Take him to a good Italian restaurant and let him sleep in while he's home.

When I graduated Parris Island in 1983, THE thing to get were Corfam shoes. They never need polishing for dress uniforms. Also, DO NOT snap the light on in his room when he's sleeping unless your want to have a freight, you AND him. And get used to him asking permission to use the head (bathroom) for the first week home. My mother still laughs about it.

Ka-Bar.

I still have mine the folks gave me.

My own Marine son expressed an interest in the symbolic dress cutlass part of authorized uniform back nearly 30 years ago when he graduated.

A pair of Rocky S2V boots, if they are up to Marine Corps standards. Just bought a pair for my son who recently graduated from Army Basic. He said that's what the Army Infantry Drill Instructors wore... He said if they wear them they must be good...A Marine needs good boots... I know, first hand...

Another vote for a Ka-Bar. It is the knife of the USMC.

Maybe a nice shadowbox to go along with it, that he can add to over time.

My 14y/o son want to join the Marines. A friend of ours, a former USMC Viet Nam vet, gave my son the Ka-Bar he carried in Viet Nam. I can't put into words how much that means to my son and myself.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by PossibleZombie:
You can't go wrong with a quality multi-tool (gerber or leatherman). Junior enlisted Soldiers are expected to have one with them and they certainly come in handy. I can't imagine it being too different for a Marine.

They are? When did that become a thing?

If we had anything not authorized on us as the uniform of the day when I was in the Army, we were told to take it off.

I got my first Gerber issued to me in 2003. It's been a thing for at least since then. Never seen anyone make a correction for someone having a multitool on their belt.

I'm sure he would like a nice Sig!!!

Danner combat boots. He will thank you or years to come

He should be finishing the crucible any time now!!

I decided for now to go with the K-Bar sold at the Paris Island engraving shop. It will be available to give to him Friday at graduation.

I bought my son a small Benchmade knife with his unit and a EGA engraved on it. He took it on his next deployment and is wrapping a deployment as a contractor in Astan. He has been using it for about 4 years now.

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:
Danner combat boots. He will thank you or years to come

Dinner makes a great boot, I have had a couple of pair myself but they do not fit everyone comfortably and some people hate them.

quote:

Originally posted by Old Seadog:
I'm sure he would like a nice Sig!!!

My son has a Sig that he got in a group buy after his first deployment that has his name, and unit symbol on it.

Congrats. My son graduated last week and I got him a nice 1911 too add to his now growing collection.

A good knife is always a good thing to have.

My grandson was presented with a Benchmade sheath knife when he graduated Special Forces. Beautiful piece of craftsmanship. May not be useful to a marine, however.

Good tips about waiting until he can decide what he needs/can use.

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:
Danner combat boots. He will thank you or years to come

Dinner makes a great boot, I have had a couple of pair myself but they do not fit everyone comfortably and some people hate them.

Exactly.

quote:

Originally posted by signewt:
My own Marine son expressed an interest in the symbolic dress cutlass part of authorized uniform back nearly 30 years ago when he graduated.

I got a real cutlass when I made Chief. (gift to myself)

I can't wait until someone tries to break in!!

quote:

Originally posted by signewt:
My own Marine son expressed an interest in the symbolic dress cutlass part of authorized uniform back nearly 30 years ago when he graduated.

When he gets his blood stripe (NCO) he can get his sword

Congrats to him. It's not always easy, it's not always glamorous, but it's always rewarding. And it will be something he can look back on with pride. Graduating the Island is something you always remember.

I was thinking watch or knife. Benchmade?

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:
Danner combat boots. He will thank you or years to come

I bought a pair at the PX at Mosul. They fell apart a few days later. Split on the seams.

Danner did send me a new pair, eventually.

The Beretta arrived today, picked it up at the FFL. My son leaves downrange tomorrow, should get back the following, and be home within the week for a few days.

I had a text chat with him this morning. Hinted at Berettas. He said he'd rather have a Glock...

He's getting the Beretta.