FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- (Nov. 24, 2015) For most people, nothing is worse than spending the holidays away from Family and friends. But for deployed Soldiers, there's not much choice in the matter.
While Soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq no longer need the basic toiletries -- the Army and Air Force Exchange Service along with Morale, Welfare and Recreation run facilities that see to their basic needs -- that does not mean they do not enjoy getting a treat from home.
"Unless Soldiers are gone to a new, austere environment -- like a new deployment area -- they're pretty much well taken care of now," said Roddy Strattman, Division G1. "It's nice to get care packages from home, obviously, but AAFES is pretty much at these locations now."
Unlike when the wars first began 14 years ago, care packages are now used mostly to send Soldiers brands that are not stocked by AAFES or MWR or to remind Soldiers of their loved ones back home.
"For the most part, Soldiers deploying to our regular deployments like Afghanistan and Iraq, they pretty much have stuff there for them that they can buy," Strattman said.
There are not currently any Fort Campbell Soldiers in any austere environments. The last place to qualify was Monrovia, Liberia, where the 101st Airborne Division deployed last October as part of Operation United Assistance.
Master Sgt. Frederick Murphy deployed with the division in support of the operation.
"It was during the Christmas holiday season, so a lot of the things we received [were] like decorations, Christmas cards, candy canes, cookies -- all kinds of things for the holiday festivities," Murphy said. "So that was very gracious from the different organizations who contributed."
He said the sort of things Soldiers like to receive changes based on the time of year, as well as the timeline for the deployment, but there is never really a bad time for Soldiers to get care packages.
"It gives them a tie back to home," Murphy said. "Then it also affirms that we have Family, friends and loved ones back in our community who support what we're doing while we're deployed fighting for our nation. It also validates in terms of the bond that we have in terms of community, in terms of Families coming together, things of that nature."
Pictures from Family Readiness Groups help reassure Soldiers that their Families are being taken care of while they are deployed.
"There is no more mailing packages to 'Any Soldiers' -- people cannot do that anymore," Strattman said.
He said if civilians want to support Soldiers who are deployed, they can do it several ways. The first is by sending packages to a Soldier they actually know who is deployed to share with his brothers in arms.
"If they have the address they can go ahead and send packages as long as they meet the criteria of the United States Postal Service," Strattman said.
They also have the option of sending care packages addressed to a designated unit representative to distribute among the Soldiers.
Murphy said that anyone wanting to send a care package, but is lacking an actual name and address, should work with local organizations that already have an established relationship with the military as a means of sending care packages downrange.
The important thing for community members to know is there is no free shipment. In most cases, senders must pay the postage fee.
"All of the niceties are pretty much taken care of now for the most part -- all of their basic needs," Strattman said. "Not only can they get stuff from AAFES, they can go online."
Both men agreed it is best to ask Soldiers what they want, but Murphy said that the best surprises are products unique to home.
"I know some things Soldiers would consider gold," Murphy said. "Some the big ticket things Soldiers still like to see are the Girl Scout cookies. They still love the beef jerky -- that's a very popular one. Certain brands and types of chips they can't get while they're there. Just unique items that are somewhat rare that we can't get while we're deployed."
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