It's Tough To Decide What Stays, and What Goes...

Though my spousal unit and I have successfully managed to travel for up to 2 weeks with just a carry-on apiece, traveling light doesn't seem to be in the cards for this month-long soiree to the RTC. The Army is going to give us a duffle bag or two full of "stuff" that we are expected to lug back home, and then lug to the sandbox. The packing list includes a helmet, Molle (pronounced "molly") pouches, backpack, rain and cold-weather clothing, optical sights for our rifles, goggles, protective sunglasses, sports bra (for the females, though there are a couple of guys that could probably use one), tactical flashlights...well, it's a long list, and it's not all we get issued, by a long shot. Then there's the personal electronics (120GB iPod Classic, as recommended by my Recovering Texan Battle Buddy), laptop computer, comfort items like my Starbuck's travel mug which also holds six small tubes of their new instant coffee, (kind of like a revolver's cylinder), tempur-pedic travel pillow (rolls up smaller than a loaf of Wonder Bread), and of course all of the uniforms, boots, socks, underwear, and Physical Training uniforms required to maintain one's stylish military appearance. Some friends of mine who are deploying with other units have revealed their plan to take along golf clubs, fishing gear, even bicycles. We'll see what stays behind, and what goes...but if any readers have useful suggestions, I'll welcome them!