What to Send in a Care Package for Military?
Sending a care package to a military service member is a thoughtful way to show your support and appreciation for their sacrifice and service. Care packages can be a morale boost, providing a taste of home and comfort in challenging environments. However, it’s essential to consider what to send and how to avoid common mistakes.
Common Items to Send
*h2>Food Items
- Non-Perishable Snacks: Send items like crackers, cookies, granola bars, and energy-rich snacks like MRE (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) or Military-style meals.
- Coffee and Tea: Most military personnel appreciate a good cup of coffee or tea. Send packets or pouches of instant coffee or tea, or even individual servings of coffee or hot chocolate.
- Powdered Drink Mixes: Send packets of powder drink mixes, such as lemonade or fruit-flavored drinks.
*h2>Personal Care Items
- Toiletries: Send travel-sized toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap.
- Razor and Shaving Cream: Send replacement razors and shaving cream for a refreshing shave on deployment.
- Perfume and Cologne: Send small bottles of perfume or cologne to uplift their mood and morale.
- Insect Repellent: Send DEET-based insect repellent for protection against mosquitoes and ticks.
*h2>Comfort Items
- Books and Magazines: Send paperbacks, manga, or popular magazines like National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, or Maxim.
- Games and Puzzles: Send travel-friendly games like playing cards, chess, or puzzles for mental stimulation.
- Personal Photos: Send laminated photos of loved ones, pets, or fun memories to bring a smile to their faces.
- Care Package Notes: Write heartfelt letters or sticky notes with messages of love, support, and gratitude.
*h2>Other Essentials
- Sleeping Bag Liners: Send lightweight, washable sleeping bag liners to keep them clean and fresh.
- Socks and Undergarments: Send new, high-quality socks and undergarments to replace worn-out clothing.
- First-Aid Kit: Send compact first-aid kits containing essentials like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers.
- Phone Accessory Kit: Send portable phone chargers, power banks, or phone accessory kits for connectivity and functionality.
Avoid Common Mistakes
- Prohibited Items: Avoid sending items prohibited by the US military, such as illegal substances, pornography, or items with sharp objects (e.g., knives or scissors).
- Firearms and Explosives: Never send firearms, explosive materials, or ammunition. These are strictly prohibited in care packages.
- Perishable Items: Avoid sending perishable food items like fresh fruits or vegetables, as they will spoil during transport.
- Unapproved Substances: Avoid sending unapproved substances like herbal supplements, vitamins, or medications.
Additional Tips
- Check with the MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation): Check with the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation department of the US military for specific guidelines and restrictions on care package contents.
- Use Small, Portable Containers: Choose small, portable containers like ziplock bags or toiletry bags to make care packages easy to transport.
- Consider the Length of Deployment: Tailor care packages to the length of deployment, sending less perishable items for extended deployments.
- Track and Insure Packages: Use trackable shipping and insure packages against loss or damage.
Table of Recommended Items
| Item | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Non-perishable snacks | 10-20 | Focus on energy-rich snacks and MREs |
| Coffee and tea | 5-10 | Choose instant or individual servings for convenience |
| Powdered drink mixes | 10-20 | Lemonade or fruit-flavored drink mixes are popular |
| Toiletries | Travel-sized | Toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap |
| Insect repellent | 1-2 | Choose DEET-based repellents for effective protection |
| Personal photos | 1-5 | Laminated photos bring a sense of comfort and connection |
By following these guidelines, you can create a well-rounded care package that meets the needs of military personnel and brings a smile to their faces. Remember to check with the MWR department for specific guidelines and restrictions, and consider tracking and insuring your care package for peace of mind.
