How do you cheer up a soldier abroad?

[Shryke]

walshie, you make a life in the service sound like such an appealing career move

[Sand]

It's 90% being told to hurry up and wait, 5% trying to find a decent latrine, 3% pr0n or talking about pr0n, and 2% pants-wetting terror. Then you get hit by indirect fire. I have this verified by several relatives, and two ex-girlfriends.

 

Right on the money.

[Walsingham]

walshie, you make a life in the service sound like such an appealing career move

 

Don't forget that as a cricketer, 90% waiting around is perfectly fun.

 

Seriously though, joining the Army for giggles is never going to work out well... Now, joining it to do a job, well fair enough.

[walkerguy]

Video games are fun but real war is a pain in the arce. I'm not alt.

[Sand]

Never join the military on a coin toss.

[Shryke]

walshie, you make a life in the service sound like such an appealing career move

 

Don't forget that as a cricketer, 90% waiting around is perfectly fun.

you know, i've never understood how people can go watch a test cricket game

i mean, if you're playing, there might be the rare chance someone would hit the ball in your direction

but if you're spectating, you're just.... watching guys stand around for hours on end...

 

and i suppose if i was trying to cheer up a buddy fighting overseas, i'd send them some photos or something

though i do think sending over the local newspaper is a good idea too

[Walsingham]

Given that hitting a six means hitting a ball over the boundary there's every chance of a ball heading in your direction as a spectator. In any event, watching cricket is an event, rather than a sports watching thing. Or should be. One goes to sit in a deckchair, drink pimms or tea or beer, and chat. It's basically like going fishing, but without any danger of having to exert yourself.

[Nick_i_am]

Dude, you're mental. You think conventional war is nothing but charging around in a FPS? It's 90% being told to hurry up and wait, 5% trying to find a decent latrine, 3% pr0n or talking about pr0n, and 2% pants-wetting terror. Then you get hit by indirect fire. I have this verified by several relatives, and two ex-girlfriends.

 

I too have relitives who have said exactly the same thing.

[Walsingham]

walshie, you make a life in the service

and i suppose if i was trying to cheer up a buddy fighting overseas, i'd send them some photos or something

though i do think sending over the local newspaper is a good idea too

Neat idea on the local paper. Nothing to make them laugh like that, I'd imagine. Also, if you send fod, keep in mind that things break or get soaked. Individually wrapped sweets are quite good, provided they don't melt.

[Shryke]

wouldn't you have to be kinda careful sending food over though?

 

what with customs laws and everything

 

i mean, i know here in nz you can't bring in things like honey and stuff

[walkerguy]

The honey may be tainted.

[AnthonyD]

I will tell you from my own experience...

 

My favorite care packages are the ones that had chocolate chip cookies in them. They keep pretty good.

 

 

Now if this person in deployed out in the field, combat, combat support, whatever, then here is a list of things they would probably REALLY like:

 

Baby wipes

Batteries for portable electronics (Gameboys, whatever)

Powdered supplements for water (healthy ones, not necessarily kool-aid)

If they are in a wet environment, baby powder can be nice too.

toothpaste

deodorant

 

The baby wipes and baby powder sound weird I know, but believe me, it really helps out in the hygiene.

 

You can probably also search on Google and find some good care package ideas too.

 

 

 

One time, my friend in Texas sent me PRESERVED fajitas, which was pretty awesome.

[Walsingham]

Bang on about the talcum powder (/baby powder). Keep your feet and other bits dry, so I'm told. I don't know about the US Army, but we Brits are absolutely packed out with AA batteries. Most modern kit uses them, and you get scads of them.

 

Don't worry about local customs. Stuff gets flown in by special delivery. Just don't bother sending booze. You'll only get teh pooor buggers into trouble. I think. It really depends where they are, and what their CO is like.

[walkerguy]

Do most commanding officers approve of p0rn?

Edited March 20, 2008 by walkerguy

[Nick_i_am]

Patton didn't.

[Walsingham]

Patton didn't.

 

Patton was a falsetto voiced jackass. My grandfather encountered an American officer who emulated Patton with his revolvers, on D-Day. They were receiving 88 fire, and Grandad mildly remarked "What are you all got up like that for? D'you think there's a war on?"