I will start off by writing some things that most soldiers have plenty of or have easy access to getting at least in our case. Therefore they really don't need a lot of the following.

pop tarts, muffins and, drink mixes such as crystal light & gatorade.

Some of the things that are always good:

Cashews, pistachios, beef jerky ( my favorite from Ralph's packing company in Perkins Oklahoma) the world kitchens from wal-mart is a good choice also inexpensive for what you get, dry roasted peanuts, candy such as hot tamales, skittles, mike and ikes, gum, twizzlers. Kraft easy cheese in the bowls, the easy cheese in a can, ritz, crackers in general, Just about any of the dinty moore microwavable meals or similar things, bread mixes ( we have bread machines because the bread is not any good here always dry), someone asked about cheese, you can send hickory farms style cheese and it is pretty good, to hot for chocolate or anything with chocolate on it now, Summer sausage is big hit also but not thought of much.

Good personel hygiene items for either female or male;

Bath and body works is always a plus with the girls especially the oriental collection from what I here cherry blossom or something like that, axe  is a good one for the guys deoderant (solid the white solid) or any of the body washes (my favorite is the CoBigelow mentha body wash from bath and body works, but don't let that get out to much, might lose some respect with the guys). Irish Spring is another good one for the guys, can't remember for sure but there is an almond, and another white tea body wash they have at walmart that is a good guess also, just about any razor refills ( they tend to be more expensize, but they get used and last longer for the most part) Gel shaving cream for both, Let me see that is all I can think of for now.

 Other items:

Horse shoes(we have a ton of sand and space), water guns(no ballons no where to fill them up),DVD's newer ones, between the soldiers they have most of the older ones(Haji copies are hit and miss), Cards for wives, husbands, children, birthdays, anniversaries, just because (some good ones, same selection here over and over, pick them as if you were buying them for your own family have fun with it someone will have someone they can send it to), Music CDs aren't to good anymore with MP3's, shared files, and I -Tunes around.

Well That's it for me for now, please email me with any questions.

christopher.sproul@usarmy.mil

Just wanted to say welcome and thanks for the great info!  (Sorry, no advice to offer on the pit though).

And...THANKS! for what you do!!!
 

Anna S 

Sgt.,

Thanks much for taking the time to post your message.  We appreciate all the input we can get for guidance, but a lot of the packages that some of us are sending are going to the troops at patrol bases or outposts that ask especially for the drink mixes - we get many requests for those.

We appreciate your help.

Gran

That's cool like I said it may be different for them. Shoot me an email and give me a contact and I can hook them up, shipping APO to APO is free and I work in supply and have cases of gatorade, crystal light, and tang sport I can't give away.

Hey, that's great news to hear!  Thanks a bunch for that piece of info.

Gran

sgtsproul,

I sent you a pm. 

Alison

I sent you a PM as well, THANKS!!!!

What's the deal w/ twin sheets? Does every soldier get one set? Do some have no sheets at all?

Sheets nor pillows are provided by Uncle Sam any longer.

My bud in Iraq (the one that forgot how to write any more) told me that the military quite providing sheets & pillows some years back.

They were told approx 1 month proir to deployment to purchase their own.

I was told as well by a couple of my guys that they are not supplied with sheets or pillows. I've sent many a box of pillows and sheets

Pam

 Are the full size pillows preferred or is the travel size ok?

Joy 

Actually it depends on where you are, there are a lot of places that stil provide them, they just may not be the best at all times. Where I am at some people recieved new sheets and pillows, some recieved old. Those who didn't after I read this I asked, I sent to the KBR billeting office to go sign for thiers. Sometimes it is just the fact that soldiers do not know it is available to them and they just need to ask. I always take this into account and try to make sure that every one knows what there is available to them.

NOW don't get me wrong, because I know there are some places that do not get linens. Most of these will be out posts and places where they are still residing in tents or on cots.

Hope this helps.

That's an easy one, which woulld you prefer....It just depends if they are moving a lot or stationary. Moving a lot we prefer little pillows to save room, if we are stationary we want the full size, the bigger the better. Personally I have been told I am a pillow hog....well that and bed and sheet hog as well.

Ok I am good on the list of people needing drink mixes now. I will just cycle through the list an make sure I send them all as much and as often as I can.

Thanks for all the help.

sgtsproul,

Thanks so much for doing this for us (the soldiers) It will make the much required water alittle less boring. That was so thoughtful of you to mention here.

God Bless, Alison