Ask Present Professor: Stuff For Soldiers

Sarah writes:

Dear Present Professor, I am an Army spouse who has a few young soldiers from my husbands unit which I have adopted for the next 12 months as they have currently re-deployed. Because I have gone through 3 deployments now, I pretty much have a handle on what deployed soldiers enjoy and what not to get BUT after 3 deployments I am a little stuck on gift ideas this year. Most of them have their laptops with them so I am wondering what gift ideas you may have as far as technology goes. Because of the heat and sand, protecting their computer is a priority or even their cell phones. Yes, they have phone down there now… War has changed,huh? Any help you can give is greatly appreciated. Because they are in an area where they can only bathe every so often, bath stuff isn’t even feasible One of my adoptees is female. Thanks for your guidance.

Hi, Sarah! What a wonderful thing to do for the troops!

I love this little USB-powered mini-keyboard vacuum. It’s just $5 and uses the power from the computer itself to vacuum out the little bits of sand and dust that inevitably get into their technostuff.

I’d also suggest sending some fun ’80s DVDs for the soldiers to enjoy. A few months ago, a friend of a friend lamented that his young soldiers had never seen the likes of Goonies, Princess Bride, The Breakfast Club, Gremlins, or Ghostbusters. These are all fun flix — perfect for a little relaxation in a decidedly unrelaxed environment.