I have a friend who is shipping out to Afghanistan for a 18 month tour and I was wondering if anyone has an idea for something to get him, Ive already gone over the idea of getting him a ka-bar but then I realized that the army gives them knives, and i do plan on mailing him packages of dip while he is in Afghanistan.

so im open to good ideas, and looking in the range of $100 or so.

IDK anything ATM But i do wish ur friend the best of luck as he protects this countries freedom's and democracies!! I wish him a safe and happy deployment and wish him the best of luck on his journey

We have several folks here who have been on deployment in the desert; I'm sure someone will check out this thread and give you some ideas. You might check the Token thread in the n00b membership forum for some ideas, too.

what is his job in the military? if hes going to be away from bases get him stuff like raviolis, chili... anything canned really. beef jerky is always awesome but expensive. I always loved baby wipes, but that was a preference i think. I think canned goods was my #1 favorite

thanks for the good ideas

18 months...army? if he's infantry i can find the link to some caffeinated dip that i got sent to me when i was in the ghan. if he's not going to be standing post or sitting on ied cordons for F*CKING ever then just send him whatever he already likes, bc it doesn't taste too great but it works. also, sending it regularly is awesome bc it doesn't last too long and what you can get over there on the bases is shit compared to stateside tobacco. powerbars were money for me. just throw a few in a pouch and if you get stuck out somewhere you won't get too hungry. socks (i'd get a lot, and just wear a pair for a day or 2 and toss them), burn new movies as you can get them...also tv series'. can't really think of much else

This. Ive had 5 friends do multiple tours in Astan and Iraq and this is pretty much what they've wanted. Also another thing, Im not sure if this is till relevant, Silly string. My 2 buddys in Iraq used silly string for IED and boobytrap sweeps by using it to check for trip wires. Seems weird and simple but hell it really could save someone some pain....or death. Plus when the mofos got all stir crazy they ran around their FOB spraying eachother in homoerotic glee.

Hey guys, isn't that name familiar lol!

Get him a portable hard drive, preferably of the 2.5" variety (no need for external power). Fill it with goodies.

I have a buddy of mine who spent a few good years in Iraq and movies/music/TV shows got traded like smokes in a prison.

I will agree with Das on baby wipes but that's my preference to. I always liked food anything canned usually works. But like they said it depends were you are going to if you are working from a fwd op base you will have less access to normal stuff so it depends on were they are being stationed. I only spent 3 weeks on the ground in Afghanistan last time I was there so we didn't really bring shit with us so I don't know how often the little stores on the base run out of shit. Also sock's and underwear are awesome because laundry blows big nuts. At least it did on the ship not 100% sure about in country but it's the military so I imagine its the same also body soap shampoo shit like that is awesome tobacco products even if you don't use them. I like to hustle so I make money off them people pay high prices for it.

If hes infantry he'll appreciate the simple things... Pretty much online with what others have said Baby wipes, canned/non perishable food (jerky, chef boyardee, spaghettios), extra socks, underwear ,etc

Dude as far as a Kbar is concerned don't F*CKING bother...All hes gonna need is...his baby:

He needs this gun

porn....and lots of it. if hes a fobbit, then movies galore

if hes a boom-squatter, as much tobacco and beef sticks as you can cram in a box.

ok update so it turns out his deployment was moved up from September to March and my friend said that hes leaving this saturday, would someone enlighten me as to wether or not hes shipped out for good this saturday or would he be given a few days leave before he ships out? im just confused and would like to know what the deployment process is for the Army?

eidt: his facebook status
"New deployment date I leave this Saturday to jersey for three weeks for some weapons training, then deploying to Afghanistan on *edit*soon. I'm glad I have a great girlfriend that's behind me in this 100%"

deployment leaves are traditionaly taken in a structured way before leave, but not the 30 day block leave which you're thinking about. now units are different, but the leave taken before the deployment is usualy a few months before the actual movement date. this is discressional as he just found out, boots-on-ground dates can change at a moments notice, i think 24 hours full unit tactical readiness. 2 hours for the torch team. its when he gets back that the 30 day block leave starts, usualy either right after they land back, or about a week or so afterwards.

leave windows are managed by units and not the army itself, thus one units policy on when a soldier can take leave is different than another units. you might wanna ask him about it, but also understand that if he gives out a date, keep that to yourself. everyone in the world doesnt need to know when his unit is moving out...in all actuality its kind of dangerous for them.

ok thanks for the info and I edited out the shipout date aswell

Rick tell your friend to find the blue star mothers in his area they do alot for soldiers with and without family and friends to help them out when they go over with care packages and letters which both are great.
http://www.bluestarmothers.org/mc/page. ... geId=59966