What is the best (quickest) way to send a package to a US soldier in Iraq?
355240
Certain conditions and restrictions apply when mailing items to military and civilian personnel deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Middle East and Persian Gulf areas.\n\nPrograms that allowed the general public to send mail addressed to "Any Service Member" were cancelled more than a year ago by the Department of Defense's (DoD). While popular with the public during Desert Storm and other operations, DoD's concern with security and transportation constraints led to canceling this program. The DoD recommends that individuals and organizations wishing to mail letters and care packages to individual servicemembers overseas refocus their activities into supporting the servicemember's family members at home.\n\nThe DoD recommends visiting www.defendamerica.mil and clicking the "Support Our Troops" icon as a means for the public to find out ways to support servicemembers.\n\nAddressing Tips\n\nThe DoD has requested that those who send mail use the servicemember's full name (with or without rank or rating), unit and APO/FPO (Air/Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office) 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.\n\nProhibitions\n\nWhile there are specific restrictions for each five-digit military post office ZIP Code (APO/FPO), generally speaking, it is prohibited to mail the following to this region: \n\n• obscene articles (prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc.); \n• pork or pork by-products; \n• any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or nonauthorized political materials. Although religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith are prohibited in bulk quantities, items for the personal use of the addressee are permissible. \n\nRestrictions are updated every other Thursday in the Postal Bulletin. Customers may also obtain this information by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS, or by visiting their local post office.\n\nAll military units are assigned an APO or FPO ZIP Code and in many cases that ZIP Code travels with the unit. The Postal Service places APO/FPO mail on special charter flights, commercial airlines, and military service aircraft at military and U.S. airports. When planes arrive overseas, the mail is tendered to the military and transported via local military transportation to delivery points.\n\nAccording to the Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA), depending on where the servicemember is located, letters and Priority Mail parcels to Kuwait normally take 10 to 15 days. Parcel Post packages take longer since they don't travel by aircraft within the U.S. prior to overseas dispatch. There may be size restrictions and customs declaration form requirements to some locations as mail going through the MPSA can be subject to the host country customs requirements. The time to deliver varies depending on the category of mail and the country of destination. Delivery may also take longer when armed forces are on the move during periods of heightened activity. \n\nPackaging Tips\n\nIt's a good idea to keep the following in mind to ensure that packages are delivered promptly.\n\n• Extreme Temperatures: Desert temperatures typically exceed 100 degrees.  \n• The Box: Select a box strong enough to protect the contents and large enough to accommodate cushioning. If reusing a box, cover all previous labels and markings with a heavy black marker or adhesive labels. \n• Cushioning: Cushioning the contents with newspaper is a novel way to send news from home. Styrofoam and bubble wrap are also good choices. Close and shake the box. If it rattles, add additional cushioning to keep items from shifting. \n• Batteries: Occasionally a battery powered item such as a radio or electric razor will turn itself on during shipment. Be sure to remove and wrap the batteries separately. \n• Sealing:
904331
Use USPS priority mail, that's what I use, but don't forget to pack it well cuz the mail people don't give a damn about packages..☺
505063
Here's some things they tell us in Soldiers Angels (find via Yahoo!).\n\nSend some non-perishable items like canned fruit or ravioli or noodle cups (its best if the cans have pull-off lids, and they often do have access to a microwave). Also, some sweet items that won't go bad either (it can take over a week to get there).\n\nIf you are going to send hygiene items like soap or deodorant (he has access to these, but he has to PAY for them they are NOT issued by the military), make certain they are in a separate carton because the soap smell will get into the food and it will taste bad.\n\nThis is a wonderful idea, and it would really help him if after this maybe you send him regular packages. There are a lot of regular items he does not have access to on a regular basis. When I send things to the soldier I adopted, I try to send little things he can share with his friends also.\n\nTry to remember that he might not always have time to write to you as often as he would like. This is not him being unkind.
824179
Good idea.  But, why not go further?  Go to anysoldier.com and send a care package or even a letter to someone stuck thousands of miles from home.
891174
We adopted three soldiers thru operationAC.com. 2 were MPs and one was a fireman. We were happy to send them care packages, but it was weird to never hear if the packages arrived.\n\nA more useful thing to do is to send a package of goodies [nothing that will be affected by heat - jerky is good, chocolate is bad] to Operation AC and ask them to send it to a unit. We did that and got a note from the unit commanding officer, so we know the packages arrived.
470802
do it via western union; it's safe, cheap & quick
761967
The United States armed forces cannot recieve cards to "any serviceman" this year due to fears of terrorism.  Instead, the Pentagon has set up a secure email system that allows anyone to send a message to "any serviceman." Just pick the branch of the service, type your message and click send.\n\nThe story behind the "to any serviceman" cards:\nSince 1967, when Sgt. Billy Thompson wrote Abigail Van Buren and mentioned that a wonderful Christmas present to our armed forces would be "just a letter from home," American citizens have been sending holiday wishes to servicemen and women stationed overseas every holiday season. Dubbed "Operation Dear Abby," the program has brought holiday joy to hundreds of thousands of U.S. military personnel deployed away from home.\n\nTo access the site, visit http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/\nMilitary Exchange Prepaid Calling Cards\nThe Department of Defense Military Exchanges have been authorized to sell the following prepaid calling cards to individuals and organizations who wish to purchase these cards for our troops serving overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.\nhttps://thor.milexch.com/scs/default.aspx\n\n12 Ways to Support Our Troops\nBy Lance Helgeson\nhttp://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourlife/Articles/a2004-12-07-12support.html\n\nYou can adopt a specific or random service person for a prayer circle.\n\nhttp://www.presidentialprayerteam.net/troopsadopt.php  \n\nYou can write to a service person.\n\nhttp://anyservicemember.navy.mil\nThere are dozen of organizations, which allow you to purchase items and present it to a service person, but there are other options you might consider.  Visit the closest VA Hospital or for something really unique try: \nwww.snipersonline.org (They ask for contributions to buy items that the Government refuses or that is out of stock.\n\nGod Bless You and The Southern People
402268
There are countless organizations that specialize in supporting the troops. This is the official site from the Department of Defense that gives you links to such organizations. Just sending small items can mean a lot to some people.\n\nhttp://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/index.aspx
1096068
email is a little to far due to the fact that they don't publish soldiers and marines email addresses due to security. adopt a soldier is the best way to go. a letter is better then an email anyway. I loved letters more then emails when I was overseas... because someone actually took to time out and wrote a letter... Just a thought....
382961
Generally until a soldier gets to his FOB he will have a difficult time contacting you.  Making a phone call back to the US is expensive and the lines can be several hours long.\n\nWhen I was there I found that the best way of staying in touch with home was email and various chat programs.  About 20 of us went and pooled our money together to buy a satilite internet setup and I found that this worked real well.\n\nRumor has it that there is a company that is selling internet and VOIP service to the soldiers at the larger FOBs.  This should mean that you will be able to talk on the phone for a reasonable price and use video chat utilities.
568166
It depends on what you're shipping.  USPS is usually best for lighter weight envelope type packages, UPS is more economical for heavier packages, FedEx will get it there very fast.\n\nConsider your needs carefully and use the right tool for the job.  You may need to send different shipments through different couriers.
673117
APO postage is the same as US Postage.  If you are mailing directly to Iraq, it would be different.  My son was in Iraq and Japan and both places had APO addresses and we just used the normal postage.
558190
I worked with a company a few years ago called US Xpress Enterprises Inc.\n\nThey'll beat the typical delivery methods including DHL, UPS, USPS, etc.\n\nFeel free to contact me. I'm a consultant and I'd be glad to assist.
892005
My brother served in Iraq until July when he was killed there.  But one of the things he always mentioned was the letters, cards, and little tokens of appreciate that total strangers sent to the troops.  A little something like a card can brighten someone's day.  When I was going through boot camp I got cards from people I didnt know but appreciated them just the same. Especially with the holidays coming up.
210117
You should be able to send her mail through the military interim mail system
505293
Something from the comforts of home. When my brother was in the Navy (pre- 9/11) we'd send him care packages filled goofy crap: cereal (like Lucky Charms or something that he loved as a kid), cookies, gum, candy, all kinds of junk food - that's apparently a hot commodity. Letters, cards, stuff like that. Something that would make him smile from either the sheer hilarity of it or be touched that someone thought to do it. \nGood luck!
207666
Care packages are really the best! Try and get the name of a contact in her division, they can give you a list of things to send like calling cards, eye drops, lip balm, soap, a favorite candy (not one that will melt!), books, batteries, magazines, baby wipes, etc. They can also know if you need to package it in a certain way. Include as much as you can, there are lots of soldiers that have no one to send them things.\n\nYou could also start her class with letter writing. When my dad was in Iraq while I was in 2nd grade (in the early 90's), we wrote letters every other week I think. He said it really helped keep everyones spirits up to get mail, especially the guys who never had anyone write them.