A Present For a Soldier

[thunderlizard]

or possibly an airman or a marine. Unsure. Anyway, a relative is deploying to Afghanistan soon. Can any of you ex-squaddies, general butch types or army wives suggest a suitable going-away present? I'm told that a selection of the poems of Henry Newbolt isn't the thing any more.

ta,
tl

[SimonMac]

Boots!

Ask them what boots they have, as odds are they wont be good enough and will be spending most of their time in them

[Paddy]

[MarillionFan]

Boots!

Ask them what boots they have, as odds are they wont be good enough and will be spending most of their time in them

Plus, helmet, body armour, uniform and a gun. I understand after cutbacks you now have to fund your own.

[Old Greg]

A silver cigarette case to deflect a bullet.

[PRC1964]

I've never been in that situation, but I imagine that the kind of things I'd hope for would include:

• A promise of a letter a week/month
• A promise of a night out on their return
• A promise to look after their loved ones while they're away

[NotAllThere]

The collected works of Siegfried Sasson and Wilfred Owen. And good, thick, bulletproof pocket bible* (if you can't get the cigarette case).



* Or a Koran.

[centurian]

Ammo, ammo and more ammo.

An officer friend of mine said that is the only priority when on deployment.

From personal experience (Modern Warfare, Medal of Honor etc.), I can say it is quite frustrating when the ammo counter drops so low that you are forced to swap a nice shiny heavy machine gun for a crappy AK47 lying beside the dozens of enemy soldiers you have slain.

[Paddy]

Ammo, ammo and more ammo.

An officer friend of mine said that is the only priority when on deployment.

From personal experience (Modern Warfare, Medal of Honor etc.), I can say it is quite frustrating when the ammo counter drops so low that you are forced to swap a nice shiny heavy machine gun for a crappy AK47 lying beside the dozens of enemy soldiers you have slain.

Have you thought about getting therapy?

[EternalOptimist]

A couple of pairs of tights
hip flask
A laminated card in Urdu Dari and Pashta 'I surrender. I am a good Muslim, take me to your mullah, I have valuable information about the infidels positions'
A little snuff box with some soil from the back garden
The one true ring (handy for tight situations)