Below are some insights into the living conditions of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. As we are preparing to mail out our Thanksgiving and Christmas care packages, one of our newest soldier contacts provided us with some insights into their daily lives and what items would be useful in our care packages.
- We will be in country until July of next year (2013)
- We live in brick and mortar make shift rooms and b-huts (made of ply wood and mortar in ceilings)
- We sleep on cots, but some of us have found mattresses that they have put atop their cots
- We usually all have access to chow hall unless there is a trauma or a person is on shift here at the FST. Our chow hall will, though, be cutting back in the up and coming months due to winter. We may get 1 hot meal and MREs, I've been told
- We have a very small limited troop store that is open 2 hours a day. It usually has Pringles, protein, and that's about it, it is very limited, they only take cash, but finance only comes to our fob once a month and that's the only time you can get cash.
- We have one washer and one dryer that we can use 1 sometimes 2 times a week between the whole team. We do have a laundry turn in for the FOB that has a 3-4 day turn around, I think
- Yes ma'am there are three women (among care package recipients)
- We do have that ability here (to play DVD's and CD's)
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Some of the items our volunteers at Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas are trying to gather for winter care packages include blankets, throws, black knit beanie hats, hand/foot warmer packs and flannel pajama bottoms. Meal items to substitute for MREs are also often requested by soldiers ... ramen noodles, microwavable macaroni & cheese, fruit/granola/snack bars, foiled tuna packs, shelf stable microwavable meals.
A full list of items requested can be seen on our "What is Requested" page. Food categories include coffee, tea, nuts, chips, dried fruit, powdered drink mixes, candy, cookies, crackers, peanut butter.
Nonfood items include plain white or black socks, sheets, pillow cases, flip flops (for showering), towels, blankets, gloves, foot powder, deodorant, air fresheners, lip balm, body wash, lotions, soft packs of wipes, batteries, athletic balls, playing cards, eye drops, mini flashlights, video games, stationery, shampoo, feminine products, and pain-relief products for sore muscles.
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