From what I gather, everyone, regardless of MOS (military occupational specialty) is a grunt overthere. It does get cold during the winter there, too. Don't be fooled by high summer temps. If it me or my son, I'd find out about body armour before hand. Googles and a Shemagh (head scarf) are a must.
Dave

Dave T, sent you a PM.

X-ray Dave

Awesome socks would be thorlos, fox river, smart wool.
Anti-diarrea pills would be good.
Look at wal-mart for one of those spice shakers that have like 6 types of spices in it. I loved mine.
Canned meats to give him a change from the normal food.
I don't know if I would go with salt to compensate for the salt loss. I have heard both good and bad things about using it. I never used it when i was there and there was some times where I only had 1.5 liters of water for a day (and there was times I went 2 days with 1.5 liters of water). Check into stuff called gluconade I think thats the way it is spelled. REI carries it and maybe someone here has used it.
Some bungee cords would be good and tell him to keep his poncho somewhere close to rig up a field expident hooch. Helps to get out of the sun some.
Water purification tablets as a means of backup.

Things are getting better over there as far as living conditions. If you weren't getting shot at life would be livable (hate to be there but livable). My experiences over in Iraq are not the same as my buddy who just got back and his will not be the same as the next group to go over.

This article from MarineLink has some good pointers.

This thread from the awesome Lightfighter has some excellent tips. (You'll need to register to read it.)

THAT'S the one from LF I was looking for ! Thanks for finding and posting.
Dave

Coming from someone who will soon be making the same journey, I would suggest you wait until you see what he is issued. I was very surpised to see waht the Marines going over there are issued. I am not sure how it works in the Army.


I would agree on/suggest a few things:
Phone card
Reading material
MP3 player
Pancho liner
awesome socks
extra razors, and other hygene gear. If he is on a base, it will be easier to get these things, but if he goes out, he will need extra.
Pictures from home
A good knife
A good multi-tool.

I wouldnt even consider body armor from a private vendor. He will be issued that by his command. Everyone is getting it now. Plus the stuff you buy may or may not fit with his gear.

Winter is still cold over there, especially at night, so a good pair of gloves will make him money over there, as military gloves are still pretty bad.

All the other suggestions are right on the money! Let him know that I said good luck and my prayers go with him.

garrett

Don't know how i forgot the tunes! Next to my woobie they were a god send. Also a neck gaitor would be good. I was issued a cotton neck gaiter (I used it to clean my weapon) but a polypro or nice soft fleece one would be nice.
I agree to wait and see what he has when he crosses the pond. Some stuff he will be issued i know some units are getting WilleyX's, Oakleys, Fleece Watch caps (which if he is not issued one send him one worth my weight in gold). Being in the MOS he is he may not get optics for his weapon, or night vision to carry all the time. But when he will need it he should have it (ie. guard duty, patrol, convoy escort). A pair of $20 bino's or a monocular comes in handy when on guard or just looking around. I would not buy body armorer. For several reasons cost, likely to get "lost" in transit, and he should get it. I know when I left over there and my guys left we also left behind 135 sets of interceptor body armor. Send him a disposable camera when you send him a package so he can get some pics.

Re: care pkgs. I guy who was in Desert Storm said everyone sent them candy, but what they would have killed for was beef jerky.

Sue

Gookinaid Hydralyte (formerly E.R.G.)

1 quart packets or 5 gallon cans - four flavors - good stuff.

www.gookinaid.com

www.rei.com

I think Lightfighter is THE place to look.

Add:

a Magellan GPS

GOOD gloves

Zip (wire) ties

Socks - Smartwool - I've personally found these to way outperform Thorlo's

Foam ear plugs to make sleeping easier...

Goldbond or baby powder

GOOD boots - Danner, Wellco, etc TRY THEM ON. I've had the same model and size fit slightly differently.

Sewing kit - make a good one yourself - an altoids size filled with "Craft and Button thread" and nylon upholstery thread can really help.