Equipping a Marine

I belong to a small organization that has about $1500 in its coffers. One of our number is a young man who volunteered for the USMC last year and recently got sent to Iraq. As I posted on this forum a few days ago, he got shot at by the bad guys last week but was saved from injury when some of his radio gear deflected the shot.

It made us all think: is there some extra gear--a fancy kevlar vest or a special type of helmet--that would be a cut above standard issue, and that we could buy for him for less than $1500? Would US Cavalry or Brigade Quartermaster be a good source? What would be best? Or do the Marines already outfit him as perfectly as human technology can devise? With summer coming would a water pack or someting else be better? We are ladies and have NO idea about these matters, so we are happy to entertain all suggestions. We are most anxious to preserve this young man in life and health not only because he is personally dear to us, but because he is the only surviving child of his parents, who recently lost a child to an accident.

For those of you who are experienced warriors, your advice would be particularly appreciated.

We're also a small group of freepers who do troop-support work, and also on a vey limited budget. We really can't afford big-ticket items, but there's lots of little things that mean a lot to the troops, and many have been mentioned here.

One thing not mentioned that all troops can use is a good pocket knife, with emphasis on good. I stumbled onto a great deal on this little beaut, and it has proved to be well-received by the troops. I personally inspect every knife, and hone it, before sending, because I want to put my best effort into something with the Hobbit Hole's name on it.

Another amazingly handy item are $3 EMT shears. One gets sent with each knife. They're good enough to cut seat belts, webbing, wire, and even thin metal. And at $3, if they're lost or broken, no big deal.

If anybody here is interested in our knives, freepmail me. You can either send me an APO, or I can mail them to you, to send to your troops. This is just one phase of the Hobbit Hole's efforts, which also include the tradtional goodies, socks, flashlights (cheap laser pointers are used as directional signals, and for pointing out stuff in the dark), and lots of love and prayers.

But if pocket knives for the troops interest you, please freepmail me.

socks... good socks... Thorlo's are the best, I swear by them... the Hobbit Hole got a special deal from Thorlo by calling the company and telling them we were sending them to the troops...

powdered graphite, to lube his weapon without gumming it up with grit... it will save a life... most hardware and automotive stores carry it...

a Hobbit Hole knife and shears, courtesy of 300winmag...

phone cards... gator aid... beef jerky... tobacco...

everything else he needs, the Corps will give him...

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