A young friend of mine is probably going to sandland. He hasn't been in the Army long and it's his first overseas deployment. I'd like to get him a useful gift but have NO idea what he would need. Any ideas will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I liked having a really nice multi-tool when I was in the field in Germany; I never did the ME. Leatherman, Gerber, etc., in stainless steel with a decent pair of pliers on it.

Fighting knives are cool, but a multi-tool is actually useful daily.

Good G’Shock watch. It is something useful and least likely to be stolen.

A good pair of wrap around sunglasses.

All good suggestions

Maybe a small MP3 player that runs on a AAA battery. Cheap entertainment and not terrible if it breaks.

Do you know what his MOS is?
That would be helpful in deciding on a gift.

When I went to AFG, I mainly drove a Maxx Pro MRAP with a Mine Roller, so I am basing my ideas off of that.

The most useful things that I had were a multi-tool, along with a good folding knife to hook on to my IBA/plate carrier. It will be put to good use for cutting open care packages, MRE's and also if need be, to cut the ratchet straps holding down ammo near the turret.

Also I had two small flashlights that I used more than anything. I eventually found one with a green light that was perfect doing the PMCS of the interior of the MRAP. I carried a Streamlight ProTac 2AA, and also a Streamlight 1L-1AA.

I second what Oz_Shadow recommended. This will be helpful on the long long flight over and back, and also give him something to listen to when he visits the gym.

If he is taking over some type of computer, a small external hard drive is perfect to pre-load a ton of movies on to watch throughout the deployment. I think I was the only one out of the 12 of us that didn't have one ( I had my kindle though)

He's intelligence in an Airborne unit. Thats all I really know.

Multi tool, flashlight, head lamp, G shock...all things I have bought while deployed at one time or another.

The one thing i wish I had taken with me was a nice travel coffee mug, (especially if he is a coffee drinker), and or if he is going to be in the TOC.

Just a suggestion, recommend him getting a bore snake to take with him. We had cleaning kits in the team room, but they didn't have any bore snakes so I emailed my girlfriend to send a few over. They were a big hit. There were 12 of us in the PSD detachment, and almost all of us were gun enthusiasts but not one of us thought about bringing some with us.

Is Maine really that bad? Maybe PHPaul can help out?

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:
I liked having a really nice multi-tool when I was in the field in Germany; I never did the ME. Leatherman, Gerber, etc., in stainless steel with a decent pair of pliers on it.

Fighting knives are cool, but a multi-tool is actually useful daily.

Depending on what the OP's friend is doing an AR-15 focused multi-tool (e.g. Leatherman MUT AR Maintenance Tool) may be cool twist.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Is Maine really that bad? Maybe PHPaul can help out?

I have to confess that I had the same thought. However, the suggestions others have made all seem to be appropriate for the sandbox.

flashguy

Multitool. My son said that was the best thing I gave him. He used it almost daily over there.

For a squirrel in the sandbox, I'd look at getting them an LED headlamp, the PETZL tAC Tikka has a built in red lens and has a good track record. A head lamp lets you do everything from looking at maps to working on trucks or computers. It's also good for reading while you are on a porta pooper. We used to get gerber multitools as part of predeployment RFI, I don't know if they still do. The streamlight flashlights mentioned above are a good investment as well. The ME lacks street lights. It's also good for making sure that nothing nested in your boot.

A spyderco or similar folder is a good gift as well. Great for opening MREs.

We got Gerber multitools, too. Flashlights were never issued, but an LED headlamp is awesome when you can wear one. A handheld flashlight would be great for all the other times.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Is Maine really that bad? Maybe PHPaul can help out?

I have to confess that I had the same thought.

Heh. That was my first thought when I read the title too.

I mean, Maine has a few spots with a bit of sand, but I'd hardly call it "sandland"...

12 month subscription to xbox Live Gold.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I got him a Leatherman Surge and a Streamlight.

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Ask for his mailing address to resupply him with items he may need. Coffee, treats, and depending on his branch of service: coloring books

tell him not to be shy about letting you know what he or his Team might need. I've pitched in a few times for care package requests posted here and other places.

If you do post an online care package request, I suggest you have all the items sent to you vs. sharing his name and address publicly ~ but you probably knew that
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