An interesting discussion cropped up on an internet group I participate in. Someone posted that her friend's daughter said the military didn't provide feminine hygiene supplies and that families were expected to send such things. 

I mentioned Anysoldier, of course, and said I'd seen requests for all kinds of hygiene supplies. I also mentioned (not by name) CSM Jerry's kids and named a few things I've sent them. I thought this was a great chance to promote Anysoldier.

Now there's a post from a woman whose husband has done three tours (two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan) and she assured everyone that there was no truth to the original post -- the military supplies everything they need.  I wish she weren't so adamant; it was a good chance to get people interested in Anysoldier.  Even though what goes on here is about support, not just stuff, the fact that there are sometimes real needs does motivate people.  

Pam 

Hi Pam,

How about suggesting people come to AnySoldier and read the words of the soldiers themselves? Maybe this woman's husband had no need for any of those items, but we see day after day that there are soldiers who do.

Whenever I tell someone about AnySoldier, I make sure to tell them that they can read the words of the soldiers themselves, with no filters and almost no editing. I think it's one of the best things about AnySoldier.

Good luck!  

Jenifer:

Good suggestion, but I may wait for another opportunity. A second expert has weighed in -- she mentioned 8 years in the military (not sure if she was in the military, or her spouse was) and assured everyone that the military takes good care of soldiers.  

 It's a fairly combative group, and I'm not one of the "cool kids" so I will probably let it drop this time.

 Pam

Pam,

 Sounds like you know your group and you're probably right to back off at the moment.  If it should ever come up in the future, I have to say that I find many military people will defend the organization and they don't like to suggest that needs are being unmet.  Naturally you will want to stress tthe support not stuff aspect of AS.  But I also sometimes explain that while basic needs are met, it is the extras that really make soldiers feel special.  So you can by eating MREs for days on end, but sometimes you really crave some special food from home.  The armed forces cannot be blowing their military budgets on items like holiday decorations or the latest DVD to each small group of soldiers (although on larger bases they do really try by running movies or serving some some really fine food (like steak and lobster), but those types of things can be huge morale boosters as you know.  Also, the items supplied by the military may not be the brand that folks are used to...think Charmin tp vs some rough, generic type tp.  Then there are the problems with distribution.  Like most huge organizations, getting the right items to the right people at the right times can be a challenge.  We are more direct...put in a request for what is needed and a supporter can send it right out.  Not a lot of paperwork or requisitioning etc.  Think about how often one group has all of one item they need while another doesn't have the same exact item in stock.  This is why it is nearly impossible to make up a list of "this is what you should send" and why getting to read the soldier's own words really helps.  Sometimes I chuckle when I read one soldier's post requesting "good" coffee like Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks, while the next guy will be wanting some Folger's.    

Anyway, thanks for promoting AS.  Maybe ONE (or who know, maybe a bunch will read the posts just to be contrary and get hooked!) of your group will go online, start reading, and sponsor a soldier.  And every one counts.  So keep trying!

Kathy

 Kathy:

I looked at the post again this morning, and I think "defend the organization" is what's going on.

I have to chuckle at their comments -- I worked for a huge corporation for many years, and the stories of supply mess ups were legendary (and probably exaggerated, but still...) I personally saw something like 300 staplers come in when we ordered three, and I'm sure someone somewhere didn't have a stapler for months. I think it's safe to assume similar things go on in the military, what with hostilities and snowy mountains and sandstorms. 

 Perhaps there will be another chance to discuss AS with these folks.

Pam 

I don't believe our soldiers would ask for things that were freely supplied to them by the military.  How many times have I read that single blade razors are killing their skin!! They want decent razors and decent hygiene items.   Many of the messages I have read say that their PX is very small and never has anything or has sold out.  This has to mean that the guys and gals have to BUY their own shampoo, shaving cream, snacks and so on.  Thus when the PX is out of stuff, they are just up a creek unless they have a support system from people like us.  Also a lot of our kids are in less than comfy outposts, sleeping on the ground and not getting a shower for days on end and having to eat MRE's every day.  I have even read several soldier's posts where they are asking for tactical gear and items to clean their weapons.  The sand is terrible on their gear.

My father in law was in the Pacific during WWII and they were not supplied anything except tactical items.  The Red Cross was prominent where he was, but he had to BUY a bar of soap from the Red Cross.  He never got over that.  He cursed them till the day he died.  My brother was in Korea and my mom sent him boxes of personal care items all the time.  The bottom line in today's time is that a package from people who care is worth more in morale terms than the stuff we send.  I've had soldiers tell me that.  I only wish I could afford to send more.

Nora

Again, I think about the type of sanitary supplies the Army must come up with and shudder....lol.  Any of you older ladies remember the days of thick pads and even belts....?  We have to remember that these are, for the most part, young girls who may have only had Tampax Pearls before and their body is used to that.  Also, if they have sensitive skin and using Lifebuoy or some such soap when they need the gentleness of Caress...  I doubt the Army (or other branches) take "special orders" like my special $7/bar complexion bar I use...  And probably the PX's when available don't always stock their needs as well.  I think about those poor boys who are in the outer FOB's who are still growing "bottomless pits" when it comes to food and trying to survive on two MRE's per day.  What kind of a riot would you have at home if that is the only food they were allowed!  We provide human contact for those service people who have no one else.  We also provide the diversions and entertainment to help them deal with hours and hours of boredom and loneliness and homesickness.  Remember these are young people coming from a society that has bombarded them with tremendous mental and sensual stimulation their whole lives via colorful, loud, musical, laughing TV, games, cell phones, movies, cars, fast food restaurants, etc., etc., and most of it "on demand".  Now they are thrown into strange surroundings that are often never-ending brown of sand and dust and rocks, where their lives could be endangered at any minute...and given supplies for "basic necessities"...sigh.  I still think of Goldie Hawn in "Private Benjamin" as it "wasn't the Army [she] signed up for...  [She] was supposed to be in the one with the condos on the beaches and the designer duds...  LOL

Anyway, you are playing to a tough audience.  My suggestion is to just give them an AS card and have them check it out themselves.  Good luck!

Deb

Deb, you are so right on every count.  amen

 Hello - Just made a joke to one of my soldiers that we sometimes tell at work. I thought you all might enjoy it too. It can definitely be related to the getting of supplies sometimes - no matter where you work:

It can be like Mating Elephants - it takes lots of noise to start the process and then takes 2 years to get the results!

By the way, if you have ever looked at the beginning pay scales for the military (E 1 - 3) it makes me wonder how anyone supporting a family back home can even survive financially. I am sure that someone somewhere appreciates everything that is sent.

And I know from friends that the boredom busters are really valued! Not much to do over there off duty but watch the sand blow around! One of my friends who got back recently was not allowed "outside the wire" due to the job specialty assigned. My friend could not go anywhere outside the barbed wire fence. Kind of sounded like prison with a few privileges and a paycheck added to me! On top of that, the food in the chow hall sometimes says right on the packaging "for military or prison use" - Yuck!

Nora,

That story about the Red Cross sounds familiar to me.  My grandmother had 4 boys at one time or another in WWII (my dad had 2 children and didn't go).  After the family donating their hard-to-get pennies to the Red Cross, she found out that they were charging her boys I think it was a nickel for each - coffee and donuts.  She was infuriated, and always badmouthed the Red Cross after that because she thought that we were contributing so that they would have what they needed.  I think that the rations they had in the Army at the time was in large part some hardtack left over from WWI.

Gran

I find it hard to believe that someone would ask for sanitary supplies when instead they could be asking for snacks, candy, CDs, DVDs, pillows, etc and the niceties of life. None of those "extras" mean a lot when it's that time of the month and the cupboard is bare!

BB

my dad was in Vietnam, my grandfather was killed in WWII, and I have two groups of WWII and Korean vets that I meet with. The tales of the Red Cross selling stuff to the soldiers is true. To a man the guys in WWII and Korea bad mouth them whenever they are mentioned for that. I don't know what they do now, for soldiers, and my dad never encountered them. But, he said that the Army supplies only basic items needed to live. food, shelter and basic clothing. Nothing extra. SO if they want the things that they get from home, it is up to us to supply it! Lucky us!!

Heidi

My 2 cents:

I only did 20 years in the Army, most in the field, so I'm no expert (unlike the 'expert' with 8 years in...) but please remember one thing:  "THIS IS ABOUT SUPPORT, NOT JUST STUFF."

The military DOES take care of its own.  They DO supply all a person 'needs'.  BUT, and as PeeWee Herman said, "Everyone has a big but", there are some things missing in that statement.  Such as 'everything' is purchased from the lowest bidder (thanks Jimmy Carter).  Imagine being in the field, dirty, no shower for weeks, gotta go potty.  Ugly time in life I have to tell you.  Then, to top it off, you get to use the lowest-bidder-produced 'toilet paper'.  Oh, I simply can't tell you how much pride it causes...  Sending the troops a simple roll of 'real' toilet paper will get you a friend for life.

Part Dux:  'everything' implies that it will be there.  OK, how many times have you gone to your favorite store for something and they were out of it?  Were they dealing with IEDs?  Blackmarketing?  Sandstorms?  Not likely (unless you live in L.A.)  Point is, NO supply channel is perfect, especially in a war zone.

So, does it matter what 'expert' opinion there is on who-supplies-what?  Or what exactly the troops have? NO.

"This is about support, not just stuff."  Any Soldier Inc. asks the troops what they could use so the generous supporters world-wide (we know of 61 countrys using this web site for addresses) can send a show of support with stuff the troops could actually use.

Hope this helps.  You can BET the troops appreciate yours!!!

Marty,

I don't see many requests for Charmin or even TP...Are they all needing better TP?  I'd be happy to send some to each of my contacts, but they have never said anything...  I lived in India for a year & I do remember the "unwaxed waxed paper" they called toilet paper...ouch!  LOL

Debbie

Check out today's post by Evans, M Sgt Jan M.  The first thing requested is American toilet paper!