Solar Power Pre-Deployment To Afghanistan?

dAzED1 writes "My little brother is heading for training at 29 Palms as a Navy Corpsman with FMF. He gets a [Sailor|Soldier|Marine]'s pay, so while he can't afford gadgets, I can; since he'll be in a LAR unit, I was thinking of getting him a small video camera, an iPod, and some sort of solar recharger. Whatever he takes, he'll have to be able to carry in his pack, which is already going to be heavy with his medic gear. Other than the weight issue, I am having problems finding a solar recharger that doesn't get wildly differing reviews as to basic quality. He'll have plenty of sun and few clouds, but it needs to be lightweight, effective, and robust. With price not being much of a concern, what would you suggest for accomplishing this? Advice on a small robust video camera would be appreciated as well."

Comments

Re:Pay

[Anonymous Coward]

I just looked at it.

1399.50/month for an enlisted with 4 months of active "experience". It's not a lot of money on the surface, but it's plenty of money when you have no expenses.

$1399.50 is more money than I spend in any given month, if I exclude rent. It's much more money than I spend in any given month if I also exclude food. Given that enlisted can do both, if they wish, they're not destitute.

I'm not saying you'll ever make a lot of money as an enlisted man, but you wouldn't need to save up for "months" to buy an ipod. You'd need to save for about a week.

Re:Pay

[palegray.net]

I just got out of the Navy as an E-4. Sorry, but your assertion that young enlisted men can't afford a bunch of gadgets is just plain wrong. I was a contract E-2 going in, made E-3 nine months later (automatic), and made E-4 six months after that. Here's the current pay for each grade (pre-tax, but you're only taxed on your base pay, all allowances are tax free):

• E-2 (less than 2 years of service): $1,569.00
• E-3 (less than 2 years of service): $1,650.00
• E-4 (over 2 years $1,921.00

Unmarried Sailors get galley rations, comprehensive medical and dental care, an annual clothing allowance (doesn't completely cover uniforms, but it's pretty close), plus any special pays for rate designation (submarines, etc). While they're at sea they receive sea pay as well. Married Sailors received a housing allowance, commuted rations in their paycheck, and all the other standard benefits.

Virtually every young Sailor I knew in submarine school had, at minimum, a video game system, decent sized TV, fancy cell phone, laptop, various games, a CD/DVD collection, and more in their barracks rooms. All without going into much unsecured credit debt, if any.

Of course, there's always a few idiots who overextend themselves, and there's always a few who are more conservative with their money (a roommate of mine finished sub school with over $20,000 in his checking account). My primary point still stands.

In any event, thank you for your service!