Within this section you will find advice, tips, and ideas for sending care packages to our troops, as well as some useful info. Fell free to add your own ideas and tips.

The following are some guidelines and FAQ for sending mail to a Service Member:
Mail to overseas posts and individual service members is processed through the Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) and is routed through an APO (Army/Air Force Post Office) or a FPO (Fleet Post Office). Mail addressed to one of these two locations is considered "domestic" mail for postage purposes and handling with limitations applied. Some of the APO/FPO ZIP code locations have restrictions as to what can be mailed and may even required custom declaration forms to be attached to packages.

Q. Can I send mail free to a person in the military?
A. No. The free mailing privilege only applies to military service personnel and designated civilians in specially designated areas with limited postal support. In other words, it is only free for those deployed personnel in designated overseas locations identified by The Department of Defense(DOD). This program is not for their loved ones, family, or friends back home.
Q. Does it cost more for mailing overseas to military service personnel?
A. Regular domestic postage rates apply for mailing overseas. There are no additional charges for mailing from the U.S. to overseas APO and FPO addresses.
Q. Are there size restrictions on a package I may wish to send?
A. At times, some military units may have additional restrictions imposed by the unit commanders, such as those on size and weight, to ensure logistics support can handle the mail along with other necessities. The maximum length of a package in any category is 72 inches. In addition, Military ZIP Code restrictions may change as military units move to different locations. All applicable restrictions for about 3,000 overseas military ZIP Codes are entered into the U.S. Postal Service computer terminals and published in the Postal Bulletin.
Q. Does USMC Hangout have military members addresses to send care packages to?
A. We just started a new program. You can find the addresses of service members that you can write to in our Forums Section. You will have to be a registered active member of the forums to view and add records. This is done for added security. If you are not considered an Active Member and still want to list your service member so he/she can receive letters of support you can contact us and we will add the information. You will need to e-mail the following information for the record to be added: Service members rank, name, complete mailing address, branch of service, service members e-mail address (if you wish for them to receive e-mail) your name, and your relationship to the service member. All of the preceding information is required for a record to be added. By submitting this information to be added you are agreeing to the Terms of Use. **This program has been suspended as we revamp the section**
Q. What is not allowed to be included in care packages to deployed military?
A. The following items are PROHIBITED:
Illegal substances
Alcoholic beverages
Explosives, including fireworks.
Offensive or obscene materials, including photos, drawings or any other material which may have the potential to offend members of the opposite sex, members of another race, background, nationality or ethnicity; anything which would make uncomfortable, someone who is deeply religious, conservative or modest
Q. What Should I include in my care package to those members serving overseas?
A. Here is a list of the most requested items:
Toilet paper
Toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash/dental floss/breath strips
Soap with case/shower gel/anti-bacterial hand soap/hand sanitizer
Nail files (emery boards)/nail clippers/tweezers
Q-tips/cotton balls
Toothpicks/matches
Baby powder
Shampoo/conditioner/hair gel/hairspray (pump)
Lotion/Avon skin-so-soft
Eye drops (moisturizing) /saline mist nose spray
Travel size Kleenex
Deodorant
Combs/brushes
Contact lens cleaner
Disposable razors/shaving cream/aftershave lotion
Baby wipes/Clorox wipes
Writing paper/envelopes/black ink pens/mechanical pencils
Lip balm/chapstick/sunscreen (bottle & roll on kind)/BugOff & bug repellent spray
Bath towel/wash cloth (dark colors)
Bandanas (desert & woodland cami)/swimming goggles
Mini fans
Batteries (all sizes especially AA)
Band-aids/Neosporene/Hydrocortizone cream/Calamine Lotion
Sewing kit/Sunglasses/small flashlight
Motrin/Tylenol/Dayquil capsules/cough drops/No Water Excedrin (mint)/Sinus Meds/Benadryl
Imodium AD/Pepto/Tums or Rolaids (all pill forms)
Blankets/Standard bed pillow/pillowcase/single sheet sets
AT&T Prepaid Global Calling Cards
Ziploc Bags
Women:
Feminine Hygiene Products
Hair bands/hair clips
Nail polish
Body sprays
Perfume
Food Ideas
Instant Oatmeal/individual box cereal
Jello snack packs/Hunts Snack Puddings
Presweetened Kool-aid/Presweetened Lemonade Mix
Powder Gatorade/Crystal Lite Powder Drink Mix
Kraft Handi snacks
LifeSavers/Certs/Tic Tacs/Chewing Gum/Lollipops/Tootsie Rolls/Hard Candy
Snack cakes/Rice Krispy Treats/cookies
Cups of Soup/Noodles
Milk & Cereal Bars/Granola Bars/Power Bars
Peanut butter & crackers
PopTarts/PopTart sticks
Marshmellows
Frito Scoops/Pringles/Doritos (snack size packs)
Snack Crackers
Individual snack size chips
Trail mix/Chex Mix
Tuna snack kits/canned chicken/Sardines
Slim Jims/Beef Jerky/summer sausage
M&Ms/Skittles/Chiklets
Dried Fruit/individual applesauce/canned fruit with pop tops
Canned & instant soup
Nuts/Raisins (individual bags/boxes)
Individual packaged pies
**No Pork Products/by products can be sent!**
**No fresh meat, fresh fruits or vegetables**
Dice
Disposable Camera
DVDs & VHS Movies
Music CDs
Electronic Hand Held Games
Frisbees
Puzzle Books/Mad Libs/Joke Books/Comic Books
Newspapers/Magazines/paperback books
Jump rope/stress ball
Travel Board Games/Mini Etch-a-sketch
Playing Cards
Crossword Puzzle Books
Blank Greeting Cards (for soldiers to send home)
Stationary/journals/return address labels (or SASE)
Radio headsets
Drawing pads/construction paper
Or put together a Military Survival Kit.
Q. Do you have any packing tips I should follow?
A. Use plastic bags with zip-style closures for everything. They keep out sand, they keep out rain. Resourceful Marines are re-using them for all sorts of things. Quart size are great to keep their wallets and personal photos with them, in one of their many pockets, and they stay dry. If you're shipping a liquid (shampoo, eye drops), or items that are likely to melt or drip (Chapstick, deodorants, chocolate) be sure to pop it into a tightly sealed plastic bag first. That will help keep the rest of the items from getting gooey or ruined, just in case. For more tips see our Care Package Tips Page.
Q. Where is a good place to get shipping supplies?
A. I found using Stamps.com very useful. During deployemts is great, I can print postage right from my computer. And I think they are offering a free trial. Click on their button below to visit them: