Care pkgs for deployed military

allnurses Guide · Sep 24, 2007

Hi
I have a few friends deploying soon for Iraq - some MDs, PAs and a couple of RNs
I am making a list of care pkg items to share with friends, family and coworkers.
But I am not sure if the medical corps has more access to comfort items than soldiers do (for ex., razors, deoderant, shampoo, foot powder) and Internet/phone access.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
We want to make the packages useful and fun, if possible.
I have seen some sites where water guns are suggested as gifts. What a great way to cool off!
If anyone has suggestions, please pass them on
We realize that the entire crew in this hospital is of varying ages and interests, some in their 30s and some approaching 40, and of course, many who are just out of their teens.
So we are looking at treats that cross the age spectrum.
Thanks!
Megan, disabled RN/BSN. soon to be MT (ASCP)

First of all try to find out the base they are going to, and what that base offers..ie do they have a fully stocked bx/px/nx etc. Generally, when we send care packages it is based on what that person(s) requests or what the last person that went said they needed when they were there.

What branch of service are we talking about? I might be able to offer some ideas if they are AF and going to Balad or Kirkuk.

MeganNY · Sep 24, 2007

Thanks

Good questions!

they are Army Reserves, not sure yet (or they won't tell) exactly where they are going

I will find out and seek suggestions then!

thanks

megan

EowynRN · Sep 24, 2007

I did this for 3 soldiers I "adopted" a while ago, it gets expensive, but it's fun.

Food:

NO CHOCOLATE! It melts and gets gross. If you do really want to do something like this, make sure you wrap it in plastic baggies.

Sugar candies are ok like skittles.

They love slim jims, snack packs, jerky, trail mix things, anything that's easy to eat. Girl scout cookies of course at cookie time. I get the packs from costco and wrap them up.

They love dvd's...I tend to buy the used ones at blockbuster or hollywood and send those. You can get up to 4 for 20$ sometimes.

Magazines are great. All men love Maxim and any on the edge of naked women magazines, however Media is strickly forbidden for most of them. Find out what they are into. My nephew is over right now, and I subscribed to a hunting mag for him, and I have it sent to my house and then I put it in his care package.

If you want to break the rules - depending on how cool you are....send them a bottle of mouthwash, except dump the mouthwash out, put alchohol in and put in some green food coloring. I honestly never did this cause I was too worried...but it sounded like a good idea.

As for medical supplies - EYE DROPS! that's all I have to say about that.

Gennaver, MSN · Sep 25, 2007

I did this for 3 soldiers I "adopted" a while ago, it gets expensive, but it's fun.
...If you want to break the rules - depending on how cool you are....send them a bottle of mouthwash, except dump the mouthwash out, put alchohol in and put in some green food coloring. ...

Hello,

I am grateful you never did the above, (however the skittles sound great to me, next to dipey wipes!)

This advice listed above is very, very, very bad advice. If you want to completely destroy a soldier's career and reputation then that would be a route to do it.

Kind Regards,

a new 2LT,

Gen

prmenrs, RN · Sep 26, 2007

This site has some great packages for men and women: http://www.minimus.biz/default.aspx

MeganNY · Sep 26, 2007

First of all try to find out the base they are going to, and what that base offers..ie do they have a fully stocked bx/px/nx etc. Generally, when we send care packages it is based on what that person(s) requests or what the last person that went said they needed when they were there.
What branch of service are we talking about? I might be able to offer some ideas if they are AF and going to Balad or Kirkuk.

Thanks to all for suggestions. I never would have thought of hunting magazines! I will pass on the non-mouthwash mouthwash, tho it is tempting! :nono:

We just want to send some treats and fun for those of all ages/education/interests, etc.

I didn't think of used DVDs, assuming that people who watch DVDs have seen them all ... (not much of a DVD watcher, myself) but that is a great idea!

Thanks!

I am sure I will be back with more questions that Army reservists might answer, depending on the site they are sent to

Megan

patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 21, 2007

It depends who they are attached to. If they are attached to a infantry unit, their FOB may not even have a PX. If they go to a hospital unit, odds are they will have very nice PX.

BULLYDAWGRN, RN · Oct 21, 2007

i get stocked up on gold bond powder (as much of as i can get or carry), tons of jolly ranchers and gum, wet wipes, a few cans of condensed air (blowing the sand out of your weapon) are unit had a stock of that stuff to keep sand out of the monitors but ran out rather quick. i also enjoyed sunflower seeds. as far as sending ethoh, i would'nt, but believe me there are plenty who do this and not just nurses, plenty of doc's and of course other line mos's. you'll see folks come in for dt's and they'll probably have alcohol anonymous get togethers. of course i hate being a hippocrit i took a swig on good friends b-day when we were there, but only a nip and i was off duty and in a friends hooch. did i break the rules, yep, was i scared afterwards? hell yes we all were, we all rinsed with bolus amounts of listerine afterwards.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2007

Books. Books, books, books. Shampoo, deodorant, conditioner, sanitary supplies - think mjlrn's DAUGHTER. Scented soap. Body oil. Lip balm. It's DRY in the desert. Hand cream and body lotion. Moisturizer. Candies that don't melt. Cookies.

sharona97, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2007

mjlrn had mentioned airborne tablets to help with any coughs......

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Oct 21, 2007

If you want to break the rules - depending on how cool you are....send them a bottle of mouthwash, except dump the mouthwash out, put alchohol in and put in some green food coloring. I honestly never did this cause I was too worried...but it sounded like a good idea.

With all due respect, I don't think this is a good idea at all.

First, it is dangerous to be impaired AT ALL when you are in a dangerous area, and the whole place is dangerous.

Second, alcohol can be smelled on breath. If they are not supposed to have it, and you send it to them, and they get caught, they will suffer the consequences, not you.

I would discourage "breaking the rules."

I have a couple of penpals I have acquired and with whom I exchange emails. Most have unlimited (or pretty much unlimited) email access, and I understand that getting emails is huge. And free.

One has asked for something for his unit, which I sent, and then a couple of books, which I also sent. The others don't ask, and when I have offered, they have what they need.

So it will depend on the individual soldier.

But emailing can really lift morale, and its important, and the military knows it is important--so I would encourage you to find out what their military email addresses are, that they can receive and send mail using, and I'd make a point of staying in touch. (No politics, nothing controversial, just good old American newsy emails.)

Chris