I don't really know where to start with this - but my heart just aches for these men, right there in contact with the enemy, that need more or better weapons, armor, tactical gear, etc.  Along with all of the other things that are being requested by our men in Afghanistan,  i.e. Kristopher Carroll needing plate carriers and so many other crucial  things... is this:

On August 8th, 2LT Mario L. Barrett posted and asked, in a most humble way (in my opinion), if we could help his platoon  of 30 men with this request:

"One more thing I would like to ask for, even though I know it is kind of out there, are ACOGs for my guys. Our unit only gave them iron sights on the rifles, and the terrain calls for something that can provide magnification when in contact. An ACOG with 3x24 magnification with red cross hair reticle is what I am looking for. They are expensive, so I understand if we don't get any of these. Thank you for your support."

ACOG is the acronym for - Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight.

I have searched online for them and have not been able to find one with those exact specifications.  I have found higher magnifications and different "reticles" (chevrons, triangles, etc).  < Not sure if I used the word 'reticle' correctly >

So far, they do look to be very expensive - several hundred dollars!   Maybe someone can find better prices.  I will keep searching.  Marty, if you happen to read this - maybe you know best where to look for these?

But, my God, do these men in Afghanistan and all other combat areas, need help!!!!! 

It makes me wish that I didn't just go on vacation, or buy that new TV,  or promised my boys that they will get the new PlayStation 3 - and all of the other more frivoulous things we do with our money.  I wish that I could return all of the non-essential things that I bought to boost our troops morale - even though I know that those things are very important, too.  Starbucks coffee, DVDs, popcorn, note cards, Rice Krispy Treats, Copenhagen dip and all of the other things that fill my great room, are now being "rung up" in my mind.  I wonder if I should put all of my attention and funds toward the combat troops who are facing the enemies head on?

I am hoping to at least be able to send one ,maybe more, through a group effort with various donations...

Kaylynn

I found the ACOG he is asking for on Trijicon.com

It is Model TA50R-4 and costs $990 and then you have to get the rifle mount for it.

I have a nephew that works for a gun company. I can't remember the name of it, but he gets sent to

big gun shows all over the U.S. The company he works for sells all kinds of airguns that look like

the real thing. He also used to work in a regular gun store when he was in college. Perhaps he can find these at

a lower price or get some kind of discount.

I used to read every single post every single day and I stopped a while back because I couldn't get every Soldier every thing they needed or wanted.  But when I hear about a Soldier needing potentially life-saving equipment like plate carriers or ACOGs, I cannot turn my back.  YES, we ALL need to write EVERY Senator and EVERY Congressman and demand to know why our children are sent to fight a war without the equipment they need to survive!!!  But we alll know how fast the government responds.  So, Ruth or Kaylynn, if you can find some way to get the ACOGs that are requested and I guess to find out what's needed to mount them on the rifles, I am in!  I know nothing about rifles, scopes, anything like that, but I DO know how to spend my money on a worthy cause!  As some other AS junkie said on here somewhere, I am armed with a credit card and I know how to use it!!!

I'll follow this post to see where this goes and if need be, hit the website you found, Ruth.

Several months ago, I hand delivered a letter to my representative after reading the article on the Korengal Valley, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/magazine/24afghanistan-t.html?_r=2&ref=world&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

After giving the web site of the article, I described the different hardships and simply requested that the soldiers be given what they need.  My representative did go to Afghanistan, soon after that, but I never received a letter from him.  I will have to look into this. again.

My heart aches for these soldiers who need items.  Count me in, through a group effort to raise funds.  As with most junkies, it makes me wish that I was wealthy so that I could help more soldiers.

Because of the price of this item, even though it looks pretty clear that what Ruth is referring to is the one, I've emailed Marty to ask if he can request an update with confirmation and whatever mounts/accessories may be needed.  Optics Planet and The Tactical Store appear to be carrying this for about $140 less than list but I wouldn't want to make any mistakes on something this dear.

Hey Kaylynn,

If you want to organize something to send some of these to the troops, count me in on donating money to you.  E-mail me and let me know what you want to do.  You fly, and I'll buy some.

Mimi

Thanks soooo much to all of you!  Ruth, Lilly, blix, joCee and Mimi ~ thank you for your quick and caring response!

I am surprised at how quickly you all have rallied around this effort!  Well, NO, now that I think of it - this is what AS Junkies do often - respond with open hearts (and open credit lines -LOL).

joCee, you are very wise to check with Marty on this.  It is an expensive item and is one that must be exactly what they need.

I really do not know anything about military "equipment".  If someone knows more about it, and the stores that sell it - please feel free to take over here.  If not, I will more than gladly take responsibility for collecting donations towards a group effort and purchasing what we agree on, sending, etc.  I wish there was a way these donations could get a tax deductible receipt, but then that is not our first priority.  I will definitely copy all of you on the purchase receipts and all for your information.

Yes, I do wish I was very wealthy, too.  I can't help but look around Southern California and it's wealth, wishing that everyone would join in on AnySoldier's efforts!

We'll do the best we can for our men in combat...

Kaylynn 

I'll do what I can on this too, will wait til JoCee hears back from Marty for the exact info.    Might need to do some more fund raising for this group, very upsetting.   My congressman would be worthless on this, even if any of them cared, how many years would it take to make something happen?    Sounds like it's up to us Junkies!

Anita

Anita,

I think I just read about the plate carriers that you sent to Rodriguez (sorry, forgot his rank offhand), and that you just heard from him that they did arrive!!!  That is awesome, because I have been hearing on other threads that it sometimes takes over a month to get to A'stan and then sometimes you never know if it arrived.

Is there anything in particular that you did to facilitate this successful effort.  Certainly, if we are able to raise funds for even one ACOG, I would help that it would get there very quickly and in the right hands!!

I will chat with you in the plate carrier thread, too.  Just wanted to get everyone's experience and info to help in this effort...

Thanks a lot,
Kaylynn

Hello to all ~

Just FYI, still working on this.  I have e-mailed Marty, too.  I'm also looking to a couple friends for help in this area.   mmm... 

Check out the "plate carrier" thread in the forum if you want additional info.  Seems that both of these threads have some of the same supporters - hope we can get more AS Junkies to jump in!!

Kaylynn

Hello,

My sister asked her son, the gun nut, about the ACOGs. He and his wife, another gun nut, both told her that there are much better ones for alot less than the Trijium one I had found. She told me to call him to find out more. I have to work again tonight, so I probably won't get a chance to do that until Friday. Ryan, my nephew, also told her that they were better for the purpose these guys need them for. He met his wife at the gun range and they both shoot competitively and now he works for Umarex, a German company that makes all kinds of air guns.

Thanks for the info Ruth!  I am still waiting for more info because this is such an expensive piece of equipment.  This is not something that we all could afford to send over and then find out that they can't mount it on their weapons.  Also, we do need to see if these better sights at lower prices are indeed going to be useful.

So far, I have not sent a letter to LT Barrett because I did not want to get his hopes up.  What do you think?  Should I/we write to him for more info now?  Or, should we wait to get prices and info for the ACOGs they requested and other better ones?  I did write Marty - but no info returned.  I am wondering if this is an area he cannot get involved in.  I believe that he would have stopped us if it is something that we cannot do on our own as concerned civilians.

Thoughts anyone,

Kaylynn

Kaylynn,

Go ahead and write, can't hurt anything, right?  I have $500 budgeted towards this so I think we can get him at least ONE, especially if Ruth finds out the better, cheaper ones.  So get his hopes up 'cause he'll get at least one!!!

Thanks,

count me in for moola, Kaylynn, by the way.......where are the "hunks"......

maybe we can even get him two.......how much are they?

Mimi

Okay, I am with Lilly on what to donate for this, same amount....so that makes at least one, and I am sure we can raise some through other junkies....one I have in mind is Scubadogbones, Dan, he was in Vietnam and always wants to help the soldiers.  I will e-mail him, today.....He might not answer his e-mails if the weather is nice as he will be doing his outside work in addition to his other work.  He is always sending big purchases to our other contact Matt Vinson in Iraq.  I sent e-mail and asked for his opinion.

Mimi 

Oh Mimi and Lilly,

That is beautiful of you to make such generous donations!  I am sending out a letter today to Lt. Barrett for more information.  We will defnitely be able to send at least one (probably 2) now, maybe more...

Ruth, we will be waiting for you to post after you get to talk with your nephew in person.

Thanks,

Kaylynn