Overseas Deployment Ideas

[lostman]

My nephew was recently married - eloped. So no family members were there. He is shipping out to Afghanistan in 3 weeks and we want to get him and his new bride things they can use while he is gone.

They only have one computer between the two of them. Are servicemen allowed to take laptops overseas? What about calling cards? What cards work for Afghanistan?

Any other ideas for Christmas/wedding? We will most likely do care package later as I have 4 other siblings besides his mom and we have already talked about that. But his coming in for Christmas is a surprise, last minute thing. So we wanted to do something for them but don't know what.

 

[cmvUT75]

this article may give you a good idea.

 

[cinchhorn]

the little things matter a lot; eye drops, socks, chapstick etc... Plenty of reading material is appreciated as well, even its old to you, its new to him. That aforementioned link is a good source too.

 

[lostman]

Thanks for the ideas and the link.

The "little stuff" will be sent in monthly care packages and such. We are now looking at a wedding present. Maybe a used laptop?

Any other ideas? Post 'em!

 

[HornBud]

I doubt they let them take a pc with them, but I do know they get time on communal pc's and they do have access to pcs with web cams. Is there a webcam on the house pc? A camera or camcorder would be good so he can see what's happening at home. Does the home pc have sufficient power and or bandwidth?

Think about things that would make it easier for them to stay connected, but keep in mind that he's going to be fairly limited in what he can bring so focus on what you can do on her end.

When you start sending the care packs, jerky, fritos, and peanut butter crackers go over really well.

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

Sorry for not seeing this ? earlier; I don't spend as much time on this site as I used to.

Anyhow, I am way too far away from when I enlisted to be of much use in personal experience (plus I never deployed overseas), so I sent off this thread to a good friend of mine who is an Intel Chief in the Navy (going on 25 years now).

When he's not assigned to a ship (just started a run with the Abraham Lincoln; nuke carrier), he runs around with the SEAL's; IIRC he's done 2x in Iraq & one in Afghanistan.

Here's his response:

In reply to:

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