WAYS TO SUPPORT A PLATOON

(Note: you can find a document with all the information you need available for download at the bottom of this page. Print it out, it's easy.)

The level of support provided to the deploying platoon can vary and is completely up to the sponsoring organization. (Look at it this way: anything you send your soldiers is more than they have now... a lot more.) Here you can get some ideas of what to send, as well as learn about restrictions and what kinds of things not to send.

Mail generally takes 3 + weeks to get to the Persian Gulf. Units on the move may not get mail quickly. If you want, your group could try to send something every week or two. Don't expect to hear from your platoon guys and gals until enough time has passed. Keep sending!! You will hear from and get to know your platoon. Ask them what they need.

Write to your soldiers! It costs 41 cents. It means a lot to them. You don't have to say much, it's contact that matters. Include a few self-addressed return post cards with your mailings (they don't need stamps - mail from combat zone is free). Send them some post cards showing the area where you live, maybe some with silly gags or pictures. Cut out and include an article or picture from a paper or magazine.


CARE PACKAGES are the 'meat and potatoes' of the support you send to your platoon. It will make a difference. Use the list below as a starting place, but most of all use your imagination. It is not necessary that you and the members of your group supply all the money for all the things you send. Reach out to your community and the people around you. Many want to help! Just ask them.... you can be a conduit for others who care. Carry copies of the letters and pictures you get from your platoon around and show them to people. You'll be amazed how many want to contribute.

Some suggestions for Care Packages

Food Items

  • Coffee and teas, all kinds
  • Powdered Gatorade mix
  • Powdered hot chocolate
  • Kool-Aid (presweetened)
  • Life-Savers
  • Slim Jim's
  • Fruit Roll-ups
  • Crackers and cheese. Triscuits and Ritz crackers are great.
  • Chips (Pringles have a chance of making it)
  • Candy, of course. (M & M's are great, hard candy-anything that won't melt.No soft chocolate April-November)
  • Snack cakes
  • Gum
  • Rice Krispie Treats
  • Dry cereal. (Small individual boxes are great.)
  • Kraft Mac & Cheese
  • Microwave popcorn
  • Beef jerky - A MOST REQUESTED ITEM
  • Granola bars
  • Power bars
  • Dried fruit
  • Trail mix, dried fruit
  • Chex mix
  • Canned soup
  • Tuna (pouches are cheaper to mail, cans are also fine)
  • Spices (Onion powder, garlic powder, all spice, any)
  • Summer sausage
  • Oatmeal
  • Salsa
  • Lollipops
  • Marshmallows
  • Bubble Gum
  • Chips (crush proof them!)
  • Canned sandwich spread
  • Canned chicken
  • Salad dressing
  • Instant soup
  • Fast food condiments (Hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper packets, relish, Mayo - like you get at fast food restaurants. Save them every time you go)

    Practical Items

  • Baby wipes/body wipes - A MOST REQUESTED ITEM in hot seasons. Often unable to bathe, soldiers use these to clean up!!!!
  • Razors, shaving cream
  • Shampoo, conditioner
  • After shave lotion
  • Soap or body wash
  • Mouth wash
  • Deodorant
  • T-shirts, underwear and socks. often!
  • A big fluffy towel
  • Eye drops, helpful during sand storms
  • Chapstick
  • Lip balm
  • Sun block
  • Skin so soft (Avon, works as insect repellant)
  • Lotion
  • Dental floss
  • Baby powder
  • Foot powder
  • Combs & brushes
  • Cotton balls
  • Liquid hand sanitizer
  • Breath mints
  • Contact lens cleaner
  • Eye drops
  • Nail files
  • Insect repellant
  • Socks
  • Blankets (in cold months)

    For Fun

  • Frisbees
  • Squirt guns
  • Playing cards
  • AA and AAA batteries
  • Any kind of toy
  • Stamps not needed - they get free postage
  • Paper and envelopes with a nice writing pen might inspire a few more letters home.
  • Phone cards (ask if there is a brand they can use!)
  • Paperback books - A MOST REQUESTED ITEM Dig around 2nd hand stores.
  • Magazines - A MOST REQUESTED ITEM (age doesn't matter) Get them free from waiting rooms.... ASK doctors and dentist!
  • Disposable cameras.... ask them to take pictures and send them to you.
  • Puzzles
  • Film (ask)
  • Newspapers (sports sections)
  • Yo Yo's
  • Super Soak squirt guns
  • Go through the kids toys at Wal-Mart... you'll find some fun things to send.
  • Dart boards
  • Small flash lights
  • Hackie sacks
  • Jump ropes
  • Electronic hand held games
  • Post cards from your home state
  • Hand made items
  • Bandanas
  • Portable CD players
  • Battery powered fans
  • Jokes and comics
  • Balloons
  • Baseball caps
  • Birthday decorations
  • Blankets (in cold months)
  • Banners
  • Board games (ransack your closets - they don't have to be new. You're not using them.)
  • Go to second hand stores or pawn shops and get movie DVDs. Most units have a portable player.
  • If there is a holiday 6-weeks away, make up one box with just holiday goodies.... Be creative!
  • With a CD burner, make mixes of favorite songs.
  • Always write letters, but addition you might record letters onto a tape.
  • Send a few toys. Slinky, chalk, squirt guns...anything silly.
  • Make a scrapbook. Send photos of you and your group, kids and pets.
  • Foam footballs and basketballs

    If you have female soldiers in your platoon

  • Nail polish
  • Nail clippers
  • Q-tips
  • Mirror
  • Body sprays
  • Candles
  • Hair spray (non-aerosol)
  • Hair gel
  • Perfume
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Hair bands
  • Hair clips

    Most of all, have fun with your packages!

  • Involve kids any way you can. Recruit scout troops, grade school classes or Sunday School groups in drawing and writing short notes.
  • Use any excuse for a THEME pacage. Any holiday imaginable... post a suggestion list for your group 2 months ahead.
  • Make a movie night box, gag-gift box.... Invent a theme, cook something up!

    Pack boxes for the worst handling possible

  • Never send glass containers.
  • No pressurized items (no sprays or shaving cream in pressurized cans)
  • Nothing that will melt (soft milk chocolate, etc.)
  • Put anything that might spill or come open in zip-lock bags. They will be re-used.
  • Use real popcorn as packing material (it will probably get eaten even if stale)
  • Pack some things in tins you have around the house - soldiers can use them for storage.
  • Pack all boxes as if they must pass "the gorilla stomp test". Expect them to be abused.

    Mailing Restrictions

    Strict military mail restrictions prohibit the mailing of any of these items to the Persian Gulf:

    DO NOT SEND:

  • Pork
  • Liquor
  • Pornographic material
  • Religious items offensive to the Islamic faith

    Mailing Information

    Normal postage must be paid just as if you were mailing regular packages within the U.S. You may mail by Parcel Post or Priority Mail. Generally, Parcel Post will save a few bucks and get there pretty much as quickly. You are only paying postage to get your mail to the Military Mail system. It is taken to the Persian Gulf from there without extra cost.

    You must use one Postal Service WHITE Customs Form (PS Form 2976A) for each package
    Save time by picking up a supply of them from the Post Office and prepare them before taking your packages to mail.
    If you forget the WHITE Customs Form, your package will be returned to you.

    HERE ARE DOWNLOADS - CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO GET A COPY OF EVERYTHING YOU'LL NEED

    A complete description of how to get your group started - just click this link then print it out.

    Platoon Sponsor's Guide and Suggested Items for Care Packages (Microsoft Word)

    If you don't have Microsoft Word installed, you can print the item out using Adobe Acrobat (it's a free download if you don't have it installed):

    Suggested Items List with Adobe Acrobat, click here

    To download free Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here

    Can't print out these pages? We'll send you a copy by email or even letter mail, no problem. Click here to request a copy.


    If you would like to promote PlatoonAdoptions.com to other groups near you, just print out copies of these items and drop them off with a prospective group.

    Help spread the word.



    YOUR GROUP CAN ADOPT!
    don't forget them.