What the Troops Are Buying With Their Own Money [or, what to send a combat soldier you know]

StrategyPage.com ^ | Dec 30, 2003

[John Jorsett]

OK, this is too late for Christmas (unless you're Orthodox), but if you have a friend of family member serving with a combat unit in Iraq, there are a few non-lethal items that have proved highly popular over there and would make a great, maybe lifesaving, gift.

Hand held laser pointers have been popular for troops expecting to get ambushed. The laser pointer makes it easier to show where everyone should shoot. Sounds crude, but it works, and has worked many times. It also proved popular for raids as well.

The army issued GPS receiver (the PLGR) is old and put to shame by newer GPS equipment. The 82nd Airborne division went out and bought Rhino GPS units for all the troops. This unit was lighter, smaller, got more time out of the batteries, and picked up the GPS signals faster than PLGR. Many troops had already bought the Rhino (spending about $200 to do so), and similar models. But many troops are stuck with the PLGR and would appreciate something better.

Better desert boots are popular. The ones issued do not stand up well to the heat and sand. Some troops have been getting their hands on Iraqi army boots, which are lighter and more sturdy. However, there are outfitters for desert trips that have some boots built for the rigors of stomping around in a desert environment. No clear cut leader in this department yet, though.

Bolt cutters and Battle Axes. Combat troops spend lots of time making raids on Iraqi compounds, homes and industrial sites. Bolt cutters come in handy. Also popular are "battle axes." Actually, these are similar to the ones that firemen use for breaking and entering. But calling it a "battle axe" appeals more to the troops than "fireman's axe."

In many units, the Gerber multi-tool has replaced the bayonet. The multi-tool has been popular with troops for years. About the same size as a bayonet, the multi-tool includes needle nose pliers, a wire cutter, a drop point knife blade, screwdrivers, a can opener, a bottle opener, among other things. The troops love this stuff.

Canteens are considered so 20th century. Today's trooper wants a camel-back hydration system (a bladder of water carried on your backpack, with a tube that allows you to sip water as you need it without having to use your hands to get the canteen out.)

While Christmas is past, some of these items would make a nice Valentine's Day gift. Or just a "come back alive, baby," gift. It's always appreciated.

[tet68]

It is one of those eriee things, a first sargent or sargent major can find out the poop on any of the troopies, just by going down to the senior enlisted club and buying a few beers. Officers have nothing like it.

[TruthNtegrity]

Overseas, the AT&T are preferred. They get to use more of the minutes on them. Sam's has AT&T phone cards at 3.7 centers per minute. It's the best deal for cards that can be used overseas and that are AT&T! (I do not own stock in this company.)

CONUS - any prepaid phonecard will do.

Hope this helps.

[Prodigal Son]

Thanks for straightening me out there buddy.

[Calpernia]

Well, I'm partial to the cards I sell. And I have a nice pile of them left over from sending out my businesses holiday cards. So I am biased. :)

Besides, freebies are freebies.

[TruthNtegrity]

But I've got to admit I've been suprised at how openly the troops appear to be allowed to have even the secular Christmas trappings.

I guess the ACLU haven't yet opened their Kabul and Baghdad offices yet!

Two comments.

1) I've discovered at Walter Reed that soldiers get in touch with their faith and their God in that Sandbox. At Walter Reed, I've never been turned down when I offered to pray for someone.

2) Thank God the ACLU can't "get" to our soldiers or interfere in their celebrations of holidays or their pocket Old Testaments, Bibles, New Testaments, etc.

As an added note, I wonder if some day, some Psychologist is going to conduct a study on the volunteer Military and faith. I would be willing to bet that there is some correlation between patriotism and faith. I can't help but wonder, if there are any agnostics, after they've been in war, do they come home believers?

Donning my flameproof suit and hiding behind the door.

[VOA]

As an added note, I wonder if some day, some Psychologist is going to conduct
a study on the volunteer Military and faith.

A few years ago the "American Enterprise" had an issue with a big article about the
environment at the service Academies. It mentioned at West Point about how
the religional strain is encouraged and pretty evident in the student body.
BUT...some of this might be somewhat self-selecting if some of the plebes
come from "small town America" and "flyover country".

I can't help but wonder, if there are any agnostics, after they've been
in war, do they come home believers?

I suspect that a lot of people leave their agnosticism/atheism behind
during the stay in those foxholes.
At the same time, as hellish as war is, I can understand how some people
might come away stunned and with faith shaken.

[TruthNtegrity]

That's a good point. All the graduates of the service academies that I've met, and working around the Navy and in the Pentagon, I've met a lot, are men of strong faith.

My cousin's son is a Midshipman at the US Naval Academy, and while they don't come from flyover country, they come from one of the red states - Maryland, nevertheless the family is centered around their faith, and Andy is doing well at the Academy.

I guess I just never thought about the connection before, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that there IS a strong correlation.

Thanks for responding.

[Calpernia]

God Bless The U.S.A.
by Lee Greenwood
If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

[TruthNtegrity]

Thanks for posting those lyrics.

I remember the first time I heard Lee Greenwood sing it, and while I was serving overseas, it made me long for home. I also remember seeing a film with Neil Diamond where he sings a song "America" and crying because I was suddenly so homesick.

I also had no idea of the impact of Reagan's patriotism and his stirring the fervor of Americans, once again, for their Country.

I do, however, remember reading what I discovered no one else knew when I returned home - that the bullet that hit Pres. Reagan was less than an inch from his heart and that he had "bled out" in the Hospital. That information took years to come out, but I thought everyone knew it. I quickly learned that I had to keep my mouth shut although I'm positive I saw it on a Reuters feed!!

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[Professional Engineer]

I remember the first time I heard Lee Greenwood sing it

The first time I remember hearing it was on 9/11. My throat got very tight for a spell.

[TruthNtegrity]

I hope no one tromps on me for changing the subject but I just noticed your tagline. Reminds me of my Daddy telling me how he patted my Mom's tummy, how they called me to life, using both the names, not knowing whether I was "Caroline" or "James Peter" - and it meant so much to me to know that my parents were both so excited and welcoming for my very unplanned birth, which then was even more unplanned as my Mom developed some problems and I was delivered prematurely by "C" section at only 4 lbs.

Treasure those "bumps" and call to your child.

Gosh, I got all misty-eyed typing that. Darn blurry monitor. Where's that focus button?

[Professional Engineer]

Thanks for sharing that.

I've had the feeling for three months that baby will be a girl. No basis whatsoever, just a feeling. We had our first ultrasound today. Baby is a little girl.

I was astounded at how active she is. OMG. I can't feel 99% of all that motion. It was so cool.

[Calpernia]

>>>I felt my unborn child move this morning (sighs) Makes me want a fourth child. What am I saying!!! **Slaps self**

[Calpernia]

Warning....My third child was Dana Marie until birth. Frank Jr. was a girl on ultra sound :)

[armymarinemom]

Boots and custom packs.

US cav sells several brands of boots. Altima and Danner.US Cav

Tactical Taylor. Reqested by youngest for pouches, camel backs, gloves etc.Tactical Taylor

[TruthNtegrity]

Just so you know, when I clicked on the link "US Cav", I got "this link does not exist on this server."

Another option?

Apparently that thread has disappeared. The great ZOT has appeared.

[LouD]

as far as the battle axe, well, I'll leave that one alone.

If you change your mind, try Cold Steel (www.coldsteel.com) for battle axes and other neat toys.

[armymarinemom]

Naw forgot about the rules. Just do a google for it.

[VOA]

I don't know if this is the exact location previously posted...try this:

http://www.uscav.com/categories/usc_footwear.asp