What should I buy for my son in Iraq?

[PegLeg45]

Good list...eyes, ears, body, light, knife.......not much I could add other than a good Leatherman tool. I have carried one for 20 years and it has paid for itself in spades.

Pass along my thanks to him for his service and to stay safe as well.

[long762range]

Thanks for the advice. 

I did buy him his first switchblade.   

Not every father can say that.

http://www.tinysusa.net/gerber.html

[Ksail101]

After being over there for awhile everything you brought with you starts to break about for about month 4. (Or sooner) So just ask him. When I was there we had nothing cause it was the invasion.

 But Headphones and or portable cd players are all you have to get your mind out of the sandbox. So music was a big thing. If he is into music pretty much any cd that isnt top of the charts you cant get over there.

A portable dvd player for when you are in your tent at night is the best thing ever but like I said sand and dust eat stuff quick so he might have one now that is his lifesaver (mindsaver) in the evening but that doesnt mean it will be working in about a week from now.

Cool things that he can show off the guys that you would want to get him are:
Check local laws to make sure Auto opening knives are legal where you live so you can order them He can have one cause he is in the military. The first one is the knife that Special Forces get issued so it will be the envy of all, this knife actually has an NSN (National Stock Number) So that means that Military or Federal employees can order it and it is approved. But of course civilians can have them too. There are non Auto Versions of the the first knife.
 
The second knife was shown to me by a guy in Delta Force way before I saw it in any mag or store. Benchmade for the most part has the lock on the SF guys, they love their knives. But anyway this knife is pricey but is the baddest knife next to MicroTech knives. But half the price. Which isnt saying much cause it is about $500. Benchmade also make a push dagger that alot of guys like over there.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=5000

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=3300

Also if he doesnt have one and you are looking to get him something not involving knives or such, is a good watch. There are a ton out there that are good of course. Really I love just the Timex Expeditions with the velcro strap. I never liked the feeling of a rubber watch band with sweat and sand on my wrist. And if you wanted to to go all out on a watch. 5.11 makes some cool ones and the company Special Ops Watch makes great ones.

Any little thing helps too. Good Socks, Kool-Aid, Suckers (Blo-Pops) If you can find them the Under Armor undershirts are nice, Better than plain Cotton. And of course Good Gloves. Mechanix Gloves were my Fav. But he might like Hatch, Surefire, or Blackhawk Plain aviators.

I hope some of this will lead you a direction. Everyone added good stuff. Make sure that he knows that there are alot of people that still care and will always.

[1776 Rebel]

Ksail101

I am a sometime knife guy (when I put my guns aways at night ) and was wondering if you could give some feedback.

First did you encounter any guys carrying Randalls? If so what were the general feelings toward them? Randalls have been in all the wars since WWII. Had a reputation as the best of the best. For example...

http://www.randallknives.com/catalog.php?action=viewcategory&catalogcategories_id=5

Second is this the SF knife you were speaking of? Chris Reeve is a transplanted South African working out of Idaho and makes some wicked blades. This one is presented to all the SF graduates.

http://www.chrisreeve.com/greenberet.htm

[Ksail101]

1776- First Randall Knives are some of the best knives in the world hands down. The only person in my military Career that I saw have one was a retired SF guy that was our "tribe's" leader in Robin Sage. He had done multiple tour in Vietnam and had the bullet holes to prove it. Randall Knives are amazing but I did not see any soldier around me with one. I think the time it takes to get one from the company is a reason along with the price of the ones you do find. I wish I had Model 14 Attack.

And next is No I was not talking about the Yarborough (Sp?). Yes they are issued as well upon graduating from school, but I never saw as many of these as I did the Benchmade Autos. Honestly for a fixed blade I really liked (so did others) the good old fashion M9 Bayonet. It was great and I had it on me at all times. Heavy but I would rather wreck what the Army gave me than something I really cherish like a Randall. But almost all folders I saw that were ever issued were auto Benchmade. This was cause of the NSN's and quality. I remember in 03 when we went in if you had one  you were cool.

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

Eye protection is the most important thing IMO. ANSI Z81 safety glasses offer some ballistic protection. 100% UV blocking is mandatory to prevent cataracts.

An ipod-type mp3 player with spare ear buds would be great to listen to while off duty. No moving parts to get wrecked like on a CD player.

There are some tough double edged fighting knives out there too.The oldies are still goodies. One of my friends carried a Gerber Mark II. http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/316 Ek still makes commando knives but they're expensive. A folding knife with a pocket clip is more useful most of the time. Cold Steel makes a lot of different ones and they're VERY sharp. They give a military discount too.