Donating Knives to Combat Troops

3

30-30 Cal.

Joined
Jan 1, 2004
Messages
243
Morning All

Matt Shade got me thinking of a better way to donate knives, tomahawks, whatever, to front line troops. As it happens, I work at the Joint Strike Fighter Program, Department of Defense, Washington, D.C. We are currently developing the next gneration jet fighter. You can go to Google and get a lot of info on our program.

Anyway, I just spoke to my boss, Colonel Reynolds, USMC. He's one of the most upright men I know. I explained what you guys are doing, and would like to pass his remarks on to you. He was deeply moved be your efforts, but saw some possible conflict with current regulations. Due to concern over terrorist sending bombs in the mail, knive's are limited to two inches in lenght. (Matt, this doesn't mean the adapt a sniper program doesn't have a way around this).

The Colonel knows Lt. General Amos personally. The General and his troops are due to rotate back to Irag this Spring. The best way to get knives, tomahawks, whatever, to the troops is to give it to them while they are still in the States. The Colonel said he would be happy to coordinate with the General and allow me to provide a mailing address to you guys. (The Colonel's thought was the General would present the knives as part of a meritorius field combat award, he thought the knives would be a distinct badge of honor to those awarded them).

The advantage to those of you who would like to donate knives to the troops is it takes the guesswork out of wheather or not they get them; it's no longer a hit or miss operation as you would be working/communicating with the active service.

If you would like me to take this further, let me know. I will get the mailing address, and the Colonel will let the General know about this effort. Feel free to call me if you would like.

Regrds,

Dave Stifle,

Joint Strike program
(703) 604-3847
 
but saw some possible conflict with current regulations. Due to concern over terrorist sending bombs in the mail, knives are limited to two inches in lenght.

Hmmmmm, Dave this isn't directed at you, just your boss and I expect that my comments are pretty much the reason I was considered a disciplinary problem, but just what in the Hell does a 2" knife length have to do with Terrorists sending bombs in the mail.

It's nice to see that some things haven't changed in 30 couple years. The Brass still have their heads up.......Oh well, I might as well edit myself before I get email from Kit.
:footinmou :footinmou :footinmou :footinmou :footinmou :footinmou :footinmou
 
I laid off but felt maybe something should be said by me. In doing so I am presuming it is our recent thread here that prompts this considerate advise of yours. I will check it out, first with the post office and then elsewhere as well. Regardless and as long as I have a hand in it, our knives from our thread will not be sent to a colonel in any branch whether he be full Bird or otherwise and especially for him or any other to distribute as he sees fit for reasons he sees fit. Our knives go directly to the men they are ment for. With that said I know your advise is sincere and with best of intention. I will check out your warning though before shipping the first knife. Thanks.

RL
 
Oh ....Don't fuss at Dave, Rodger. I already did that and shouldn't have. The problem he's trying to point out is that it's nearly impossible to mail directly to anyone in a combat area without it going through the military mail system.

If they open it and they may or may not, it could either be confiscated on the spot (read that stolen) or sent to never never land for processing (read that lost and forgotten)

To be honest, unless things have changed, I doubt it would be opened at all. A lot depends on how they're labeled.
 
Well, maybe "don't open til Christmas" might be the ticket :eek: .

I'll check it out.

RL
 
No....what you need is a label that says:

This item must be opened and inspected prior to delivery.
Won't get touched :D
 
good advise and I would not have thunk that. I know you know I was just joking in my most previous post. Anyhow none gets away until I check things out with both post office and our contact, at the least. BTW, just received the first knife. Its from Fox. Really nice too.

RL
 
I'm not encouraging anyone to do it this way. Matt Shade's post is what got me to thinking of how we could ensure the right guys get the gifts. But, simply by virtue of where I work, I thought I could help.

Dave
 
The reason I asked on the other thread was a friend of mine sent something (not a knife, she never said though, I am sure it was just a gift) to a family member over there this last fall and they never got it. I was worried that a shipment of knives would not make it. That is why I asked. I have two good friends over there now I would love to try and make knives for but don't know how I could ship them and make sure they get it. I am afraid it would be like giving a gun to a gang member and asking him to turn it in to a cop. :eek:
 
and I knew that when I read your opening post. I view your advise seriously and will proceed with extreme jealousy and may end up asking your further help. Thanks again.

RL
 
The advice I was given was to deliver knives BEFORE they head overseas. It's no problem shipping to posts here. Once they get on that plane headed over the ocean is when the problems start.
I've been sending to family members for the last 4-5 years and haen't had a problem. The ones headed for Europe did take a long time to get there(APO)
my 2cents worth bruce
 
Oh ya, forgot... when ya fill out the manifest at the post office, declare the contents as being a multi-tool, not knife, blade, etc.
Some of the USPS folks can be a bit unreasonable at times. bruce
 
Last spring I shipped some cigars to my brother who was, until recently, deployed in Baghdad. The lady at the post office was filling out the customs form for me (I had never sent anything overseas before and hadn't a clue what forms were needed) and when I told her that it was a box of cigars, she made a face and said that we'd better not say that, lest they disappear. She recommended "personal hygiene products" or somesuch, and that's what we did.

The cigars made it just fine.
 
I was talking with an Excalibur store employee that has a brother stationed in IRAQ
at the moment and he gave his brother a SOG Pentagon knife and later found out that
he cannot carry it because of the full length serrated blade, I guess it is against the
UN/Geneva rules.
 
Guys,

I'd like all who read this post and want to donate knives to go to the "tactical knives to Special Ops" post by Roger Linger in this forum. I had'nt read his post when I published this, and after doing so, see that he is quite adeptly organizing a similiar and well thought out effort.My concern was that we need to ensure the right guys really do get what is sent, and Roger has that covered.

Regards,

Dave
 
Dave,

Can you email me your phone number just in case I need your further help insuring the packages arrive at the intended destination? Your thread may have been pefectly timed since I received the first knife today. I want to check this out well before risking any of you fellows hard work.

Thanks.

RL
 
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