It's a Wrap

Submitted by Rachel Sahagun

I am the wife of a husband who has deployed three times. One of the most commonly requested items in care packages was heat wraps. My husband and his fellow servicemembers used the wraps for every ache and pain - from soreness after PT to aching from the 2-day flights to and from "over there." They tried other brands and types and ThermaCare wound up being the most requested.

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Skivvie Saver

Submitted by Derek Lindridge

As any grunt knows, when you're in the field for awhile you want some clean, dry socks and drawers. Zip-Lock baggies are a real life saver. One sandwich sized baggie holds one pair of underwear and one pair of socks. When packing, simply zip the items into the bag leaving a small opening on one end.  Then either squeeze the excess air out or suck it out before sealing it all the way. This saves space in the ruck for other necessary items and ensures that after walking through chest deep swamps that you still have clean underwear for when you face the enemy (just like mom always wanted).

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Hands-free Headlamp

Submitted by Dana Pearman

I purchased one of these before I went to OIF in 2003, and it was the best $40 I ever spent! This headlamp has a very forgiving, adjustable elastic band (large enough to fit around a helmet), an adjustable LED light source that lasts forever on AAA batteries, and (for a small additional fee) a kit that comes with additional lenses (red, blue, and clear). This thing was great for reading maps, writing letters home, taking notes at the BUB, and just walking around the AO at night. And when you get home, you can use it for camping or other nighttime activities. I wouldn't deploy without it!

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The Sims Sanity

Submitted by Anthony Profit

I had a job in Baghdad during OIF II that didn't require me to leave the slightly safer AO of the FOB. However, that job did require 13 hours of my time every single day and after a while, it became very redundant. My section was comprised of 16 people and after spending a few months with those same people every day in such close quarters, we began to get annoyed with each other. Enter, The Sims 2. I was already a fan of the original Sims games for the PC, but when The Sims 2 came out in September of 2005, I had to have it. For those of you not familiar with The Sims, it's a game where you create someone or a family and you basically play God over them. You build them a house, get them a job, and watch them live from day to day. Well, I created all 16 of us in my Sims game and we all watched ourselves interact with each other in the game like it was a movie. I think it really kept us sane (and from killing each other).

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Super Space-saver Saw

Submitted by Greg Riley

Long before the military heard of Desert Storm, troops trained in wooded areas, jungles, and throughout mountainous regions. To make a good bunker, or have good overhead cover, trees were the article of choice. To turn those trees from growing plant to protective cover or heating material, we needed a saw. I carried a folding saw with me through most of my 25 years of service. If you can't carry a chainsaw, pack one of these.

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