A little off normal topics - need some advice/info about sending a package to my son in Iraq

[The Straight Story]

Really not sure who the hell to ask so I figured I would tap the reservoir here at DU (if I don't get an answer, will open it up to those with an H1B visa to answer....)

So I have a package put together and almost ready to send. Kindle with a bunch of books, girl scout cookies, X is making some home made candy to send, etc and so on.

Problem: Turns out he is 'off base' or on maneuvers till end of this month or next - could be 4-6 weeks before he makes it back to base (he is out of communication until he returns according to his wife). So if I send it now I am worried it will sit out in the middle of the desert and the candy/cookies/etc will melt/spoil (vs keeping them here in the fridge and sending later), the kindle will lose it's charge (no biggie, it holds a charge for 4 weeks, just want him to be able to fire it up and see some pics and such instead of having to wait hours for it to charge).

If I send it now, does anyone here know where those packages are stored?? In his quarters? Warehouse? Have you sent something before in this situation and if so what happened?

Might sound silly to some, but he is really looking forward to this package (everyone in the family is sending something) and it would suck for him to come back after ops and have it all a mess.

Should I just wait and send it in a few weeks just to be safe? I would love for him to be able to get back and have it there waiting to greet him - but it won't do much good if it is all spoiled/melted.

Thanks all!

[AlabamaLibrul]

1. I have no clue how it is for millitary mail

but having been in the back area of a couple Post Offices, I wouldn't count on any perishables being good for too long. It's a total sweatbox.

[The Straight Story]

2. I would not worry about it if he was there (he has gotten other things already)

But I just found out yesterday he won't be there to get them, so it is a big unknown.

[Jersey Devil]

3. Suggestion - Call his home base in the US

I don't know what service he is in, but my son-in-law is in the Air Force, and when he was deployed there was a support group on his home base that helped families of those deployed with all kinds of issues. In my son-in-law's case the support group was headed by the spouse of his commanding officer.

[The Straight Story]

4. Honestly, I did consider this - however

I know how sometimes you get the 'official' line - VS the actual experience of people who have dealt with it :)

[Lefta Dissenter]

5. any family support organization?

specific for your son's unit? If not, there SHOULD be. I know someone who regularly sends packages to troops - I'll drop her a note to see if she has suggestions. She travels a lot, though, so I can't be sure I'll hear back from her. :hug:

[dogday]

6. Plan on sending it at least 2 weeks before he returns or a little less

than that as it averages around 2 weeks. My Son was stationed at Camp Stricher a few years back....


best of luck :hi:

[southernyankeebelle]

7. I suggest to you to call the base he is stationed at back in the states. Or any military base close

to you. Ask for the Protocal Office on base he is stationed at. I do believe that there are people in his unit that are back in the unit in the states. Its a garrison unit. If you aren't sure what the number is call information. The quickest way is to call your congressman's office and ask them if they can get the phone number to his unit at the home base. That is their job to help you. I would be carefull to send a kindle through the mail. Sometimes these units have packages going overseas.

Also call the chaplain's office they are pretty good at telling you the quickest way. They may know someone going over and can take your package for you.

[Cid_B]

8. Average travel time...

... was about 1 week (really good) to 2 weeks (average) to never (a few times)...

The way this worked for us was the mail showed up at a primary FOB and the unit will make a logistical run X times per week/month to retrieve.

Odds are it will sit in a room somewhere but will eventually reach him.

If you have perishable items then I would wait. The other option is to divide up the perishable from non perishable and sent two separate packages. One with kindle etc.. and one with cookies etc...

Check out the flat rate APO boxes as well.

Hope this helps and lemme know if I can straighten out anything else.

[Solly Mack]

9. They usually forward it on. That's how it worked when my husband was there.