Things To Send To Troops While Deployed

Do you have a family member or friend deployed overseas in the military and want to know what to send them? Here is a list of of requested items, guaranteed to make life on base brighter and to remind them of home

British Army working during the Field Training Exercise © U.S. Army Europe

It’s tough on any relationship when a loved one is deployed thousands of miles away. A thoughtfully prepared care package is a great way of sending them a little bit of home and making their time away a bit more comfortable. This comprehensive list is full of practical ideas of what to include.

What To Consider When Preparing Your Deployment Care Package

Care packages must be labelled with a name and address. There are many organisations you can contact if you don’t have a loved one in service and just want to show your support. This list of vetted organisations is provided by the US Department of Defence. The Ministry of Defence in the UK warns that unsolicited parcels can end up causing bottlenecks, especially in the run-up to Christmas, and recommends cash donations to an organisation like uk4u Thanks! instead.

Care packages sent via the USPS in the United States or the BFPO in the UK will typically take 7 to 14 days to arrive, but this could be longer, depending on the destination. It’s best to assume a 6-week arrival. So leave plenty of time to get everything prepared and be sure to check shipping deadlines if you are sending a parcel for the holidays.

Size and weight restrictions are subject to change according to location and unit. If you can’t find this out in advance, a good rule of thumb is to base your package on the size of a shoebox.

The rules for prohibited items also change from time to time. Check the official list for restricted items with the British Forces Post Office or for the United States Postal Service. Most of these are common sense but there may be additional items you cannot send and you should give some thought to what might offend local people. Talk to your military contact if you’re unsure about anything.

Your parcel may spend time in extreme temperatures, so consider possible delays and the climate when deciding what to pack. It’s generally best to avoid perishables, things that melt, or electronic devices that can explode in the heat. Be careful about what goes in the the same box and how you pack things together – particularly anything with a strong odour. You might end up with antiperspirant snacks once toiletries and food have been too close to each other in extreme heat!

Pack well to protect your parcel against damage in transit. Avoid fragile items if possible or make sure these are fully cushioned. Keep items that might leak in thick plastic zip-lock or freezer bags, which your service man or woman will find useful for other things. In fact, it’s good practice to seal every item individually to protect against sand, rain, or whatever else it might come up against. To make the best use of space, pad your box with softer items such as packs of tissues and wet wipes, rather than packing materials. Don’t pack too tight – make sure there’s some wriggle room in there.

Make a note of items as you pack and include a card listing the contents, with the recipient's details and your name clearly marked. You might even put something like a small red sticker on each item. If any articles fall out in transit, it will be clear what belongs in the box. It’s also a good idea to number all mail, so your recipient knows to be on the lookout for anything that is taking longer to arrive.

The British Forces Post Office site has full details of costs, customs declarations, and how to address mail sent from the UK to British military personnel. Check the USPS site for the most up-to-date information for shipping to American forces from the United States.

Things sometime go missing. It’s a good idea to get insurance if you’re sending anything valuable. Ask at the post office.

Finally, it’s important to remember that local conditions vary dramatically and the same person may have different needs as circumstances change. Some things will be freely available where they are but they may not have access to a microwave or DVD player, for example. Take a guess first time around, then ask what they actually want. Personal items that remind them of family and home will always be welcome.

Food, Drinks And Snacks To Include In A Deployment Care Package

An army marches on its stomach and, despite some practical restrictions, there’s no end to what will brighten up a solider’s day. Always go for small items that are easy to carry around and will endure extreme temperatures or a bit of roughing up. Mainly, you’re looking for quick hits of flavour and energy, something to add sparkle to meal times. Also, look out for things that have personal association or are locally specific and hard to come by away from home, such as sauce from a favourite restaurant.

• Food – Variety is the spice of life and your service man or woman will appreciate anything that livens up an MRE (Meal Ready To Eat). Experiment and have some fun.
  • Instant Meals – Bricks of ramen noodle, different flavours of tasty savoury rice, and packets of soup are all great ways to fill up with minimum resources. Instant Mac And Cheese provides a satisfying sense of comfort. Get a mix that just needs hot water.
  • Fish – Small pouches of tuna and tins of sardines are protein rich and store well. Make sure any cans have a ring pull.
  • Condiments – Send individual portions of seasoning, sauces, relishes. Popular items include exotic spices, hot sauce, and small pots of luxury relishes. Stock cubes or even freeze-dried vegetables are quick and easy ways to add variety to food.
  • Peanut Butter – A spoonful of peanut butter also provides a great hit of energy. Go for sachets if you can and be extremely careful how you pack!
  • Custard – You can get powdered custard in a variety of flavours. Small tins of condensed or evaporated milk make a good complement if you are sure they won’t get spoiled in transit or heat.
• Drinks – Rehydration is a serious issue in many military zones. Varieties of powdered drink helps keep fluid intake high.
  • Powdered Drink Mix – Anything that can be mixed with water is a treat. Sweetened summer mixes, such as lemonade and iced tea, are perfect. Powdered energy drinks are also easily mixed up and carried in a water bottle.
  • Hot Drinks – It can also get cold, so warming drinks such as hot chocolate, cocoa, instant coffee, and tea bags will help with this.
• Snacks – A good snack will lift spirits, relieve boredom, and give a burst of energy.
  • Pretzels – Pretzel sticks have a better chance of surviving the journey. Salty snacks are great for those deployed in hot climates, as they encourage lots of fluid intake. See also pork scratchings.
  • Nuts – These are perfect, as they come in many different varieties and types of packaging. Small, hard containers are best for all snacks but, as with all things, protect in small zip-loc bags, which can also be useful to divide up snacks for carrying around.
  • Crisps and Potato Chips – Get can-based brands like Pringles, otherwise they’ll be dust by the time they arrive. Even these can get crushed, so protect well. Bags of ready-to-eat or microwave popcorn have an extra advantage when used as packing material. Make sure they aren’t covered in sticky sauce and double bag them.
  • Cheese Crackers – A selection of other savoury biscuits and oatcakes can bring a bit of variety as well.
  • Beef Jerky – Be sure to go for non-perishable makes. See also beef summer sausage.
  • Energy Bars – These give a quick protein boost and vitamin-laden energy sweets can be carried around for an instant hit.
  • Sunflower Seeds – These are lightweight and healthy. Similarly, trail mix contains a bit of everything. Packets of dried fruit can also be sent and even small tins of fruit should be durable enough. Again, make sure these have a ring pull.
  • Cookies – There’s nothing like home-made cookies and cakes, but favourite brands like Oreo might be exactly what’s required to think of home. Shortbread is a source of fast energy and can be bought in handy packs of one or two fingers.
  • Snack Cakes – Cakes are a favourite. Again, these can be sent over in small, individual portions. Check the expiry date.
  • Candy – Avoid chocolate and anything that might soften and melt in the heat. Hard candy brands like Jolly Rancher or Love Hearts are the best thing to go for. These are particularly good for sharing with local children, as are lollipops. Gum and mints also useful for keeping mouths fresh.

Toiletries To Include In A Deployment Care Package

Getting clean is a great morale booster. And ask well in advance, so that items arrive when needed and not a month or two later. Use small, travel-sized packaging and never send pressurised containers like aerosol cans. The same rules apply to liquids as food stuffs. Make sure everything gooey is individually sealed and unlikely to ruin the rest of the parcel.

• Foot Care – Military feet see a lot of action, so any TLC is going to be a treat.
  • Moleskin – This will help with any blistering and small packs of plasters are useful.
  • Medicated Foot Powder – Ask about specific conditions like athlete's foot, which can become a scourge if not property treated.
  • Shoe Inserts – A well-fitting insert can make a boot more comfortable and sweeter smelling.
  • Nail Care – There’s a whole range of equipment for pedicures. Why not send over a manicure set while you’re at it?
• Dental Care – A healthy mouth is just as important to a sense of well-being as healthy feet.
  • Toothbrushes And Toothpaste – These are probably easily obtained but it’s always worth checking if your service man or woman has any special requests.
  • Dental Floss – Supplementary dental products like floss and toothpicks might be less common and could be a good thing to send over.
  • Lip Balm – A quality lip balm product like Burt’s Bees will help repair damage done by a harsh climate.
  • Fresh Breath – Send small bottles of mouthwash, or leave off the list completely and stick to dental gum. It’s also worth checking if something like CloSYS or Corsodyl is required for small medical complaints.
• Personal Care – Many personal care items will be readily available to troops, but you can always pick out an unusual or luxurious variation that may not be available locally.
  • Baby Wipes – These are top of this list with good reason. As well as cleaning up in virtually any situation, baby wipes are useful for an endless number of tasks – from makeshift toilet paper to cleaning dusty windshields. Make sure you include some in every care pack.
  • Shower Wipes – It may be problematic to send quantities of liquids, so consider sending shower wipes instead of shower gel.
  • Hair Care – Check regulations before sending travel-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Other kinds of hair-styling product should be fine. Grooming items like hairbrushes and combs may need replacing.
  • Skin Care – Tubs of Nivea cream or other skin lotions are great for reviving tired skin. Bodyglide,small bottles of talcum powder or K-Y Jelly can ease chafing and sweaty discomfort. And hand sanitiser can be bought in tissue form. You’ll need to make a judgement call whether to send sticks of sunscreen (which can melt in transit), tubes of cream, or bottles of non-aerosol sprays.
  • Deodorant – Similarly, roll-on deodorants might not survive the journey, so you might want to send a non-aerosol spray instead.
  • Eye Drops – For those deployed in dusty places, eye drops are a godsend. A small bottle should be okay to pack, but double check current restrictions first.
  • Miscellaneous – A nice loofah can be good for the shower and a backscratcher can be surprisingly effective. Cotton swabs, Q-tips, and individual packs of tissues won’t take up much room, and you never know if spare toilet paper is required, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Finally, you can pack out the box with feminine hygiene products if appropriate.
• Shaving Products – As with skin care products, there’s scope for a bit of luxury when it comes to a superior shaving experience.
  • Shaving Lotions – Avoid the ban on pressurised containers by sending something like King of Shaves. There are also some very posh skin products for post-shaving. Remember that aftershave will be considered a perfume, which is forbidden.
  • Razors And Blades – Shaving hardware should be easily available to most service personnel, so ask if there is anything special they’d like.
• Medication – General medication should also be widely available but it’s always a good idea to check, in case specific items are required. Cross-reference with the list of prohibited items.
  • Pain Relief – Tablets such as aspirin, paracetamol, or similar can help with a broad range of complaints. Pain-relief products like IcyHot also counter the physical strain of military life and Vick’s VapoRub is also highly requested for lifting the spirits.
  • Antihistamines – Make sure any remedies for allergies arrive in good time, especially if seasonal.
  • Indigestion Tablets – If the military diet is causing havoc, abox of Rennies might be welcome. Similarly, Imodium may not be the most romantic gift, but it is undeniably useful in an emergency.
  • Insect Repellent – Health concerns aside, an effective insect repellent can keep irritating bugs at bay.

Clothing To Include In A Deployment Care Package

Being in the field can be dirty work and even military desk jobs can be in a sweaty environment. So, any clothing is going to be about helping your service man or woman stay comfortable in any extreme.

• Basics – Whilst we may take our socks and undies for granted, these daily essentials need to be up to scratch if they’re going to make life on duty bearable. Clean under garments are essential to feeling human, but they need to stand up to unique circumstances.
  • Underwear – Gents will want boxer briefs to keep everything in place and cut down on chafing. Recommended are Under Armour, Adidas Climalite, and ExOfficio Give-N-Go. Women may appreciate some of the smarter and more practical end of Victoria’s Secret Panties range.
  • Combat Socks – Thorlos make durable Combat Boot Socks, designed for duty, as well as Extreme Cold Hunting Socks, engineered for sub-zero temperatures. Darn Tough’s range of boot socks are all-weather, antimicrobial, and also come in women’s sizes. You’ll also want to consider off-duty socks for leisure time.
  • T-Shirts – ExOfficio also make great t-shirts, specifically designed for extreme conditions. The Give-N-Go is antimicrobial and made from breathable mesh.
  • Headwear – Protective headgear is a must in the heat. Baseball and tactical caps bring a bit of personality, with logos from home or favourite teams. Like wet wipes, bandanas are fantastically versatile and can be put to hundreds of different uses.
  • Drier Sheets – Another multi-purpose item, drier sheets can be used to keep clothes and quarters (and footwear) fresh, and are pretty stubborn at helping keep things clean.
  • Tactical Gloves – You may need some feedback on buying a suitable pair of work gloves, as these will very much depend on the specific duties they are used for. It’s also vital to get a pair with a good fit. Mechanix Wear and the Hatch Specialist All-Weather are both excellent all-purpose tactical gloves, whilst the PIG Full Dexterity Alpha is designed for greater mobility and tactility, and feature innovative features, such as touchscreen use.
  • Boot Laces – Miscly and Ironlace both make heavy-duty laces to withstand as much wear and tear as possible, though Desert Tan Nylon Speedlaces are designed for tactical combat boots.
  • Sewing Kit – Though a one-off purchase, a small sewing kit can help extend the life of necessary clothing, and many find mending and repairing a relaxing activity.
  • Lens Cleaning Cloths – Most military personnel will find themselves in dry, dusty, and sandy terrain. But, soldiering can be dirty work regardless of location. Lens cleaning cloths and small bottles of glass cleaner will always be useful for sunglasses and goggles.
• Climate Extremes – Whilst day-to-day items need to be flexible enough to tackle a variety of conditions, there are always specific bits of kit designed expressly for extreme temperatures.
  • Sunglasses – A good pair of shades will be welcome in any bright location but check with your service member to see if they have more particular requirements. As with tactical gloves, different kinds of sunglasses will be more appropriate, whether they be goggle-style, mil spec, or ballistic.
  • Hand And Foot Warmers – Disposable, air-activated hand and foot warmers will make all the different anywhere the temperature drops rapidly during nightfall. Hothands take a while to warm up but give up to 10 hours of heat.
  • Fingerless Gloves – PIG Full Dexterity Alpha are designed for greater mobility and detachable or fingerless tactical gloves are available. However, some Floso 3M Thinsulate fingerless thermal gloves might be just the thing in certain situations.
  • Night Headwear – As with baseball caps, stocking caps bring an individual touch, as well as protection against the cold.
  • Long Underwear – Base layers and thermal underwear can make a long, cold night bearable. Tommy John SleekHeat Long Johns bring an element of temperature control, so they don’t overheat.

Entertainment To Include In A Deployment Care Package

Relieving boredom is up there with personal comfort or staving off hunger for every deployed individual. So any kind of entertainment is going to help fill empty time. As with food, this is a matter of personal taste, but it’s also worth experimenting, as novelty can be very effective too.

• Reading Material – Make sure any books are paperbacks, to keep the weight down. Magazines and newspapers are an excellent source of up-to-date information, which helps connect back to home, so it’s important that these are current. Comics and graphic novels are great to include as well.
• Puzzles – Books of word games and searches, crosswords, quizzes, and Sudoku are another way to keep the brain active for long stretches of time. Also be on the lookout for things like Rubik’s Cubes and jigsaws.
• Kindle Reader – A Kindle or similar ebook reader is a fantastic gift for someone who likes to read. You can load the device up with dozens of books without all the extra weight and bulk of physical copies. Comics and newspapers are also available, so it’s possible to bundle an entire library on a lightweight, handheld gadget. However, electronic devices are a grey area, as it is sometimes prohibited to send lithium batteries. Check the current regulations before posting.
• iPad or Tablet – Similarly, a more tablet-type device that can include films, games, and music might be all a soldier needs for hours of amusement. As a treat, you can include photos and personal videos from home. Turn it off completely, pack carefully, and look into insurance options, as these are fragile. Tablets are also vulnerable to temperature extremes so, where possible, get advice before sending.
• GoPro – A GoPro is pretty much the perfect video camera to include in a deployment package. They’re rugged, easy to carry, and great fun to use.
• Other Electronics – Check first, but there are many other kinds of device that may also be useful. A small MP3 player, loaded with songs, is easier to carry around than a tablet. A portable CD player means you can also send meaningful mixes with handmade covers. DVDs can be shared around or watched together in a group. Handheld games consoles, like the Nintendo Switch can also be shared. Also ask about accessories such as spare headphones, webcams, batteries, USB sticks and memory cards. These are a great way to send family photos and video messages.
• Gift Cards – If you’ve sent any kind of device, you can continue to add value to it by sending gift cards. You can get them for Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and so on. Just be sure to read the terms and conditions before buying, and make sure they’re going to be valid once they arrive.
• International Phone Cards – Communications will vary according to specific circumstances, but international phone cards can often end up being the cheapest and most flexible way to make calls. The Boots On Ground has information for US personnel, but it’s also worth checking with the intended recipient if a phone card is going to work where they are.
• Games – Games have a lot of novelty value, especially when they offer something completely new to learn. Again, the choice here is almost unlimited. Simple items like playing cards, dice, and dominoes are easy to pack. On the other hand, board games like chess and backgammon can be absorbing for hours. Kickabout objects are a fun way to decompress – foam footballs and basketballs, frisbees, hacky sacks, stress balls, fidget spinners, and yo-yos. Pack as much variety as possible.
• Model Kits – Small model kits strike the right balance between focus and relaxation and the range of options is enormous.
• Writing Materials – Sometimes self-expression is the best use of free time, so send notepaper and blank greetings cards, envelopes, pens and pencils, notebooks and journals. Also ask if stamps will be useful.
• Art Equipment – This self-expression might also a take a visual form. Many in the military love to draw. If so, think about sending sketchbooks, coloured pencils, or a small watercolour set.

Other Practical Items To Include In A Deployment Care Package

These suggestions are based on real requests, and are mainly one-off items, aimed at making living conditions more comfortable. But it should be noted that each unit will have different restrictions and needs, so check any of these before sending.

• Inflatable Pillows – As with travel, inflatable pillows are useful for staying comfortable during transit or in unexpected periods of waiting. Consider going one step further with an inflatable chair.
• Disposable Kitchenware – Instead of eating out of packets, paper plates and plastic cutlery can turn an ad hoc snack into more of a meal. Paper cups may be useful too, especially decorated ones during the holidays.
• Extra Bedding – Spare sheets, pillow cases, and blankets may be useful in more humid climates, as well as actual pillows and shower towels.
• Air Freshener – Anything that makes living quarters smell more like home is going to improve spirits. You can send different types of air freshener, as well as nice scented candles and sprays like Febreze.
• Flashlight – Having a reliable torch to hand is pretty much essential for rooting around in the dark.
• Leatherman Tactical Multi-Tool – These handy all-in-one bits of kit have a thousand practical uses. The MUT is designed specifically for military tactical use.

Personal Items To Include In A Deployment Care Package

Though it’s great to receive a parcel of goodies, it’s the personal things that mean the most. This way, your care package becomes a way to express how much the relationship means to you. Be creative, too, and decorate inside the box.

• A Handwritten Letter – Without a doubt, this is going to be the most meaningful thing in your care package. An email just doesn’t have the same personal impact as a handwritten letter. Include lots of news from home and say what you feel, while keeping it upbeat. Little drawings and decorations will also mean a lot. Include messages from others and children’s drawings, if appropriate.
• Scrapbooks – A small scrapbook filled with pictures, messages, and reminders of home will also have a huge impact and let your creativity really go to town.
• Memory Stick – Another huge hit is a USB stick loaded photos and videos from home, especially milestones like baby’s first steps and family celebrations.
• Knick-Knacks – Again, little personal items can mean more than anything: toys, teddy bears, lockets or personalised dog tags they can wear to be closer to you, as well as silly stuff that makes you both laugh and personalised holiday decorations or things like posters and flags to remind them as home.