List of care package items (not all inclusive) that the deployed military personnel may need or can use while deployed. Also, some items on list may not be approved by command. Another tidbit is that if you send electronics or expensive items know that they package may not reach its intended person. If your service person is in a remote location, know that some items are hard to carry, sometimes its best to consider what you would take if you were hiking and items that would fit in backpacks, are great to send. Compact and light weight.
Do you have items that you have sent that have been a hit? Please leave a comment with that information.
Personal Care Items
- Baby Wipes (unscented)
- Razors
- Foot Powder (unscented)
- Chapstick
- Deodorant
- Feminine Hygiene (tampons are good to carry in case of gun shot wound and of course our women in service)
- Tooth Brushes (the disposable ones with toothpaste already in them are great)
- Mouthwash
- Mints
- Suntan lotion (unscented)
- Aromatherapy Oils
- Hand Lotion
- Deodorant
- Body Powder
- Toothpaste
- Face Moisturizer
- Loofah
- Makeup
- Blush
- Powder
- Mascara
- Body Wash
- Soap
- Eye Drops
- Q-tips
Food Items
- Peanut Butter
- Condiments such as hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, honey, wasabi, horseradish, jelly, taco sauce packets.
- Spices, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, seasoned salt, anything your serviceman likes.
- Nuts
- Pringles
- Crackers, cookies, protien bars, granola bars, cereal bars, (individual packages easy to carry)
- Cookies
- Beef Jerky
- Beef Stick
- Canned meats except pork or pork by products, the vacum packed are good to carry.
- Protein powder
- Mac and Cheese
- Pancake mix
- Items that you can mix with water
- cup of soups
- cans of soups (poptop cans)
- Dried fruits
- Canned fruits
- Powdered Drinks, especially Gatorade
- Hard Candy
- Applesauce
- Pudding
- PopTarts
- Dinty Moore Soups
- Lunchables (non-refrigerated)
- Jelly Beans
- Altoids
- Rice Krispie Treats
- Snack Mixes
- Sunflower Seeds
- Chewing Gum
- Snack Cakes
- Tea
- Coffee
- Jaw Breakers
- Cookies
- Canned Foods
- Squeeze Butter
- Licorice
- Popcorn
- Ramen Noodles
- Microwave Pasta
- Hot Cocoa mix
- Soup Mix
- M&Ms
Other Items
- Fly Paper (some areas where the soldiers live have lots of flies)
- AA Batteries
- D Batteries
- mouse and rat traps
- A multi-tool or really good folding knife
- Sun Glasses, googles that are good for the sand storms.
- Digital or Disposable Cameras
- Dice
- Newspapers
- Handheld Electronic Games
- Board Games
- Books
- Taped Television Shows on DVD
- Game Cartridges
- Foam Footballs
- Silly String
- Frisbee
- Hacky Sack
- Dominoes
- Green or black colored duck tape
- Safety Pins
- Thumb tacks
- Phone Cards (sometimes do not have phone available)
- Magazines, books, crossword puzzles, word searches,soduku (make sure they are not offensive and appropriate for the country they are deployed in)
- Books
- Movies (DVD) great place to go is the thrift store.
- Hand Warmers
- Foot Warmers
- Travel Size Packets of Laundry Detergent
- Socks (make sure regulation color, ask your serviceman)
- Underwear
- Comic Books
- Manicure Kit
- Eyeglass Cleaner
- Toilet Paper
- Deck of Cards
- SD cards for cameras
- Pens, paper, and envelopes
