Marty or Chrissy:  Need some help here.  Is this what you're looking for...too detailed, not specific enough, bad format?  I did one more category but do not want to try any more until I know if this is what you want (no point wasting time if this is too off base for what you have in mind).  Thanks.  Kathy

  MEDICAL 

Please fill in specific brands that you prefer.

___   vitamins:

___   pain:   __ acetaminophen (tylenol),   __  aspirin,   __  ibuprofen (motrin),  

                 other (alieve):

___   cold medicine (i.e. dayquil, nyquil, tylenol cold, airborne):

___   sinus (i.e. sudafed):

___   cough:  __ syrup (robitussin),  __  drops (halls, luddens):

___   flu (i.e. theraflu):

___   allergy (i.e. clariten, allegra, benidryl):

___   migraine:

___   anti-diarrhea:

___   anti-constipation:

___   upset stomach/heartburn (i.e. peptobismol, tums, rolaids): 

___   antibiotic cream (i.e. neosporin):

___   anti-itch cream (i.e. hydrocortizone cream):

___   anti-bug bite (AfterBite):      __bee sting (meat tenderizer):

  ___   yeast infection: (i.e. monostat):

___   anti-fungal/athlete's foot (i.e. tinactin, lotromin):

___   muscle ache/arthritis cream (i.e. bengay, biofreeze):

___   ice/cold pack:  __  instant-one use,   __  re-usable (need freezer)

___   hot pack/patch:   __  re-usable (need microwave or boiling water),  

                                  __  one time (i.e. thermapatch)

___   lip balm (i.e. blistex, carmex, chapstick):  __  with sunscreen, 

                                                                   __ without sunscreen

___   bandaids (special sizes or assortment):

___   elastic bandage (Ace) - sizes:

___   q tips,    ___ cotton balls

___   mole skin (for blisters)

___   peroxide

Additional Health Products:

___    hand sanitizer

___   sunscreen/block (SPF :    ):   __  spray on,  __lotion,   brand:

___   bug repellent:   __ with DEET,   __ without DEET

___   fly paper

___   mouse traps,    ___ rat traps

For Hospitals or Medics:

___    first aid: __  gauze,   __  tape (adhesive),  __  tape (paper),   __  sling,   __  Quick Clot

___   medical gloves :  __  latex,   __  non-latex

___   pen light,   ___  BP cuff,   ___  stethoscope,   ___  thermometer (F or C):  

___   bandage scissors,   ___  otoscope

Again, please feel free to add, subtract, change bad spelling or whatever.     

Given the time constraints placed on many of the warriors we are supporting, I am in favor of a more generic approach to the checklist rather than an item specific approach.  The support process is one in constant evolution.   The contact's needs change from day to day as they are moved from tent to hardened building, FOB to COP.  If you ask 10 different soldiers what medicine they would like for a cold you will likely get 10 different answers but the reality in most cases is that they just want the cold to be gone, they don't really care what brand the medication is (and if they do, they can add that information under a special requests section on the checklist.   I think incorporating a more generic approach in conjunction with elaborating more on the two bulletted areas on the  contact application form that deal with being specific in their requests could accomplish what we are trying to accomplish without them becoming discouraged with the process.  

The following is just a quick sampling to give you an idea of what I had in mind.

Respectfully,

Rosemary

COOKING CAPABILITIES (check all that apply)

 _____ microwave

_____ stove/hotplate

_____ refrigerator

_____ freezer 

_____ none

FOOD (check all that apply)

_____  microwavable

_____  nonperishable 

_____  homecooking-type staples (example:  flour, sugar, pancake mix)

_____  snacks:     _____ healthy (example:  protein bars, trail mix)  _____  fun (example:  chips, candy)  _____ both

CANINE NEEDS (check all that apply)    

The animal(s) I need support for is/are:   _____ Working Dog     _____ Pet

_____     dry food

_____     canned food

_____     grooming needs/leashes

_____     pet health 

OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS  (check all that apply)

_____  cough/cold/flu

_____  pain relief

_____ muscle ache and pain creams/patches

_____ first aid

HUMANITARIAN NEEDS--support for the locals (check all that apply)

_____ school supplies

_____ small toys for the children

_____ individually wrapped candies

_____ clothes for adults

_____ clothes for children

CLOTHING  (check all that apply)

_____  military issue

• items    __________
• colors   __________
• sizes    __________

_____  civilian

• items    __________
• colors   __________
• sizes    __________

ENTERTAINMENT (check all that apply)

_____ DVDs

_____ CDs

_____ books

_____ magazines

_____ puzzle books/word find books

_____computer games

_____  gaming systems  (specify system)   ____________________

          system needed     _____      games needed    ______

SPECIAL REQUESTS:   Please enter here any preferences you may have for brand names or items/special needs  that would be helpful to those for whom you are serving as contact that were not covered above.  Bear in mind that any information provided on the checklist or in this special requests section is to help us better help you.    ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rose,

I like your idea of general categories with special requests added.  That might work.

Gran

Aye, I'm with Gran, Rose... you're list looks good.

I'd like to add coffee maker to cooking capability and treats and toys to the dogs list..

Shelly

Hello everyone,

  I was asked to weigh in on this. As a contact i think Rose has come up with a simple form. Some of us depending on location and internet time constraints dont have a lot of time to fill out long forms. MWR computers are fifteen minutes at a time, but this form looks simple and quick. As a contact, i admit when i filled out the info i didnt know what to put on there and i didnt know what to expect really in the mail. When we recieved our first packages and letters we were delighted and thankful for what we received. I received feedback from people asking us for specific needs and requests. We really didnt know what to say. You have to understand it from our point of view, we know this is based on the generosity of people and that what we receive is an out-of-pocket expense for them. We dont want to ask for things that may cost too much because we know the cost already. Beef Jerky for example isnt cheap. Trail mix isnt either. We are happy just to receive letters, the food items are an added treat. This website shows the true power, spirit and patriotism of the American people.

  I think this form becoming part of the initial signup would be beneficial to both the soldier and to the sender. Simple is the key.

SGT Nevels

SemperFi73:

For those Marines requesting books from the Marine Corps Reading list, it would help to know for which rank.  It's hard deciding which books to send them, not knowing if the ranks go from privates and up or if the unit is made up of NCOs and officers.

I'd sure like to know ranks for the (requests) to build libraries of the Marine Corps Reading list because I've long sent my copies of "Rifleman Dodd", "Art of War", "On Combat" and "Ender's Game" (okay, the last one was just mine). Also vote for the simplicity of Rosemary's list: http://forum.anysoldier.com/forums/post/26137.aspx but would like to add "Size" to any request of (warriors') clothing. A pair of boots is a three-month savings in this household, we have faith they would be passed along, but would like to think they'd fit.

Just a thought on Rose's list.  Under cooking capabilities, I never know if "no cooking capabilities" in a post means they don't have any but would like a hotplate (microwave, coffeemaker and such) OR if they are not authorized to have any due to fire hazards.

AnnaS 

Same here, AnnaS. 

 I think Rose's list is terrific.  Like SteveO said, some guys/gals don't have any idea what to request, so this would be helpful.  It's not too detailed so as to bog them down in the sign-up process. 

Under the cooking stuff we could also add hot pot.  I've sent a lot of those.  And like Anna said, it is helpful to know if they have any of these things available to them, or if they don't but would like to have them and are authorized to use them.  I would hate to send something like a hotplate to someone who isn't allowed to use one and have it take up space and gather dust when there is another soldier somewhere else who could really use it.

Yeeaah for the generic list!!  It's got my vote.  I think it will make it much more efficient for those with limited time to be able to sign up.  Just read a post recently where the contact said he had some really short time like 5 minutes or something like that to do his post - of course it wasn't a sign up but a follow-up post.  Nevertheless - love the generic list.

Ann

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to say thank you for your suggestions and let you know that we are considering them carefully.  We want to stay simple and generic, but want the soldiers to know what IS available to them.  Rose's list seems to be very popular with everyone.  Thank you Rose.  We will keep listening to suggestions and let you know soon.

 Chrissy

Hi Chrissy,

First, let me say that the generic list was to give you an idea of what I had in mind.  It was the middle of the night when I came up with it and all the brain cells were a little tired .  There are of course things that would need to be added including categories such as toiletries, etc.

As far as letting the soldier's know what is available, I have felt for a while now that this is an issue that needs to be addressed.  Those of us who are supporters who have been sending packages and worked with the site for awhile know how it operates.  On the other hand, I am not sure all of the warriors do.  If when they are filling out their application it is their first time on the site and they have not actually seen the results yet, there could be a little confusion (again, the emphasis being placed on time constratints--they want very much to sign up but don't have a lot of time to do a lot of reading on just how the site works).  I have the impression that some of the warriors have Any Soldier pictured as a warehouse with rows and rows of items they can select from.  This is evidenced when you see them ask for a specific number of items (example, "could you please send 3 keep-coffee-hot carafes for the recreation area coffee bar" or they say, "we asked for 5 whatevers and we didn't get any....or we asked for 5 whatevers and got 15."    Somewhere (and maybe it's on the site and I just don't remember seeing it) it might help to have a place that states that for the most part (aside from the "other efforts") Any Soldier really has no control over how much does or does not get sent to any one contact.  Those using this forum sometimes coordinate projects and address specific needs, but for the most part nobody really knows how many people are sending to the contact.  The number or requests for contact, as wel all know, is not an accurate indicator of what is being sent.   I'm starting to ramble here, so I think I will stop while I am ahead

Rosemary

Just thought of an analogy to add to my previous ramble....I think that some of the contacts picture Any Soldier supporters as volunteers but that the process sort of operates like a Food Pantry....where the volunteers show up to pack boxes and not that the boxes are going to be packed in homes all over the country....of course, after they get their first onslaught of boxes, they know.   It is the initial contact with Any Soldier during the application process where I think some confusion comes in to play.

Also, on a forum one does not have the benefit of hearing voice inflections, etc so please do not interpret any of my comments as criticisms.  I am just making observations to maybe make the BEST warrior support system in the world even better.  

Rosemary

This is a good discussion, and I hope it goes on a while here - but I'm going to introduce a thought that might be unpopular, but I'll say it anyway because it has affected the way I've chosen AnySoldier postings and I believe it may affect how a busy soldier might deal with AS.  

As far as I know, at this time, most postings do appear to understand that it is individual people writing letters and packing boxes from their own larders.  Yes, I'd like to know if they have a coffee pot (maybe I have coffee, or an extra pot to send) but an overly detailed long-long-long checklist to fill out, even simply (e.g. peanut butter, check ___smooth or ___ crunchy) and tactical items, holy cow - talk about raising expectations --- and by the way, I've bought them - the real stuff is @!#$-expensive (and they were grateful) but it does seem to me an overly detailed list would very, very, very much set-up expectations that may not be fulfilled.  There's many things I'd like to know about "my" soldier's circumstance, but you know - (and here's where I'm going to get unpopular, real fast) AnySoldier isn't about us.  Not about our convenience; at least I didn't think so. 

I'm fairly new to the Forums, but not to writing into field. I've been very lucky to have return correspondence, quite a bit of it. Yes, I'm spoilt. But I'll tell you, like many, I guess at what they REALLY need but I do know they are very busy, most have little storage, many spend most time outside the wire, and less time on-line than the majority of us. This idea that the average soldier is going to advise us of where to purchase super-purple-gumbo-flavored-crunchies floors me. Yes, it happens - I've seen specifics, particularly for gear, in postings - they need something tactically real, they explain it some, maybe need somebody to facilitate (do a search) or just do the purchase. Well good. Step up the to bar and do it.  But to have for every sugar-salty-color- texture, tell-me-where-to-buy-your-favorite-toy *** all of that in a check list sure sounds like like a burden.   And what happens to those guys who get into it, carefully giving internet time to check every box and end up not receiving? It will happen. And what about new supporters? New people, viewing the website, thinking some requisite (huge) laundry list is something they have to supply. Right off the bat I can tell you I have consistently SKIPPED-OVER those postings that list 30 kinds of name-brand items that say inbetween ("and sent me this, and this, and for me, and for me"), writing to the ones who say, "thank you, we're okay" or "minimum only, we share" or "we'd really like to hear some encouraging words" and "thank you so much for knowing we're here").  I've also sent my own laptop into field, because in correspondence learned, that's what they really needed.  Look, all these are "our kids" but please tell me this improvement is not about "stuff", that we're not making this our convenience about buying "stuff", particularly about imposing an implied guarantee about their receiving SPECIFIC "stuff". 

Yes, I'm sure my words here will rub a good many the wrong way.  But I'm saying it out loud because improving a check list is a truely GREAT idea. But placing any burden (on them) for our convenience is not.  And yes, I'm among the ones who actually do want to know.  But you know, there is education to be had through participation, through writing.  Through reading the website, beyond "my own" guys & gals.  No, I never write "tell me what you need".  But I have written, "I'd like to send a ____, with your permission" with a self-address postcard and sometimes, receive a prompt "yes 'mam, carry on".  Sure, many supporters are not going to write to American Sniper (.com) to hunt down the correct thing-a-ma-jig, their snipers requested then blow their entire tax return on it (well... okay, maybe I'm not alone in that).  But anyway, there's plenty who do a darn good job just sending Oreos with their letters (or thank you - just THE LETTER!).  And - something else - somewhere (here on AS) there already is a list of what color tee-shirt is appropriate for which service. Aren't we all supposed to be reading the website? So maybe expand some of that (the black, tan, olive socks, the white PT socks, what is PT gear, etc. etc.), understanding the difference between chocolate-season and do-not-send-chocolate-season [Capt-B sure had decriptive words for that].  As far as where to get BDU's, insignia, certain common tactical items - I bet supporters could make quite a list of their own to any query in the FORUMs, just from their own education through actual warrior contacts and their subsequent web searches.

I'm not meaning to hurt any supporters' feelings, nor to stop a good idea from progressing.  Just feeling very protective of "MY" guys in field. Twice a month the tail end of my laundry quarters mount up enough for that single can of Skoal wintergreen I've been sending into field for the past five months, carefully wrapped separately for one particular soldier who's NCO says "he works hard, doesn't talk much, but smiles some when your box comes in 'mam".  Please don't make it too hard for those men and women who would never ask for anything.  Or set up so many specifics that imply a potentially empty promise to some warrior already feeling remote in field, because for them (what I do know) is that this is not a recreational sport.   

Okay... ready for the backlash.

I thought that I read the title of the thread is "Help Design a New Request Checklist".  That is what we are doing, I think, on this thread.  Since the contacts sometimes ignore the guidelines that exist now, they will still have that choice.  I personally skip the contacts' posts when they ask for something that I can't furnish and say nothing else.  I am not a mind-reader, and don't like sending packages to people/places that are totally foreign, and I don't if they don't give some kind of info.

Gran

    I for one am not wanting this for myself.  I have certain items in my "storeroom" that I'm looking for good matches to send to. 

    I'm not very psychic and want my efforts to be worthwhile and make someone's day a  little happier because they happened to open up a care package with a blanket, a book, or a Texas Hold'Em game set that they really could use or wanted. 

    Some contacts are inundated with lots of what they ask for. I would hope that with this new check list, more contacts would have similar requests so that we could spread out the "wealth".   

     There can be a disclaimer at the top of the list  stating that the contact person does not have to do the survey  if they don't have the time or if they have a better idea on what they could use.  It also can state that it can be done anytime not just the initial registration visit. 

    I hope I'm wording this correctly where it makes sense.