cwmom98 ~ There are a few things you need to keep in mind (and not in any particular order)
Over time "someone" within each military branch has determined what a Soldier, Marine, Airman, Coastie or Sailor needs for deployment. I certainly have my opinions about that but - they are just that - my opinions. I have asked the question over and over in the past about "why?" and I have generally gotten the same answer(s) which will be covered in all of the points I am writing.
Deployments to different places within Iraq or within Afghanistan require different "needs". I guess the military (all branches) hasn't really found the absolute key to all of those needs yet. So there is a generic list of what is issued by each military branch regardless of where the deployment will be. Granted, they do take into account weather situations, etc. One thing you might want to consider about the Soldiers in NE Afghanistan is that this is "relatively" new terrain. There's a learning curve. Each Commander DOES meet with (in theatre) and talk with the Commander they are replacing about a myriad of issues - the most important of which are the battle and logistical issues. Please keep in mind that the 6-4 (and probably others but I know more specifically about them) are building NEW OPs, etc. from, literally, the ground up.
Also keep in mind budgets constraints. Yep...confounding as it may sound the military has budgets as to what they can spend on gear and everything else.
Many times a Soldier will see a piece of gear that a buddy of his has that was not government issue. Most of the time it's an item they "like" to have and, quite honestly, may make their job easier. Does that mean it's "essential"? Not really. For example, I know a lot of people supporting the 1-26, 6-4, etc went to a great deal of expense and trouble to get plate carriers to a large number of Soldiers who preferred those over their IBA. Does that mean the Army SHOULD have issued the plate carriers. In my opinion, no. I've spoken with over 100 of the 173rd, 2-503 Soldiers who just returned for the same AO. Less than 10% of them preferred or used plate carriers. The remainder preferred the IBA for various reasons. So, again, in my opinion if the Army issues IBA and doesn't give the "option" of plate carriers that doesn't mean they are under supplying the Soldiers.
Don't get me wrong - there are times when I just sit here and scratch my head reading some of the "basic" requests. Nothing we can do about it EXCEPT call and/or write Congress. And with the new adminstration coming it TRUST ME - it's just going to get worse when they start cutting the Defense Budget. Might as well buckle your seatbelt for that one.
Also keep in mind - when you start making those calls and demanding "why?" that you must make yourself crystal clear about the specific items. The Commanders (ALL OF THEM) in Afghanistan right now have their hands FULL. Understaffed, under supplied, etc. I would ask you to be careful so as not to make whomever you are complaining to think that any specific Commander isn't taking care of his men. That's just NOT the case. Way too many in Congress and civilians throughout the nation would love ANY reason to make this more difficult than it already is for all of those who are deployed.
I guess at the end of the day it's up to each of us to determine what we can do, want to do and will do. Just because you read a "request" doesn't mean it's an essential need. How many requests have you read for Xbox and other electronic games? Are those essential? Nah. Are they a good thing for the Soldiers to have to take their minds off of what they are in day and night? Absolutely.
To me support is about more than buying and sending "things". It's about protecting our beloved deployed personnel from all of those who would love to see them fail.
I hope this helps.