What do you recommend for soldier?

[LASur5r]

I have an "adopted son" in the 101st Airborne....he has not seen combat as per his letter a week ago. He is worried that his buds have been going to town, drinking and generally carousing at night. He is worried that they are not taking this war seriously.

As of the date of this thread I see in the news that elements of the 101st have gone up against the Royal Guardsmen (Iraqi's) and zapped 50 infantrymen. Those kids are holding up fine.

What would you recommend to this young soldier. He is 27, the rest of the guys in his unit are about 21-23.

I suggested to him to find other things to do and don't worry. Combat has a way of sorting out everyone.

 

[Bonker]

Where will he be using what you buy him?

You looking for a keepsake like a kickass knife or just cookies and socks type of stuff?

If I was over there in the desert, I'd want a small swiss army knife with tweezers and scissors personally.

Keep it SMALL. They carry enough crap as it is.

 

[blades67]

I have an "adopted son" in the 101st Airborne....he has not seen combat as per his letter a week ago. He is worried that his buds have been going to town, drinking and generally carousing at night. He is worried that they are not taking this war seriously.

Tell him to join them, there won't be any alcohol for a long time once they wind up in Iraq. Now is when he should learn who has his back and who is a frenchman.

 

[Griff]

Baby wipes, gum, gatorade powder, SAK/multitool/flashlight, Maxim/Stuff magazines, paperbacks, batteries, Ranger Rick's digests http://www.therangerdigest.com/body_index.html , e-mail/ letters/ post cards/ words of encouragement and confidence, my Best Regards and Thanks.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, send some discreet updates on their SO, or better yet, have them add some lines to your letter and write their own, too (just to ease his mind about no Dear John letters on the way, you know?)
Hometown news releases are sorta fun to read, too, keeps things in perspective.

 

[voilsb]

well, if you got the letter a week ago, he probably wrote it three weeks ago or so. by the time he gets your letter it'll be another two or three weeks. so he's probably seen combat by now, and if not, probably will by the time he gets your letter. keep that in mind when you write him back.

this thread, of course, reminds me I need to write my little brother who is in iraq w/ the 101st right now, too.

 

[Guntalk]

Care Package for Deployed Troops

My friend, Doug Ritter, put together a suggested list of stuff to send deployed military.

http://www.equipped.com/deployed_military_suggestions.htm

You also may enjoy Doug's web site: Equipped To Survive. Not survivalist, but about surviving. Well, you'll see.

 

[Feanaro]

How the.... I was trying to post in the "capture arms" thread and I ended up posting here. Just ignore this one...

 

[Ol' Badger]

A Nicole Kidman clone who can clean his weapon when ever it needs it

 

[280PLUS]

find and buy him a nice facsimile of ion idriess's "the guerilla series"

warning: even the facsimile ain't cheap

i believe www.ozbook.com is a good link to purchase this.

written under aussie gov't contract by an aussie ww1 vet to rouse and help train the aussies for potential invasion by the japs in ww2.

damn near everything you ever wanted to know about all aspects of guerilla warfare.

even part #4 "the scout" the only one published separately as a reprint, is a worthwhile read and can be found used online

i even found one in the old dusty used book store

regards

m

just checked the oz link and it is good, go to "idriess reprints"

fyi, an original printing of the series in good condition books for over $5000

yes thats 3 zeros after that 5

oh, the prices you see at the site are in aussie dollars i think its around $175 american depending on todays exchange rate.

 

[Art Eatman]

Send him a regular package with toilet paper and handi-wipes. I guarandangtee you the T.O. & E. on john paper ain't near good enough. And they ain't ever gonna haul enough water along to really "waste" it on a lot of washing.

, Art

 

[George Hill]

Along with the other things, throw in a few issues of STUFF or MAXIM magazine, A gun rag or two, a Car rag or two... because a good magazine is important to have when squatting over a split trench.

Tell Airborne to keep his eyes open, his wits about him, and to look after his younger and more stupid squadmates. By virtue, he has become the designated driver... And he will make SGT soon.