In response to Sgt Fitu's (1-61 A'fghan) request for "thermal wear" I connected with a local high school and they have adopted his group and raised $400 for the thermal wear.  Last month I sent Sgt Fitu a form(and addressed envelope) to indicate the items and sizes needed. I found that military.com has all the ECWCS. Have not yet heard from him which is not suprising given their situation...

Not sure if i should wait another few weeks before ordering, or to go ahead and make choices on my own. It's cold there and delivery times to his troop are unknown. One of the forum posts mention that the Army has been issuing winter wear.  Can someone tell me what items the guys receive so I do not duplicate.  And is it safe to assume that this group of guys have rec'd their Army issue winter wear?

Also, would it be a good idea to start a new thread for this group and if so, should it be titled 1-61 CAV?

Sorry for all the questions; I don't want to squander the money and do want to get these guys what they need.

Thanks.

Hey Lucy, polypropylene base layers are the very best quality but pricey. I have sent the $5 (each for top&bottom) Walmart (Fruit of the Loom) long underwear to Afghanistan and it's been well received. Awesome job getting the school involved! You'll be able to help a lot of contacts. The contacts often mention how much they appreciate hearing from kids too, if they feel like doing cards or something to send with! Shelly

I don't want to make a statement without a reference source for people to check facts on their own but this is important. I failed to book mark the article I read on a Marine site & even though I have gone back to search for it have been unable to locate it. This article was 1-2 years old.

 If anyone knows which article I'm speaking up wold you please post the link? I would like to have it bookmarked myself.

Highly ranked medical doctors made a ruling only natural fibers would be allowed to be worn "outside of the wire". This ruling was a result of many soldiers who were burned being injured far worse due to the wearing of synthetic fiber fabric blends. These materials will melt to the skin & then has to be surgically removed from the flesh. This article specifically include the "Under Armor brand" clothing I've seen soldiers requesting.

Sharon

Thanks for the recommendation. That is what I was going to send; there are 3 layers and not sure what they wanted.  Best price was $14.99 each at military.com and they will send to APO. Cards are a great idea and i encouraged them to write-not sure what they decided; I also suggested their advisor take a group photo to send.

The next post makes sense as well re natural fibers; feel like the choice is warmth vs. risk of burns.

With my critical care nursing experience, what you have mentioned has great validity and I am unsure what I will send them. I guess I can go with cotton/wool thermals and wool sweaters; concerned the warmth factor will not be very good and wool can be bulky. Do you have any suggestions to replace the synthetic blends?

Does "outside the wire" refer to being on patrol and off their home base?

Silk is a good alternative too for quality and warmth if the pricey part doesn't impact. Outside the wire indeed means off their base. Great work Lucy!!

 I, too, was looking at thermal underwear only for Christmas presents to the unit we are supporting.  That was until I found out that the stuff I wanted to send was out of my price range.  Tops and bottoms were averaging $62.00 apiece.  The reason it was so high was that they were made out of wool.  Merino wool to be exact.  It's light weight, warm even when wet, not itchy and machine washable without pilling.  Unfortunately it's expensive when you need so many pairs.

 The Marine Corps news is where the article about banned Under Armour.  

http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,93820,00.html

I ended up sending 1 pair of wool socks with a pair of polypropylene sock liners and 1 pair of wool blend (natural products) socks.  Polypropylene is not fire retardant but it wicks moisture wonderfully and the pure wool socks will itch on their own. I hope this helps keep their feet warm.  Toques were sent for their heads.  I was unable to find wool toques or balaclavas.  I'm still keeping my eyes open for wool base layers and head gear.

I've actually been surprised that Underarmor and all were ever allowed.

Instead of wool here's another all natural option: silk

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Product.aspx?baseno=12040&cdf=TopSeller

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/161,13040_Terramar-EC2-Silk-Long-Underwear-Bottoms-For-Men.html

$17.95 each piece is not cheap but better than your wool price. My husband and I have done work at the large fire camps out west and we both used silk long underwear. It does work to keep you warm.

Cabela's has silk/wool mix if you'd like that.

Thanks, Mom

Silk/wool mix sounds sumptiously cozy.

Gran

This is actually on the AS site.  What to send: tips and hints, highlighted WAY down the page, down below where it says don't send flea collars.

http://www.marines.mil/units/marforpac/imef/1stmlg/Pages/2006/Popular%20clothing%20off-limits%20to%20Marines%20in%20Iraq.aspx

I located fire retardant 100% wool baclavas at minus 13.com Cost is 14.95

Stop and Shop has 100% wool caps for $10

I just negotiated obtaining merino wool underwear developed for alpine skiers at whoelsale prices; mid wt(280g) $21, expedition wt(400g) $28.50.  Have been researching this for several weeks and these are great prices!!  I am placing an order and will personally check out the quality before shipping to troops.  If you are interested I will send you more info.  Once I know the product is AOK I will ask if he will extend discount to any soldier.

LL Bean has both wool (currently in stock) and silk  (currently out of stock) long johns in their catalog - don't know if it is online.  The wool is up there in price I think around $50 each piece, not sure.  A lot of stuff goes on sale right after Christmas tho and if you've ordered anything before the holiday there is a $10 coupon.

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that my Mom has sent Black Polar Fleece Gators to Nick, and he has requested more from her.  I just got off the phone with her and she has said that she can make about 40 more of them to send if anyone is interested.  They were a big hit with Nick and his soldier's and are very warm.

So if anyone would like some please get in contact with me and Mom will make more.  She say's it doesn't take very long to make them and is willing to make them.

Take Care

Betty

I just bougth thermals and got a great deal. Cabellas had some in the bargain bin for 9.99 because they were marked tall, my husband is not tall and they fit him just fine. They are #D seclusion. They also have these great jackets that have layers you can unzip from eachother. They are heavy regular 80.00 but were only 19.99. They also had some thermal shirt (tall) cheap.