Hi all. I had the pleasure of speaking with Lillian Cauldwell on PIVR on July 4th about troop support. I am by no means an expert, but I have learned a few things over the past two years since I first began supporting and corresponding with deployed troops. Below are some of those things.
Weather- with the exception of the squad I supported in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa where it was pretty much always hot, the other regions have huge variances in weather, depending on the season. My friend in Afghanistan arrived to waist deep snow and temps so cold his tube of toothpaste froze inside his sleeping quarters. Now, however, it is so hot there he wakes up to 80 plus degrees Fahrenheit and told me he drinks a gallon of water while on patrol. So, obviously, don't send them chocolate in the summer.
Rubber flipflops- need for showers, they wear them out if they have to walk a distance outside to reach the shower trailer.
Single serving drink mixes- they have to drink lots of water during the warm season. They get so bored of it, they don't drink enough and risk dehydration.
The Post Office- make friends with your local PO clerk, they will help you find the cheapest way to send a package, and guide you in customs forms.
Packing- never mix scented items (like soap) in same box with food items. Put anything that can spill in a ziplock baggie, then in bubble wrap in the box.
The troops love:
Ramon Noodles
Beef Jerky
Microwave Mac & Cheese (make sure they have a microwave)
Any new movie DVD (make sure they have access to a laptop or DVD player
Magazines (they keep some in the latrines), Books
Posters, calendars, & holiday decorations
Blank cards (holiday, birthday, generic blank ones) to send to States
They need:
Handwarmers for patrols in cold weather
Sunscreen and bugspray for the warm weather
Socks (color specific according to the service branch, so ask first)
Personal hygiene- deodorant, toothpaste, feminine products, baby wipes, razers
Phone Cards- re-fill them by phone from home, you can also email them the phone card numbers instead of mailing the actual phone card.
Mail Call- the importance of a letter, a birthday or holiday card or a tiny gift, even if it is as little as a pack of hot cocoa mix stuck in an envelope. This is a totally different war then we've ever had in the history of our country. Some troops have WiFi in their tents. Phone calls are easier to make even from the more rural FOBs. However, I was told there is nothing worse than mail call when everyone else gets a letter or package and you get nothing.
There are many sites to connect with troops. These are the two I have used
Email me and I will try to answer questions catjohnson@hotmail.com
