A question for any of the Vets, How did/do you keep your cigars in good shape? Assuming you buy more than one at a time. Will I be able to get what I need there,or will I have to pack it and carry it with me? In Vietnan I just kept everything in a ammo can, without worring about HR, but Iraq, I assume maybe a problem.

Thanks for any infor,

I'm not a vet, but I just sent a few boxes of smokes over to the troops there and did did a fair bit of research first as to how best to do it. Also, I've traveled in many inhospitable climates with my cigars, including the desert. (For the record: I ended up shipping the troops well-padded and airtight tupperware-type containers with humidification packs in them.)

Might I humbly suggest the following: Get an Otter Box and a whole mess of Boveda humidity packs. This is what I've done and have had no trouble - though the climate in Iraq may be somewhat different than the deserts I've been to.

Obviously, get an Otter big enough for all the smokes you want to have at one time. You don't necessarily need to get the Cigar Caddy, any old otter box will do. It is waterproof and airtight. With a Boveda pack in there it should keep them moist. Just google Otter Box and get one from their own site. As to the Boveda packs, keep them individually wrapped in their plastic packaging until it's time to use them. (I also use otters for equipment such as cameras and GPS. They keep the dust out extremely well.)

By the way, thank you for your service. It's people like you who keep us safe. Be brave, be careful, and come home soon.

Scot, thanks for the feedback.
I've got an old Goody Box made by Aquacraft that I used when I was Scuba diving some years ago. I'll keep an eye out for the Boveda Packs. I guess I could do like my Grand Father and my Dad did, just cut up an apple and drop some of it in with the cigars and leave the top opened a crack.LOL

Thanks again,

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bones,

Bones, I second Scottological's thanks. I know folks who've been over & back. Keep your weapons ready at all times, with a round chambered, despite any "rules" to the contrary, and stay as safe as possible. Above all, keep moving.

Don't know what branch you're in, but a little Marine humor (although these are funny, they're mostly true)

USMC Rules For Gun Fighting

1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns. Bring their friends who have guns.

2. If you can, make friends with those on the crew served weapons. Bring them as well. Borrow money from them, it gives them an added incentive to protect you.

3. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.

4. Only hits count. Close doesn't count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.

5. If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.

6. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)

7. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.

8. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived and who didn't.

9. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating (calling for arty or air support), reloading, and running.

10. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting is more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

11. Use a gun that works EVERY TIME. "All skill is in vain when an Angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket."

12. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

13. In combat, there are no rules, always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.

14. Have a plan.

15. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.

16. Have a back-up, back-up plan in case CentCom or SecDef finds the first two plans "unacceptable".

17. Use cover or concealment as much as possible. The only visible target should be in your gun sights.

18. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect your flank.

19. Don't drop your guard.

20. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.

21. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them).

22. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.

23. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.

24. Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

25. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.

26. Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

27. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a "4."


Army Rules for Gun Fighting

1. See USMC Rules to gun Fighting.
2. Add 60 to 90 days.
3. Hope the Marines already destroyed all meaningful resistance.


Navy Rules for Gun Fighting

1. Adopt an aggressive offshore posture.
Send in the Marines.
2. Drink Coffee and eat donuts.


Air Force Rules for Gun Fighting

1. Kiss the wife goodbye.
2. Drive to the base in your sports car.
3. Fly to target area, drop bombs, (try not to hit the Canuks) fly back to your home base.
4. BBQ some burgers and drink beer in your back yard, and talk shyte about the Navy, Army and Marines.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Admin,

Oops, I think my first reply got delayed by improper use of a few choice terms.

Anyway, a second thanks for your service, Bones. I know folks who've been there. Keep your head down.

A redacted version of a little Marine humor for you (but while funny, these are mostly true)

USMC Rules For Gun Fighting

1.Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns. Bring their friends who have guns.

2. If you can, make friends with those on the crew served weapons. Bring them as well. Borrow money from them, it gives them an added incentive to protect you.

3. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.

4. Only hits count. Close doesn't count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.

5. If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.

6.Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)

7. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.

8. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived and who didn't.

9. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating (calling for arty or air support), reloading, and running.

10. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting is more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

11. Use a gun that works EVERY TIME. "All skill is in vain when an Angel p**ses in the flintlock of your musket."

12. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

13. In combat, there are no rules, always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.

14. Have a plan.

15. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.

16. Have a back-up, back-up plan in case CentCom or SecDef finds the first two plans "unacceptable".

17. Use cover or concealment as much as possible. The only visible target should be in your gun sights.

18. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect your flank.

19. Don't drop your guard.

20. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.

21. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them).

22. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.

23. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.

24. Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

25. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.

26. Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

27. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a "4."


Army Rules for Gun Fighting
1. See USMC Rules to gun Fighting.
2. Add 60 to 90 days.
3. Hope the Marines already destroyed all meaningful resistance.


Navy Rules for Gun Fighting
1. Adopt an aggressive offshore posture.
Send in the Marines.
2. Drink Coffee and eat donuts.


Air Force Rules for Gun Fighting
1. Kiss the wife goodbye.
2. Drive to the base in your sports car.
3. Fly to target area, drop bombs, (try not to hit the Canuks) fly back to your home base.
4. BBQ some burgers and drink beer in your back yard, and talk s**t about the Navy, Army and Marines.

minal...that was excellent!

One more thing about the Otter Boxes. They're available is smaller sizes than the dive boxes you're talking about. So if you don't want to schlep something that big, get one of these smaller ones. You can get them up to, say, the size of a 30 count humidor.

The Boveda packs are available at most cigar shops.

Scot,
My Goody Box is 3X5X8inchs, I used it for: my wallet, check book, pen, car keys, hotel key, and of course the ever present "Rock Candy".

I did a fast "seach" on the Boveda packs, if the reports are half true, they must be GREAT! I'll find and take some with me. Again thanks for your input...

mina...,
I swear,I never talk "crap" about the other branchs when I got back to base. My son is in the Marines, hope to run into him and his Marines when they get there, early next year. You know, "Father and Son Together Again" LOL I hear an AK-47 w/ 2 mags goes for about $50 (US) or if I need one, I'll just pick one up off the ground, like I did in Vietnam in '64 thur'68 and again with the Company in '69. I see you too understand that God really loves all Americans Military. He gave all the U.S.Fighting men two gifts, the 30 cal, 45 cal, and to his favorite warriors (USMC) the "K" Bar.

Thanks Guys,

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bones,

Trench,
Thanks for the feedback, I guess my all time favorite cigars are going/now Cuesta-Reys. Aren't I just LUCKY (LOL)..Won't know my FOB intill I get over the jet lag.

Thanks,

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bones,

Bones, maybe you want to post your military address. Some of us just may want to send you a few sticks for you to share with your comrades.

Scott,
I am asumin'that I will be able to get on the net, at lease once-in-awhile. I'll drop in and whine about life, and bore everyone here, with a "war-story" or two.

Been putting my "Kit" together, stopping by to see and say good by, to family and to friends. Tomorrow I'll be packing, and doing a million last things, before I head out at Odark30hrs Sunday.

Good by, and I'll see you later...

Yoda 27 (I sure I'll get a new call sign.)

stay safe bones,and god bless

your a better man then me for going over there...

Hey, hows it goin'? Been in country for about three weeks now. There are a lot of Fake(?) Cubans around. The Cuesta Reys (DR)are a little dry,but seem to come back after a week or two in the Humi. Its very cold and VERY DRY here.
Still using the same old call sign: "Yoda" but no numbers this time...

welcome back bones

I'm now at Al Asad AB, now, but I've been to Liberty, and Anaconda so far.

Keep that reflective belt handy. Plus all the other stupid BS rules they got going on there.

Stay safe.

quote:

Originally posted by NoviceII:
Keep that reflective belt handy. Plus all the other stupid BS rules they got going on there.

Stay safe.

Heres a good one for you...I'm required to keep my reflective vest on over my level 4 Fak Vest. Wouldn't want to get hit by a truck in a IED "Kill Zone".

Yoda

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bones,

Well its almost spring and the action is starting to pick up. I'm outside the wire alot more now. The roads over here are more pothole than hard surface. They like to put their IED's in the potholes and then throw a little dirt on top to hide them. I've lost 2 tires, 1 driver's side exhuast, and 1 spare tire rack (under the trailer).

Yoda

Bones, stay safe out there.

You need any smokes? I'd be happy to send them to you.