Got a friend going to Iraq in January.  He's in the Marines.  He graduated boot in December of last year and has been in Hawaii the last few months.  I don't remember his exact MOS, but it is something to do with missle and rocket type weapons.  In other words, he's not gonna be in the rear with the gear, but he isn't exactly on the front line kicking in doors.  He's been told he'll only be issued his pistol (Beretta 9mm).

His father and I want to get him any gear he might need before he deploys.  Problem is he (and we) don't really know what he'll need/want that he isn't issued.  

I figure if he's going to only be toting the 9mm pistol, he needs some good magazines.  I seem to recall issued mags sucked.  Is this true?

Other things we're considering are:

Camelbak (any recommendations on which model?)
QuickClot
Good socks
Maybe some boots if the issued ones aren't that great
Underarmour (sp?) t-shirts (These will help keep him cool, right?)

What about some googles, gloves, sunglasses, head scarves, etc.?  

Any recommendations and suggestions are very much appreciated.

Thanks much.

You sure that user name is correct?  A 3-month search found no topics for him.

Somethings he WILL need are:

1. A satellite phone if he has close family / friends. Helps a lot during holidays and sat phone minutes are tolerable.

2. Undergarments like light weight shirts ,polypro / synthetics to wick away body sweat because he will live in his body armor. Swim shorts to replace boxers. Easier to wash while in any makeshift shower. Laundry service will not exsist. On that note send him some fels napha bars for oily/ greasy stain removal. DCU's were hard for my unit to come by. We wore ours out pretty fast.

3. Good heavy duty leather gloves and light weight nylon gloves like Hatch with suede palms. Temps get so hot during the summer you literaly cannot hold your weapon comfortably while standing in the sun. And shade will be scarce. Flight gloves are too heavy during hot weather. Something that breathes / cools off better is more usefull.

4. A good flash light like a Surefire. Lots of 6P's issued, some have Z2's and M2's. AAFES will have bulbs and batteries there.

5. Have him get a good digital camera. A good name brand with at least a 256mb card. My personal favorite is a Nikon but it boils down to "Ford" Vs "Chevy" arguement in all reality.

6. A Lap Top computer is sweet. Not critical but makes life a bit easier. He will have lots of access to DVD's for those long drawn out days with nothing to do between the panic that will rise with too much regularity.

7. GOOD sunglasses. He will find tons of crap there. My RayBan's lasted me thru some of the absolute worse conditions for over a year. Came back here and they died state side. But its the quality of the UV blocking thats critcal. Plastic lens scratch. Glass does to a lot lesse extent. He will probably be issued Wiley-X like all of us did. They are good, but not great. Many limitations.

8. GOOD dust goggles. Issue are alright, but commercial ones work better providing they breathe the correct amount. Dust will a a daily common foe.

9. Extra covers. You know. Uniform ball caps. Common sizes are hard to find when you need one. Like right after you lose it? And name tapes along with rank and branch. Crap over there was hand made by the Haji's and the shit you got from Ranger Joes did not match color. Boonies are more common there. Easier to find.

10. Extra boots would be a great addition but room may be his limitation. You get issued 2 sets. They can die pretty fast. The US Marine boots are pretty good. The Army boots can last longer because of stitching and are cooler in the heat , but can suffer greater wearout due to softer soles. Have him find the Army boots WITH nylon akle reinforcements. The leather sided ones get more brittle and fall apart faster.

11. Mag springs for his issue mag's. Maybe followers too.  

Theres tons more of other gear that would be nice. Poggy snacks not availble there make life more bearable. But thats all what a person prefers. When he's been there 6 months or so some 151 mouth wash will hit the spot. But alcohol is forbidden to soldiers over there. Work with it. Porn is great trading stock. CD's work best. Not magazines. But you never heard it from me. Wish him luck. Send lots of mail. May his journey be safe. He will be very different when he returns. Thats reality.

JohnM at Home

Thanks much, guys.  I appreciate all the great info!

JohnM, thanks much for your service.


warlord, I'll tell him and his family.  They'll appreciate the prayers and well wishes.

they issued us a few camelbaks before we left and one at RFI in Kuwait.  Get him some real cleaniing patches, fox river or wigwam boot socks and some gold bond.  i got 7 pairs of boots issued during the whole process as well so I think he will get the same amount or near it.
The wiley xs fog like crazy.  A good pair of Oakley M frames, polarized with spare lenses (they will get scratched by sand)  THey dont fog and are ballistically rated equal or better than the wileys