What digital camera to buy for soldier?

[minivanmama]

My son will be deployed to Iraq next spring. We want to buy him a digital camera so he can record his experiences. His is a novice photographer and has used our Nikon Coolpix 3100. He is not a techie kind of person. We would interested in your recommendations.
Thanks for your help.

[TampaJim]

Well, it depends on your budget as to the specifications. I would highly recommend that you look at Canon and above all the Canon Housings. I can tell you from first hand experience that dust, sand, dirt (read camera killing invaders) get into EVERYTHING in that environment. Here is a link to the various housings and models that they support. I would try to pick a camera that can use AA rechargeables not a proprietary battery cell.

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=StandardDisplayAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=10596&keycode=underwater_photo