A friend of mines son is leaving for boot camp in a few weeks.
Do you usually buy a going away gift or a graduation gift.
If so what would be an appropriate gift. He is going into the Army.

Thanks

If he's going Army, Navy or Marines, dont buy anything until he graduates. If he's going Air Force, buy him some golf clubs to take to basic

after graduation IMO.

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I took a couple gifts to boot camp years and years ago. I put them all in a box with my civies and sent them to my folks on day 2.

Give him a jelly donut.

Tell him to keep it in his foot locker.

Then tell him to leave his foot locker unlocked during inspection.

The Drill Instructor will find it, (sort of like an Easter Egg hunt) and will become very emotional and much bonding will occur.

Neither he nor the Drill Instructor will ever forget this bonding.

A good watch such as a Casio G-Shock.

However:

I wouldn't get him anything until after he's graduated from AIT and to his unit. Items he will need will be issued to him. He might want some different boots but I don't suggest that initially. At BCT (Basic Combat Training), he will wear the issue boots. At AIT, he may have a choice but he should wear the issue boots in order to keep him feet conditioned.

Wait until after he gets to his unit and see what he would need. Common things Soldiers would need if not issued by that time would be a good knife or flashlight. Gerber/multi-tool should be issued somewhere along the line.

If he doesn't have them already, get him three master lock, combination locks #175D. Set them all the same, to his choosing. Tell him to scramble the last two numbers. When everyone else is fighting to open their locks his will be open.... My son said those were a lifesaver..... He graduated Army Basic last September.

quote:

Wait until after he gets to his unit and see what he would need. Common things Soldiers would need if not issued by that time would be a good knife or flashlight. Gerber/multi-tool should be issued somewhere along the line.

Careful about knives! If a pocket knife it is probably OK. Larger ones, or sheath knife used to be only allowed during field exercises and had to be kept in the arms room when not in the field.

I would wait until he is assigned to a unit and then find out what that "special something" is that he might need or want.

I would suggest not getting him any gift till after he graduates from boot camp, completes his MOS training, and is assigned to a unit. At that point in time a gift would be appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
I would suggest not getting him any gift till after he graduates from boot camp, completes his MOS training, and is assigned to a unit. At that point in time a gift would be appreciated.

This.

You could give him an IOU for his NCO’s sword when it comes time. That would certainly be a treasured gift.

Friend of mine’s son graduated basic back before Christmas

When he came home for the holiday I gave him a surefire and a Benchmade

Every soldier, sailor, airman or marine should have a good knife and flashlight

Don’t bother getting it before basic.

Chances are he won’t be allowed many non issued personal items anyway

I wouldn't give him anything before basic. It will all go in his bag and get locked up for the duration. At least it did when I went through in 2005. Only the Platoon Guide was allowed to wear a watch.

After he graduates everything, a Casio G shock or Suunto Watch , a leatherman, a head lamp (petzl) or a handlight (streamlight, surefire) might be a good gift. They used to issue Gerber multitools before deployment so that might not be worth it. Another option is an appointment with a financial planner. A lot of young soliders don't start saving for retirement when they should have.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Give him a jelly donut.

Tell him to keep it in his foot locker.

Then tell him to leave his foot locker unlocked during inspection.

The Drill Instructor will find it, (sort of like an Easter Egg hunt) and will become very emotional and much bonding will occur.

Neither he nor the Drill Instructor will ever forget this bonding.

I really enjoy your post Mr. Monkey, thank you.

They are likely to take and store away any personal items during basic. His recruiter will instruct him on this. I would wait until he graduates basic then give him an Exchange gift card, then he can buy what he wants. You can buy the gift cards on line from the AAFES website

If you want to give him a tangible gift, I agree that a high quality flashlight and knife are essentials. If your budget goes that high, a Leatherman Weapon tool would be a great gift for a soldier. Three of my children got Danner combat boots when they finished basic or OTS-the best gift I could have given them and they could not afford them on their own. They can be purchased in the Exchange with the gift card.

I advised my daughter to purchase Gold Bond and Motrin at her earliest opportunity. She was a freaking goddess among her cohorts, as well as quite happy herself.

Upon graduation we gifted her new boots of her choosing, as well as some other "stuff". Laptop, Fitbit, multi tool, watch, all come to mind as things she wanted after graduation. I threatened her with a glitter filled card if she didn't write us more often, (as a 4yr old she was dubbed the glitter queen by a preschool teacher).

The comments make sense. My first thought was back to basic (quite a few years ago). At that time I would have suggested a Zippo lighter. I went to basic with a fancy lighter which was replaced as soon as I could with a Zippo. Different times.

Today I would go with a durable not flashy watch.

Army guys do basic training. I would suggest a good pocket knife after he graduates.

Get his mailing address and around week 4-5 send a nice box of assorted candy and snacks. By then he’ll really be craving that stuff, he’ll quickly be a fan favorite amongst his peers. It’s actually a long-term favor you’ll be doing for him. After his 4th or 5th hour of getting smoked and throwing up, he’ll swear off all candy going forward in life. Years down the road he’ll be a much healthier person as a result.


Or as others have said, nothing until graduation. Chances are it will be locked up anyway till he’s finished.