ADOPT A SOLDIER—WHAT TO SEND:
Our soldiers greatly appreciate hearing from supportive Americans like you! Whether it’s a letter of encouragement or a care package of goodies, please know that any effort you make to support our troops is greatly appreciated.
If you would like to send a care package, we have compiled a list of items the soldiers have requested and/or greatly appreciated. Please keep in mind that this list is intended to be a reference for you; you may send items that are not listed (but please remember to visit the “How to Send” page for mailing regulations). We also suggest you include a self-addressed envelope (no stamp is needed) and a note saying “Please let me know when you receive this package.”
Drinks:
Capri Sun
Sweetened Kool-Aid packets
Country Time lemonade
Gatorade
Lipton Tea Mixes
Food:
Beef Jerky
Beef sausage (these are very popular according to Paul and Evan)
Candy of all kinds
Canned meats
Canned cheese
Canned chips
Canned salsa, dips
Canned tuna, chicken
Chocolate anything (they don’t care if it’s melted)
Cookies (all kinds)
Crackers
Dried fruits
Graham Crackers
Hickory Farms stuff (no need for refrigeration)
Nuts
Pretzels
Fun Stuff:
Books (new or used)
Board games
Card games
Comic books
Electronic Games
Magazines (Newsweek, People, Maxum, Cosmo, Sports anything, etc.)
Tabloids newspapers (they are fun to read)
Playing cards
Poker chips
Puzzles
Word Puzzles
Footballs
Nerf Balls
Soccer Balls
Health and Hygiene:
Aspirin
Antacids
Band-Aids
Chapstick
Cough Drops
Dental floss
Disposable razors
Foot powder
Hand sanitizer
Hair brush/comb
Kleenex
Mouthwash
Neosporin
Q-tips
Soap (bar)
Shampoo/conditioner
Thera-Flu
Toilet paper
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Wet wipes
Miscellaneous:
Batteries
Can opener
Boot socks (gray, green, black only w/ thick soles) Wal-Mart has them
Envelopes
Gloves
Gum
Journal
Pens
Plastic utensils
Stationary
Share who and where you are:
Your local newspapers/comics
Photos of you/your family/your city, town or state
Jokes you know
Our soldiers love any news from the outside world
TIPS:
Chocolate chips ship well during the winter months (Nov-Mar),
but they melt easily during the summer months (May-Sept).
The most requested items include: snacks (anything they can grab and go),
candy, chewing gum, powdered drink mix (just add water), and reading material.
WHAT TO SAY:
"...thank you for supporting us in this time away from our families...your kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated in this time of loneliness..."
"...thank you for everything...you really help us through these hard times...it’s good to know people care...take care and God bless you!"
"...thank you so much...just the thought you put into this reminds us that we always have support from our people...I hope we all get home safely, so we can thank you personally."
"...thank you so much for taking the time our of your busy schedule to write and send us things...the items you send bring smiles to all our faces and are very useful when we need a quick snack..."
"...you are the real heroes, supporting us...I don't have the words to express my thanks and appreciation..."
ADOPT A SOLDIER—HOW TO SEND:
Prohibited Items
Although there are specific restrictions for each five-digit Military Post Office ZIP Code (APO/FPO), generally, the following are prohibited in the region of Operation Iraqi Freedom:
· Obscene articles (prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc).
· Any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or non-authorized political materials.
· Any alcohol
· Bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith. Items for the personal use of the addressee are permissible.
· Pork or pork by-products.
· American Flags (we are not the occupiers).
Processing Military Mail
Military mail postage rates are the same as domestic rates. A 41-cent First-Class stamp will deliver a letter to a U.S. military soldier located halfway around the world.
The Postal Service places APO (Air/Army Post Office) and FPO (Fleet Post Office) mail on international commercial passenger service and international cargo service aircraft from various cities. When the plane lands overseas, the mail is tendered to the Military. The mail is then handled by Military Postal Service representatives and transported to the military post office for distribution to the soldier’s unit for delivery to the addressee.
Anticipated Delivery Duration
Mail delivery time varies, but typically military mail letters take between seven and 10 days for delivery depending on country of destination. Packages can take between 10 to 24 days for delivery depending on destination.
Transit times will vary depending on operational conditions and the unit of the addressee. Soldiers in established bases should continue to receive regular service, while those in forward areas or engaged in operations may experience longer arrival times due to logistical constraints.
Proper Way to Address a Letter or Package
To properly address your letter or package, use the soldier’s full name (with or without grade, rank, or rating, or a specific title), include the unit designation, the APO/FPO address with the nine-digit ZIP Code (if one is assigned), and a return address. For packages, mailers are asked to print on one side only with the recipient’s address in the lower right portion. Please note: do not include the country or the base camp’s city, as it might be routed through the host country’s mail system.
If you have questions about addressing your letter or package, please consult your local Post Office.
Package Size Restrictions
At times, military units may have additional restrictions imposed by the unit commanders, such as those on size and weight, to ensure logistics support can handle the mail along with other necessities. A box cannot be larger than 108 inches when summing the measurement across the longest side and the measurement of its circumference. It cannot weigh more than 70 pounds.
In addition, Military ZIP Code restrictions may change as military units move to different locations. All applicable restrictions for about 3,000 overseas military ZIP Codes are entered into the U.S. Postal Service computer terminals and published in the Postal Bulletin.
Please consult your Post Office for answers to any package/letter size and weight questions.
Letter or Package Inspections
Typically, letters are not opened unless they appear unusually bulky. Letters found to be unusually bulky may be examined to see if they contain contraband such as drugs. Parcel mail is examined on a spot-check basis to determine conformity with the host country’s customs regulations and for terrorist-type mailings.
TIP
For care packages, you will need to fill out a declaration form (at the Post Office). On that form, you have the option to request the packagebe redirected to the soldier’s unit if it cannot be delivered directly to the soldier. We suggest you request this option to avoid having your package returned if undelivered.