How to Prepare A Care Package For A Soldier In Iraq

Sending a care package to a loved one in the US Army or any other branch serving in Iraq is a little different than sending a care package to other places in the world. Preparing the care package for the soldier in Iraq is what makes it different from other places. Some items are not allowed to be sent and other items that will not survive the weather. All packages are inspected in Kuwait before going to Iraq. If illegal items are found they will be confiscated.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Do not include any type of magazines, movies, or pictures that have pornography material in the care package. If they are found, they will be confiscated.

2. 
    

   Do not send any drinks containing alcohol in any care packages. Alcohol is illegal in Kuwait. If it is scanned and found it will be confiscated and the soldier could possibly get in trouble.

3. 
    

   Do not send anything that will not withstand intense heat between the months of April-October. The weather in Kuwait can rise to 120-150 degrees where all packages travel through. Chocolate, cookies containing chocolate or any other food item that cannot take intense heat will melt.

4. 
    

   Do not send anything that comes in an aerosol can such as deodorant or shaving cream.

5. Send items such as sour patch kids, hard candies, hard cookies, chips, crackers, beef jerky and other dried meats and hard cheeses that do not require refrigeration.

6. Send novelty items. Soldiers get a kick out of little items that remind them of home. For example a holiday item like a 4th of July sparkle garland with a flag from the dollar store or miniature Christmas tree or a pumpkin notepad. Any holiday item can be chosen for that period.

7. Send personal items they can use such as dental floss, shaving cream in a tube, disposable razors or stick deodorant.

8. Send items to fill in time like a book, or a crossword puzzle book, or word find or soduku puzzles, or a drawing pad. Do not forget to include a pen or drawing pencils.

9. Send pictures of home or recent pictures of loved ones. Include a note from each person close to them. If they are not related, send a recent newspaper even if they are not from your area. If they are not related, send an upbeat note to them and thank them for their service.

10. Ensure the box you pack the stuff in, is sturdy. Keep in mind that the box will go through about a lot of handing before it reaches its destination. When packing the box put the hardest unbreakable items on the outside, bottom and top, or items that will cushion but not break on the edges. Arrange items so the less likely items to break, protect items that can be crushed like chips or cookies.

11. Tape around all seams, edges and on top when sealing the box. All four corners should have tape as well as doubling up on the seams at where the flaps close.

12. Go to the post office fill out the customs slip. List all items and give to the mail person and they will attach the customs slip for you. If you send priority, keep in mind priority only goes as far as New York and cost more. Once it leaves the states there is no priority. If you live in California, it will get the package there faster since it has to get to New York first. In other states estimate the mailing time to New York. Once it leaves New York, they should have the package in 7-10 days.

[phxpinupdolls]

on 11/14/2009 Please send us you loved ones address so we can send them a free care package! http://phoenixpinupdolls.webs.com/

[respectfully]

on 10/12/2009 Great information. They are so worth it to send them the things they need. Very important to be thinking of all our soldiers all the time. 5* recommend

[mlt34]

on 10/3/2009 This is a great and timely article.

[cis4car]

on 9/18/2009 great article....good info..thanks 5* & recommended: )

[bpreardon]

on 8/7/2009 Checked this out since you said you were most proud of it. Great article with good hints. I've received a care package or two that was filled with melted stuff. Drink mixes are always great!