My best friend’s son (they are like family to me) is graduating in Dec from college where he was in the Corps of Cadets and will be heading to Fort Benning, GA in January. He will be doing basic training (??) and then will be in Army Ranger training. I am at a loss as to what would be a good graduation gift for him. Anyone have any ideas for someone going into the military?
Thanks!
A print from the college he’s graduating from.
What does he like to do? Since he will be going through boot camp, he won’t really have any space to put stuff. Maybe a gift card for the movies, bowling, golf course driving range, restaurant, etc. Something he can do before he leaves…
Exchange gift card (he can use it at any PX, BX, etc.)
Ditto - Exchange gift card. He will need to buy things, but they will be very specific items. Unless you can find out what he will need (maybe a watch, boot socks, base layers if he is going to a cold climate area), cash/gift card is best. Maybe go up a notch and include a fun Army-themed t-shirt. this company sells some popular (among military folk) t-shirts: http://rangerup.com/
The Army will issue him what he needs. Prepaid credit card for random purchases per #3 is a good idea.
A knife or multitool/pocketknife (Leatherman, Swistool) might be appreciated.
This link has an interesting discussion on knives used/issued by the armed forces.
http://www.themodernsurvivalist.com/archives/1633
Prepaid cash card so he can make initial purchases of needed supplies at the PX such as sneakers before training before he receives his first paycheck from Uncle Sam.
If he’s going as a commissioned officer, one thing to consider is that they’re responsible for buying and paying for the maintenance of their uniforms during their time in service.
Thanks for the great ideas! I looked on Etsy and found really cool prints of different college towns and I’m going to get him the framed print and a PX gift card. Can these be bought online? Is there just a generic one good at all exchanges?
Looks like they’re pretty universal, except for Coast Guard: https://www.shopmyexchange.com/scs
Many drill sergeants now allow soldiers in basic training to keep their cell phone. Soldiers will be limited on how and when they use them, but chances are good they will still be able to send and get texts, make the occasional call, exchange pictures and messages with loved one. If he is planning to take his phone, a terrific gift that he would likely appreciate very much, is a portable power source like a Mophie. It’s a battery pack that you can use to charge your cell phone several times on the go…before you need to recharge it. Can also be used to charge other devices like Mp3 players and laptops.
Tell him when he is at Ft. Benning to go to the Sat morning jewish services. It is attended by maybe 20 jews and about 400- 450 non jews. Why? Because they serve FOOD afterward (bagels, cream cheese, etc) and the food and the carb intake is otherwise very limited for the soldiers. Telling him about this is one of the best gifts you can give him!
How about a copy of the Heinlein book “Starship Troopers”…I am not being funny, apparently they are using this in officer training and such (West Point recommends it to their cadets)…and no, it is nothing like the campy movie they made out of it.