usmc1371
Member
I say again. Save the MONEY.
What do you take to the sandbox?
- Thread starter Readyrod
- Start date
- Status
My son is a USAF TACP, he's heading to Afghanistan in June. I bought him one of these as a graduation present when he finished his tech school-
He says he uses it for stuff all the time, much more versatile than a regular knife.
Here's a link to the Wilson Tactical Cop Tool page-
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/kniveswt/wilsontactical/model22.asp
Here is a less expensive version-
http://www.wilsontactical.com/detail.aspx?ID=190
He says he uses it for stuff all the time, much more versatile than a regular knife.
Here's a link to the Wilson Tactical Cop Tool page-
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/kniveswt/wilsontactical/model22.asp
Here is a less expensive version-
http://www.wilsontactical.com/detail.aspx?ID=190
Titan6
member
WC145- That thing is sweet. I can see why your son loves it. Dang it, now I have to go buy something else.....
Birddog1911
Member
Someone mentioned paracord. DON'T BUY IT!!! If you find yourself at any air base, find the loadmaster from a C-130, ask him for a little, and he will take care of you. I always carried a ton of that stuff with me, and handed out a bunch whenever asked.
I hate to see servicemen buy this stuff when it is so easy to get otherwise.
I hate to see servicemen buy this stuff when it is so easy to get otherwise.
scythefwd
Member
Anyone caught with a personally owned weapon (except for knives) would have been looking at a bare minimum of NJP (Non Judicial Punishment, aka. Article 15) and more likely a courts martial (which can come with jail time). I found that any candy that wouldn't melt, good socks, cigarettes (I traded them), and letters were best received. Then again, I didn't need anything that I didn't take with me, except for maybe a single air mattress because those cots suck.
Zach S
Member
First, he needs to find out what is and isn't allowed. It varies depending on the CO. DOD says you cant use your own gear, but some COs allow it by looking the other way.
M9 and AR magazines seem to be popular (issue mags are often well-used), one Marine going in for his third tour (infantry) bought some every time he was on leave. New AR15 magsprings as well. Second time I saw him he got an aimpoint or EOTech. Last time I saw him, he also got an M3, G3 (the surefire, not the HK), box or two (or three) of surefire batteries, and CT grips for the M9.
As for non gun stuff, I have no idea.
M9 and AR magazines seem to be popular (issue mags are often well-used), one Marine going in for his third tour (infantry) bought some every time he was on leave. New AR15 magsprings as well. Second time I saw him he got an aimpoint or EOTech. Last time I saw him, he also got an M3, G3 (the surefire, not the HK), box or two (or three) of surefire batteries, and CT grips for the M9.
As for non gun stuff, I have no idea.
ThrottleJockey
member
Well, when I went to Kuwait in '91-'92 I unfortunately never left the ship and those that did weren't really there long enough to have any needs. However, many of my friends there now say chapstick, baby wipes and coffee are like gold.
bigfatdave
Member
My military time was in the USN (submarines), but some of that applies to any extended deployment.
Care packages that were appreciated were those containing; socks/underwear, reading material (yes, some was porn), personal hygiene items, shoe insoles, candy/gum/dried fruit, tobacco products, phone cards, and pictures of friends/family.
Care packages that were NOT appreciated were those containing; non-durable food, random gadgets (a pocketknife would be nifty, the newest 50-function electronic thingy not so much), pamphlets, or things easily obtainable onboard like batteries/pens/tools/etc.
Some of that applies to desert deployments, some doesn't ... get in touch and ASK what they want every few weeks, and don't criticize their choices if they ask for porn/smokes/etc - a lot of that stuff runs the "prison economy" of the enlisted man's military.
Personal weapons are out for various reasons, and bonus money really is best spent on debt reduction, emergency funds, and retirement. Not to say that there shouldn't be a celebration with a portion of it - I always put aside 20% as fun money while I was in.
Care packages that were appreciated were those containing; socks/underwear, reading material (yes, some was porn), personal hygiene items, shoe insoles, candy/gum/dried fruit, tobacco products, phone cards, and pictures of friends/family.
Care packages that were NOT appreciated were those containing; non-durable food, random gadgets (a pocketknife would be nifty, the newest 50-function electronic thingy not so much), pamphlets, or things easily obtainable onboard like batteries/pens/tools/etc.
Some of that applies to desert deployments, some doesn't ... get in touch and ASK what they want every few weeks, and don't criticize their choices if they ask for porn/smokes/etc - a lot of that stuff runs the "prison economy" of the enlisted man's military.
Personal weapons are out for various reasons, and bonus money really is best spent on debt reduction, emergency funds, and retirement. Not to say that there shouldn't be a celebration with a portion of it - I always put aside 20% as fun money while I was in.
Big Daddy Grim
Member
Gum, spare flashlight, Magazines, books, and comics I sent all these to my brother so anyone of them is a safe bet oh also cookies he loved them what can I say.
10-Ring
Member
I recently sent off hard candy - baby wipes - chapstick - powdered gatorade - white t-shirts - some cookies his mom made and new pics of friends and family
larry starling
Member
When I deployed I carried the following :
Tactical Knife
pocket knife
baby wipes
chap stick
sunscreen
and the most important item to me Toilet Paper. The mess the Army had was like using razor wire!!!!
And have your loved ones send you a regular supply of ramen noodles through the mail. I was a tanker so heating water for them wasn't a issue, But you might want to get a small Sterno stove to heat water up for them in your canteen cup!
Tactical Knife
pocket knife
baby wipes
chap stick
sunscreen
and the most important item to me Toilet Paper. The mess the Army had was like using razor wire!!!!
And have your loved ones send you a regular supply of ramen noodles through the mail. I was a tanker so heating water for them wasn't a issue, But you might want to get a small Sterno stove to heat water up for them in your canteen cup!
SergeantC
Member
The thing I asked for when I was in the sandbox was those powdered drink mixes that come in the little tubes. I hadn't been there very long before I started finding plain water a little boring.
Otherwise, books are good, movies are good. Stuff the soldier can leave behind. I left most of the books and movies I had behind when I shipped back home.
Personally owned weapons aren't permitted, and neither is porn (unless sold by AAFES.) I'm not certain about cigarettes, since I don't smoke. I think tobacco was popular.
Otherwise, books are good, movies are good. Stuff the soldier can leave behind. I left most of the books and movies I had behind when I shipped back home.
Personally owned weapons aren't permitted, and neither is porn (unless sold by AAFES.) I'm not certain about cigarettes, since I don't smoke. I think tobacco was popular.
Zach S
Member
Dip is pretty popular from what I understand.
Good way for smokers to get a nicotine fix without the shortness of breath that comes with smoking. Its cheaper than patches or gum.
I know a few enlisted folks that quit smoking, by using Skoal or Copenhagen.
Good way for smokers to get a nicotine fix without the shortness of breath that comes with smoking. Its cheaper than patches or gum.
I know a few enlisted folks that quit smoking, by using Skoal or Copenhagen.
Funderb
Member
so whos going to tell them that money is made of cloth?
Titan6
member
The kind of money they are printing is made out of digits and computer print outs.
HarleyFixer
Member
My primary wants were beef jerky, Red Vines, reading materiel, and DVD's. I also Second the sunglasses, went through a pair about every other week.
My nephew just completed his second tour (17 months this last time) in Afghanistan. He's at Bragg now, but in all probability will be going back. This is what he does willingly, he re-enlisted knowing what the gig was.
We send him:
Chapstick. Gold Bond powder, Wet Wipes, playing cards, Cajun Trail-Mix, candy, Car Magazines (Hot Rod, etc.), paperback books, and family photos in hardcopy and on DVD.
That's what he wants.
Have I bragged yet that he earned a Bronze Star on this last tour?
God bless, and Godspeed to these American heroes.
Les
We send him:
Chapstick. Gold Bond powder, Wet Wipes, playing cards, Cajun Trail-Mix, candy, Car Magazines (Hot Rod, etc.), paperback books, and family photos in hardcopy and on DVD.
That's what he wants.
Have I bragged yet that he earned a Bronze Star on this last tour?
God bless, and Godspeed to these American heroes.
Les
Sergeant Sabre
Member
The reason that the poster above you said what he did about non-vets not commenting is because people that have no idea tend to suggest silly things, like all kinds of weird weapons and swords and knives. Take a look at a real "want list" and you'll see the difference:
All of the above are excellent ideas. Weapons, including bayonets and other blades, are poor ideas. A folding utility knife is a good idea, though. As a vet, I can add that beef jerky is a wonderful idea
SoCalShooter
Member
Well I know when I sent some care packages to a friend and to my brother in law, they wanted mostly the baby wipes and knife sharpener,lens cleaner,foot deoderant, baby powder, candy, jerky, bought a couple of multi-tools and some nice folding knives, brother in law wanted a tomahawk and some streamlight or surefire flashlights, replacement lenses for sunglasses mostly the wiley X kind, and I also sent both of them a couple of boresnakes one for the pistol and one for the rifle.
My nephew is deploying to Afghanistan later this year, after doing a tour in Iraq a few years ago. He's pretty much figured out his gear, though the electronic entertainment is constantly upgraded.
For Christmas I got him a Streamlight Sidewinder light, the one with the IR option, and a Hohner harmonica in the key of C. Both items small, rugged, and effective.
For Christmas I got him a Streamlight Sidewinder light, the one with the IR option, and a Hohner harmonica in the key of C. Both items small, rugged, and effective.
Readyrod
Member
Great info. I would have never thought of the beef jerkey, wetwipes, or chapstick. Though the chapstick is kind of obvious when you think about it. That paracord tool looks cool. I'm going to put it on my wishlist.
earlthegoat2
Member
Cigarettes are best for trading to the friendly Afghanis and then they will hook you up with some fried goat or mutton which beats the pants off some of the food that is provided for you.
Baneblade
Member
I deployed to Iraq in April of 2003, so things are a little different now. You know, things like phones, internet, and electricity.
First and foremost, a laptop. Nothing fancy, something to type with, play some games, and most importantly, play movies.
Knives. I carried two, sort of. I kept a CRKT Kiss knife on my vest which got used for everything. I also carried a leatherman WAVE. Between those two I didn't feel a need for anything else (blade wise).
As for care packages. NOTHING THAT WILL MELT. That should be obvious, but it was surprising how many people still sent chocolate in packages. Fresh socks. Ahhh. Never underestimate the power of new socks.
I got my Dad to send me magazines (primarily gun magazines, Rifleman, guns and ammo, etc) and homemade cookies. I always knew when I had a package waiting for me. We would get back from a convoy and several guys would be standing around to anxiously tell me I got a package from my Dad. They liked the cookies as much as I did and I would hand them out after opening the box. Local newspapers were nice too.
Baby wipes are priceless. If someone is at a forward post cigarettes are worth a lot of money to someone too stupid to bring enough for themselves.
Personally owned firearms are career suicide, not worth the risk.
First and foremost, a laptop. Nothing fancy, something to type with, play some games, and most importantly, play movies.
Knives. I carried two, sort of. I kept a CRKT Kiss knife on my vest which got used for everything. I also carried a leatherman WAVE. Between those two I didn't feel a need for anything else (blade wise).
As for care packages. NOTHING THAT WILL MELT. That should be obvious, but it was surprising how many people still sent chocolate in packages. Fresh socks. Ahhh. Never underestimate the power of new socks.
I got my Dad to send me magazines (primarily gun magazines, Rifleman, guns and ammo, etc) and homemade cookies. I always knew when I had a package waiting for me. We would get back from a convoy and several guys would be standing around to anxiously tell me I got a package from my Dad. They liked the cookies as much as I did and I would hand them out after opening the box. Local newspapers were nice too.
Baby wipes are priceless. If someone is at a forward post cigarettes are worth a lot of money to someone too stupid to bring enough for themselves.
Personally owned firearms are career suicide, not worth the risk.
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