U.S. Army Company D 3rd Battalion 69th Armor Regiment Support for our “Boys”

About our Platoon There are approximately 20 male Soldiers in our US Army Platoon and they are deployed from Georgia to Iraq until January 2011. Beginning in November, we should cut back on what we send to the platoon as they may not have room to store it; they could be moved around to make space for their replacements, which they will most likely have to train, but mail will always be needed.    Please keep in mind that our Soldiers have no place to store extra items sent, may move frequently and would have no means to move a large amount of boxes.  They suggest that we do not expect responses back in a timely manner due to the nature of their job, but please know that the support and letters that we do send are worth their weight in gold!  They also suggest that we include our email addresses inside all care packages as it may be easier to contact us.      CONDITIONS: Our Soldiers are living on an old Iraqi Army Base that was built in the 1920's by the British. They do not have a PX store, but they do have 220V power, running water and A/C most of the time.  There is a gym that is limited in equipment.   Company Mission: D/3-69 AR BN conducts Full Spectrum Operations in direct support of STTs in order to allow freedom of maneuver during partnered operations to enable Improved; security, governance, essential Services, and economics and thereby limiting Violent Extremist ability to influence the local populous.   NEEDS:  Hygiene, snacks, chips, micro popcorn, slim jims, candy, plastic coat hangers, DVD movies, writing tablets, envelopes, black inked pens, dryer sheets (do not send with food items), razors, wash cloths, baby wipes.

What it means to adopt a Platoon Large groups such as civic organizations, schools, youth groups, religious institutions, private companies, corporations, government organizations, clubs etc. can ADOPT AN ENTIRE PLATOON OR MILITARY COMPANY. Most of AAP’s platoons and companies are Army and Marines. Large groups are given contact to a platoon/company via a military point of contact (POC) to the platoon / company. A platoon or company varies in size. Typically, platoons are between 15 to 40 soldiers. A platoon is the smallest designated category of soldiers in the military. Platoons make up companies. A large group as noted above can embrace via an adoption an entire platoon or a smaller number of soldiers within the platoon. Your support to the platoon / company will be shared among the soldiers in whatever amounts of support you send. Our soldiers are a “Band of Brothers” and “Battle Buddies” and support is shared within the platoon / company. How to manage platoon adoption support must be decided by the organization or business, but examples are as follows: A day is designated once or twice a month whereby employees, club members, schools, youth organizations, etc., set out boxes so that individuals can bring soldier support care package items as well as cards and letters. A team is designated once or twice a month to package and mail all support gathered. Some businesses pick up the cost for shipping while the employees / members of an organization supply the “goodies” and necessary care package items. Some employees take up a fund collection to cover shipping costs. Schools can work to arrange a department-wide, campus-wide or district-wide support measure in supporting a partial platoon or an entire platoon. Students design the greeting cards and write letters (lesson plans can be incorporated) while faculty, paraprofessionals, administration and school staff members donate care package items and goodies. Parents can also participate as well as community leaders and local businesses. Students of all ages enjoy designing greeting cards and writing letters to the troops. Teachers, please incorporate this patriotic opportunity into your lesson plans. While embracing support for our U.S. deployed Service Members, students can research military bases on the Internet, visit military museums, ask a local military hero to visit the school and write essays such as “What freedoms do I appreciate” or “What does being an American mean.”

Meet the “The Dark Knights”

The Dark Knights Mascot

Living Conditions

General Suggestions for Care Packages – not specific to our Platoon. (3 pages)