most GI's would enjoy (think action, comedy, westerns).

I think it's great that you want to get him a send-off gift. I would suggest that if what you get him is engraveable, do so. Have something like his name, rank, and unit inscribed, along with something personal like "For your return to Iraq. Thanks for your service.", or something similar. I know that if someone had given me something so inscribed, I'd cherish it for the rest of my life.

Frank

[DigMe]

I think it's great that you want to get him a send-off gift. I would suggest that if what you get him is engraveable, do so. Have something like his name, rank, and unit inscribed, along with something personal like "For your return to Iraq. Thanks for your service.", or something similar. I know that if someone had given me something so inscribed, I'd cherish it for the rest of my life.

These ideas just keep getting better and better!

brad cook

[Fumbler]

How bout a Swamp Rat Bandicoot?
http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/knives.html

A good quality headlamp can be a great thing for mechanics who need to use both hands.
http://www.petzl.com/petzl/LampesProduits?MotRecherche=Quick+Search&Langue=en&Gamme=&Critere=33&News=

You could choose a Swiss Army knife with a belt pouch.

BTW you should send him a knife sharpener while he's over there just in case he doesnt have one.

[pete f]

how about naked pics of his wife once he is there, tell him your wife took the pics.........



no seriously, I like surefire but streamlights seem to work just as well, just as long and are a lot cheaper to replace bulbs and to buy. streamlight battery prices are good too like surefires.

do you like the same music? burn him a bunch of CD mixes that you like... My cousin say they can never get enough of that for the discman.

really good sunglasses. wiley X's with the side shields and dust guards. pricey but liked by those in the sand

Good multi fuel stove, a whisper lite or MSR type are fabulous and fast, small and easy to use.

GPS

a pair of stiener Mil Marine 8X30 glasses, affordable and sturdy and usable, NATO issues for about $150

a really good folder. a spyderco or benchmade will be used daily.

find out his favorite candy, ship lots of it

ask if he has a camel back, then ship a fresh liner a couple of times while he is over there My best friends son was tehre for a year plus, he claimed that fresh liners for the camel back were great because the old ones would wear out or start to smell after a a good bit.

make sure he has an email addy that you can reach him on and tell him that you will be his shopper, all he has to do is ask

[DigMe]

Pete,

I've thought about a Streamlight Twin Task. Still considering it. Also considered some Wiley X's...maybe the ones that look like sunglasses but act like goggles and can convert to goggles with a strap...I think they might be SG-1's. They can be had for 50 or less I know. That's a possibility too.

I sent him some Mitch Hedberg comedy CDs and a couple of music CDs when he was over there the first time and he liked those a lot and said they made the rounds.

brad cook

[Crosshair]

Give him a few boxes of good HP ammo. :D Not sure they let you do that anymore. :scrutiny: On the more serious side.

1. What about an inverter. I know that in many places 120v 60hz can be rare. That way they can run their playstation/laptop/whatever other electronic goodies that they have.
2. A compact alarm clock might be a good idea as well. It would have to be durable though.
3. Shortwave radios cone in handy as well. Radio Shack has some good models, one can even be crank powered.
4 Compact digital camera. Nothing expencive. Just something to send snapshots back home, Show off that AK-47 that he "liberated", etc.

That's all I can think of now.

[1911 guy]

would include playing cards, gold bond powder, socks/underwear, portable cd player w/ batteries, books, ramen noodle cups, cigarettes, Red Wing "comfort force" insoles, soap, toothpaste, razor blades, barbasol lemon lime shaving cream (cools your skin off) and nomex gloves, all for personal use. For bartering, smokes, snuff, and sweetened cereals are golden. "We will export Death and Violence to the four corners of the earth in defence of our Great Nation." - Inscibed in steel from the WTC in a monument erected by U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

[pete f]

brad

the Twin task 1L are great little lights, Although not quite "weapons lights" they are great for general use. My son and daughter both have them ( i gave away several at Christmas too) the two level light, low on LED and high on the xenon are good. The xenon is plenty bright enough for searching and pointing out stuff a good ways off (75 yards or so), and the LEDs give great battery life along with a less noticable signature. I would think a Dozen good batterys too in a case like these.....

http://www.batterystation.com/cr123a.htm down a ways they have some neat boxes and battery specials

These are great little lights too, much smaller and very very well made only about 3 1/3 inches in length they are very handy.
http://www.amondotech.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=815

Those wiley's you mention are great for summer framing and siding jobs with lots of crap flying about so i would assume they would work great on the sand there too.


one other thing. When i was sending stuff over to iraq for my friends son, a couple of vendors would give me a better break and one ate the shipping and handling when told they were going to Iraq IF i paid for it and had it sent direct to a APO/FPO. One order taker gave me the best wholesale prices they had which allowed me to spend quite a bit more with them to send even more stuff over.

[cpileri]

This is a letter compiled from lots of sources that has made its way around a bit. Maybe this will help you.
C-

"Dear ???-
Here’s the list of things your Brother-in-law will want to take/replace with him. It is not all inclusive, and some items may be issued by his unit if there’s a special need.

Head: Helmet- issue Kevlar is OK, a new sweat band and liner can be helpful to allow air to circulate under it
Eyes: forget the crappy issue ones. Get a Wiley X sunglasses/goggles combo like the Wiley X CQC tactical goggle which is helmet and night vision compatible
Mouth: dust protector like Spec Ops Recon Wrap and/or several bandanas or handkerchiefs
Lips: lip balm with sun protection factor, it melts in the heat, so a sealed tub may be best
Neck: sunscreen, high potency – your sister will have to include more in his weekly/monthly care packages since he will apply it daily

Chest: A mimimum of Level III+ NIJ rated KEVLAR (i.e. aramid) ballistic vest: no other material than Kevlar!! All the others have failed and the companies are being sued for making a bull???? product. Make sure the vest is ALSO rated for fragmentation such as the NATO QR- FSBE Tac Vest or this one: http://www.bulletproofme.com/TACTICAL_Body_Armor.shtml#OTV
AND…
The Armor Plate that is NIJ rated to stop MULTIPLE hits from rifle fire, and the carrier needed to attach it. Steel plates are heavy but the Polyethylene plates lose their strength in the heat! The total for all the armor alone will be over 1000 bucks. Small price to pay to save a loved one’s life.
__________________________________________________________
Armor info from a site that rates the stuff:
The following conclusions are offered:
-- AVOID Zylon! Perhaps when Toyobo institutes improved manufacturing processing Zylon will become an outstanding armor material, but at this time, Zylon is NOT an acceptable vest material option. The Zylon vests while thinner, definitely demonstrated significantly greater backface deformation compared to equivalent threat level vests of made of woven p-aramids or laminate materials. Again, given the poor performance of laminate vest materials against contact shots, my personal choice is to go with an all woven Kevlar or Twaron vest.
n LIMIT laminate materials, like Spectra, in soft body armor applications, as they do not provide as much protection against contact shots as woven p-aramids and they are subjectively less comfortable to wear.
n when the officers directly asked Mr. McCarthy which vest he would wear himself, he replied that he would use the all Kevlar “Silver” package from Armor Holdings, not the “Gold” or “Platinum” packages that make extensive use of Zylon and laminates. In fact, Mr. McCarthy stated the “Silver” package is what his son wears on duty. If the “Silver” package that was observed is accurate, it appears to be primarily woven Kevlar, with a few middle layers of Kevlar laminate Gold Flex. Based on yesterday’s testing, the more affordable “Silver” package appears to offer significantly better protection than the more expensive “Gold” or “Platinum offerings from Armor Holdings (ABA/Safariland).
--USE vests made of proven woven p-aramid fibers like Kevlar and Twaron. These vests continue to provide adequate protection many years past their warranty period.
-- Each officer and agency must decide if they desire a thinner, more “wearable” vest or a slightly thicker vest that provides better protection against both non-ballistic, blunt trauma injuries that can occur in hand-to-hand confrontations, MVA’s, and industrial accidents, as well as better protection against certain types of ammunition. This is an individual choice that depends on expected threats types and wear environment.
My personal preference is thicker, level IIIa vests (with additional hard armor inserts, as needed) for uniformed Patrol and Tactical environments and thinner, level II vests for discreet wear in other situations.





Chest (cont.): sweat away shirts, several (Under Armor Heatgear brand)
Also a backpack, for personal gear, green with hydration (camelback) optional, and MOLLE compatible but otherwise his choice.

Arms: Shirts as above, sunscreen. Issue BDU blouses are good. Indiglo Watch.
Hands: gloves are his choice depending on the type of work he does, but some guys use them simply to prevent sunburns. Go with thin leather Kevlar lines gloves or lese Kevlar lined fingerless ones. Not rubber or latex, they melt and don’t breathe in the heat
Legs: BDU pants are good, get a better belt- maybe a pistol belt.
Feet: get the BEST boots possible that are still regulation. NO steel toe or steel soles, they set off magnetic explosives. No holes that can let sand in, pay for a ‘complex’ ventilation system. Socks: Wigwam Ingenious Boot Socks, several pairs. No cotton: wool or synthetic only. Replace laces with paracord or appropriate color.

Other: Sweat Proof neck pouch or water wallet
Sewing kit, and prescription meds, toilet paper if he has room! And have more sent in care packages!
Water purifier filter and/or a purifier canteen (Press-2-pure), and optional iodine tabs

Make sure he gets his issue frist aid kit, if not I can get a list of recommended items.

OK, he knows he can’t bring his own backup gun. People do. But not officially. Still, the issue weapons are plagued with malfunctions so he should bring a few things to help make sure his weapon works when needed:
-FACTORY, or Asian contract factory, Baretta M9 15-rd magazines, smooth any internal burrs. 2 will easily fit into a BDU cargo pocket and just keep that to himself. He knows he can’t bring his own ammo either. Those FMJ 9mm bullets zip right through the skinny dudes we are shooting, though. So unofficially the BEST anti-personell 9mm round is the 9mm 147-gr Winchester Ranger ammo factory labeled RA9T- accept no substitute. Winchester Ranger SXT is NOT the same thing. But any good hollowpoint is a step in the right direction hypothetically of course.
- Factory (Colt, or Armalite or Bushmaster, or gov’t contract) M-16 223 magazines with the green followers. Yes, there is a recommended ammo for these. I can find out if he likes. Hypothetically.
- Dry-Lube (molybdenum disulfide in an evaporating base): you don’t want grease and oil attracting sand.
- Condoms, to put over the muzzle, duct tape to hold it down. In a pinch, he can fire right through the rubber. Saran wrap to keep the action clean.
- Straight blade knife, like a Kabar or issue M16 bayonet. Sharpening stone.
- Leatherman/gerber tool
A laptop computer with internet hookup. I forget is they use DSL or what, he can check.
Tweezers, a superior pair, not good, not great; superior. Like the Silvergrippers.
Toenail clippers.
Sandals, wwaterproof- he will want alternate and well ventilated footwear for the shower and off times. Don’t forget suncreeen on the feet if he does that!
LED hand held light for carrying.
Clip on LED for reading at night.
Fun reading, magazines- have you rsister send monthly with care packages.
Paper, pencils.

That’s all for now. Here’s a source for the ammo: I have some from him and he is totally reliable, fast shipping, and fair. Here’s his ad:

“I have the Winchester Ranger ammo available in the below listed calibers. Ammo is brand new and the handgun ammo is in 50 round boxes and the .223 rifle ammo is in 20 round boxes. Prices are plus UPS shipping. When contacting me concerning the ammo I will need quantity you are interested in and your zip code and I will furnish you with a total. Money order or cashiers check as payment please. No Paypal.

RA380T - 380acp 95gr - $21.00
RA38110HP+ - 38 special 110gr+P+ - $18.50
RA9T - 9mm 147gr - $18.50
RA9TA - 9mm 127gr+P+ - $18.50
RA40TA - 40s&w 165gr - $20.00
RA40T - 40s&w 180gr - $20.00
RA357SIGT - 357sig 125gr - $21.00
RA45T - 45acp 230gr - $22.00
RA45TP - 45acp 230gr+P - $22.00
RA223R - .223 55gr soft point - $10.00

Contact me direct at jwkpatrick@yahoo.com if interested.”

Here are some posts from huyg who have been there and what they wanted in their care packages:
“Ground Starbuck's coffee and filters
Socks
Gun, Outdoor, and porn magazines
Copenhagen
Home-baked cookies
Cards or posters from supportive Americans for the Operations Center

Lip balm
Cortaid cream
Foot powder
Lamasil
Toothpaste and brushes
Nail clippers
Tweezers
Bandaids
Captain Morgan's Rum concealed in an Listerine bottle”

“The PX in Baghdad sucks.The CD selection was nasty. No Blues. DVD's? Great, if you have a US-format system that works on 220v, or batteries. Otherwise, see the kids outside for the bootlegged Euro-format versions. The tourist trash seems to be made just about anywhere else.”

“A co-worker was called up by the Guard (Kuwait) and this is what me and some of the other co-workers send him and others in his unit.

Carmex lip balm
Deodorant
tooth brushes
tooth paste
foot and body powder
socks

What I personally send for him every few months is three rolls of Kodiak and a phone card.”

“cheap LED lights (red)
Nice, soft American T.P. (good packing material too)
Powerbars
sugar-free gum
cookies, chips and assorted other pogey bait
tobacco products (not for him, but as thank-you's for his troops)
a paperback book here and there
current family photos

I even mailed him a toilet seat, because their's kept breaking.

I also did his gear shopping for him and would send that over as well - just don't list anything juicy on the customs form, as the good stuff has a tendency to get "lost" apparently. Max Grip NT nomex gloves become "socks" for the paperwork.”


Good Luck to him!"

[chopinbloc]

if they don't issue him a multi-tool, get him one. i got one issued and i use it everyday, i'd be lost without it. if he'll be issued an m-9 get him mags like some other people mentioned. the issued mags are absolute crap. wiley x is a good idea, but most troops are getting them issued. lubricant that dries with no residue is an absolute must. three point sling is good too, but most of us are issued that, too. if you do get one get blackhawk, all the others suck. i was issued blackhawk for homeland security mission and wore my m-16 every day with it for 22 months and it worked great. this time they issued an uncle mike's and within a week, one of the rubber straps failed and had to be replaced with 550 cord. think stuff he can't get issued and ask him what he'll be issued. electric razor is nice too, i use that alot. if it takes AA's that's even better, some times he might not have access to good power but troops can pretty much always get batteries issued - even the 3v lithiums a surefire takes, usually. just make sure he knows that if he tries to use the small green ones that we use for some of our equipment they'll fry that light in short order; they don't say on 'em but i took a multimeter to one and it was something like 6v. the problem is that all the stuff that is really important might be issued.

[CB900F]

Digme;

I didn't read all of the replies, so if I'm going over plowed ground, please excuse me. My son is presently there now. The things they need most are the little things that you normally wouldn't think of. Things like: talcum powder, toothpaste, hunting/fishing outdoors magazines & other reading material of that nature. A coupla bars of Dial soap & a clean washcloth, clean socks. The little stuff.

900F

[DigMe]

CB900F,

I'm looking for ideas for a special gift to give him BEFORE he goes to Iraq that he can use while he's there...no really looking for care package type stuff to send someone who's already there...that'll come later. Thanks though.

brad cook

[Ironman]

2 guys on Floridashootersnetwork.com are selling bullet proof vests for under 100 bucks, all hed have to do is get a nice ceramic trauma plate for it to stop the AK rounds.

[mons meg]

Cheap full sized Binos (used mine all the time in the field), Good compass (ya never know), Good 3 point sling (think Eagle brand), Extra pistol mag, Water bladder backpack system (camel bak), Good sunglasses, Goggles and a good bandanna, Bush hat (tan), Small fixed blade belt knife (smaller the better, big ones get in the way), Small camp stove (MSR Whisper lite and such)

Ok, the best thing I got off my wish list when I was in the Kuwaiti deset during GW1 was a nice ($100) set of "hunters" binoculars. I forget what brand, but they were something like 8x25mm, and fit snugly into a pocket on my flak jacket. Full sized binoculars wouldn't have worked. It made me feel better pulling watch day or night to have something other than my USGI eyeballs.

And obviously, a good SAK or Leatherman type tool. I think they still make the "micra" which would be ideal for zipping open MREs and the like.

[MutantCO]

For Those of us who have B.T.D.T.
One case of Tabasco Sauce.!!!!!!
The stuff is worth it's weight in Platinum!!!!!!!
Victom of 1983 Meditteranian relocataion project.
U.S.A.F. 23 Yr. Old at time. Still getting older!
Mutant 63 M.A.W. 22nd A.F. Norton A.F.B. 1980-83. :banghead: