Now that we've got all those pesky emotions out of the way, here's the functional deployment-related post, for anyone else in the same boat (okay, pun intended).
Here's the packing we list scraped together over the past week, on the advice of some fellow submariners and their wives. Time will tell whether this was a good list or not! One suggestion was that 1/3 of your seabag should be packed with clothes... the other 2/3 should be snacks. Uniforms alone took up an entire seabag, a duffle bag and a suit bag, so I'm not quite sure how that one works!
Sneakers (2)
Shower shoes
Dryer sheets
Space bags
Sweats/work-out clothes (2)
Socks/underwear (10-14)
Poopy suits (3-4)
Other uniforms (Justin's boat asked him to bring khakis, whites, SDB's and NWU's- dang thats a lot of clothes!)
Promotion Insignia (Justin will become LTJG in May!)
Civies (2)
Pillow/pillowcase
Towel
Toiletries
Flashlight
Multitool
Cash
Backpack
Laundry bag
Drink mixes- we got Gatorade, Mio and Starbucks Via (I think drinks served on a sub are water and coffee...)
Snacks/candy- also helps make friends ;)
Thermos/water bottle
Tablet + charger
Headphones
Camera + batteries, charger, BIG SD card
I definitely think the tablet is a must. I loaded it up with pictures and a playlist of our favorite songs (and a few goofy ones a la "Under the Sea" from the little Mermaid). My husband also set up a folder that will sync with our desktop computer in Boston whenever he is able to get wifi. This allows us to share pictures, songs and videos both ways. I love technology!
Another suggestion I got a lot was to write out cards for my husband to open periodically. I think this is something I would enjoy if I were out to sea, but he is not really a card person. Not to mention we barely had time to get this list together, let alone shop for and write a bunch of cards. Instead I used good ole MS Paint to make some funny little notes for him to open as he gets certain qualifications.
So there you have it. I'm pretty sure that will take up 100% of his personal space on the sub. Next I need to figure out what I should send him in the mail!
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Kat (and anyone else who might be helping pack/take care of a loved one on deployment),
ReplyDeletePackages, cards, and ANYTHING handwritten is AMAZING while on deployment. iI know it's a little bit harder to reach the submariners than it is us surface folks, but the little handwritten notes from my father at christmas LITERALLY brought me to my knees in tears. Yes, I am a [daddy's] girl, but I'm sure it's similar with wives. The power of a small, thoughtful package or some well-placed words is amazing when you've been under the navy's thumb and away from family for an extended period of time. So don't every think it's silly or not a big deal, because it is! :)