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I know this may be OT, but I believe some of you guys can help me.

I am a member of a couple of veteran service organizations. The local reserve unit is getting ready to deploy to Iraq later this year. This will be their 2nd go around. We asked the guys for a wish list, and the item frequently listed as #1 was phone cards. Second was cold weather gear. I know a number of guys that post here have come back from recent tours there. What I would like to ask is:

What phone card gives the best bang for the bucks? I don't want to send $50 cards that only give them 10 minutes.

What under garments are approved, in light of the problem with IED's and flash burns?

Thanks for any help,

Tanklord

If you have access or knows someone who does, AAFES (the PX) has good phone card deals that are especially designed for deployed troops. I even believe they have a way to donate phone cards to deployed or deploying troops.

Because of fire, the standard sand colored T-shirt we wear is not authorized for use in combat vehicles. The Army developed a cotton T-shirt that is sage green. Most tankers are wearing the non-melting T-shirts.

Ditto on phone cards. There are a certain amount of phone lines available for morale calls, but not everyone can get to one of those lines. Phone cards are a heckuva business for someone. I don't how you could even chose a supplier whose minutes are a good deal. The exchange is a good start.

The USO sends toiletry kits, writing sets and things. Maybe they have a copy of their packing list on line.

The Canadians will take heart that the Royal Canadian Legion and other organizations out did themselves with the Christmas and mid-tour packages. I really liked the beef jerky and foot calous cream, but am continually amazed that they send large jars of jam and marmalade as if we were living off the care packages. Tea bags, water bottle flavour packages, a new toothbrush, once-read magazines, etc will be appreciated. The Canadians in my 4-Eyes unit had so much loot, we were giving it away to visitors, friends, the Australians, etc.

Clothing is hit or miss, sizes, styles, acceptibility, flame retardance, etc. Maybe you want to contact a supplier and negotiate a private discount for guys quoting code "AFV News". Brigade Quartermasters is one place of many.

try Nobelcom

no card, just access numbers and pins.

I call Italy and Qatar pretty regularly and these are the best I've found (but I will be watching this post for something better if its out there)

Slow

Hey guys, thanks for the info. It appears AT&T has the phone service contract in the combat zones, so I am going to go with the cards you can purchase thru AAFES. It appears to be one of the few items I can buy from them without a military ID. I also found I can buy them in bulk lots.

As for the other items, I will be taking the guys on a shopping spree at the PX on the base they are going to mobilize at. The unit commander has pulled strings and I will accompany them with a wad of cash!

Thanks to all and a special thanks and welcome home to you guys who BTDT!

Hey Tank Lord,

Better hope it's not Camp Shelby or Fort McCoy, because neither have a PX (More like Shopette) worth mentioning (McCoys is a little better) unless they built something in the last year or so.

Joe D

Fort Leonidas Polk!

- Tanklord

Fort Leonidas Polk!

Ft Polk (THE original 'Camp Swampy') has excellent PX Facilities. North Ft Polk has Shoppette, and shoppette on entrance road also have good 'stocks'.

(Spent 89-91 there, and 1 rotation JRTC in 99. Some changes, for the better, but still "the land that time forgot."...

Ft McCoy had a real 'decent' mini-PX & Shopette last trip there in 2004/2005.

Shelby,....heh heh, um, the mini PX in the training unit cantonement area was well stocked.

AAFES phone cards are real good, but wanna make sure they include international calls if taken overseas.

HTH
Don

I got this note from a friend in Iraq, maybe it will help.....................


"oh, ok. we have this prepaid phone service called SPAWARE, that a lot of people use. i use skype, cause it cheaper."

Skype is OK if you can get internet access. Yes, the modern military has every imagineable system for business purposes, but the internet access for the troops can still be a problem. A telephone is probably the best bet for everyone.

If you and 'a wad of cash' are going to accompany the troops to the PX, can I come along? I need some size 11 Regular Black Jungle Boots and a new Spiderco knife ....