Graduation Gift Ideas for Nephew Who Enlisted

MRM · 05-12-2008, 06:36 AM

My oldest nephew, who my kids always look up to as the big, cool cousin, just turned 18 and is about to graduate from high school. He is a great kid. He's not sure what to do after high school, so one afternoon, without telling anyone, he went down to the Army recruiting station and signed up for a three year hitch as an advanced cavalry scout. Apparently that means manning the big .50 cals on Bradly Fighting Vehicles and Abrams tanks. Very cool. He ships out for basic in August.

I want to get him something for graduation that will be meaningful and useful. It has to be something he can carry through basic and hopefully use later, something that will survive considerable abuse, but not be tempting to a thief or be so small it's likely to be lost.

I was thinking about getting him a good watch that showed military and civilian time. I'm not sure what is allowed in basic these days or what a soldier would find useful, so I thought I would put it to the PPOT brain trust and get some good practical ideas.

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

I bought my son a nice Seiko Chronograph 25 years ago when he graduated HS & joined the Air Force.

He wore it much of the time through his 20 year stay there and now as a retired MSgt, working for a living

he still has it.

In other words, it was a good choice for me.

legion · 05-12-2008, 06:53 AM

A laptop--get other relatives to pitch in if neccessary.

From what I gather, this is how most soldiers communicate with their families--through e-mail.

With his own laptop, he will have time to send e-mails daily. Without one, he will have to beg for time on someone else's or be consigned to a weekly phone call.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

A leatherman tool is always handy to have

pwd72s · 05-12-2008, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobra

A leatherman tool is always handy to have

That's funny...a leatherman "wave" is on the way to a nephew of Cindy's for his graduation..

stomachmonkey · 05-12-2008, 07:15 AM

Second the laptop. Go for $5-600 model so not much is lost if it gets "lost"

BGCarrera32 · 05-12-2008, 07:21 AM

$500 in an ING certificate of deposit that will automatically renew annually, to be used for whatever he needs when he gets out of the military in 4 years, should he choose not to re-enlist.

MRM · 05-12-2008, 07:24 AM

Great ideas. Can recruits bring Leatherman type tools with them through basic?

Seahawk · 05-12-2008, 09:12 AM

Laptop was my first suggestion. A small digital camera would be great as well. I wish him all the best.

MRM · 05-12-2008, 09:36 AM

Thanks Hawk. In light of your other post today I was going to tell him about you as I try to give him advice and encouragement. He has a great uncle on my side of the family who spent 30 years in the AF and retired as a Colonel, so he knows of the possibilities.

If you see a scared 19 year old hanging on to a .50 Cal, trying to look brave as his tank rumbles down some dusty road, that will be one of the hundreds of thousands of him out there. Keep a good watch over all of them with your eyes in the sky.

Rikao4 · 05-12-2008, 09:46 AM

A watch, he will remember you and the kids long after the laptop fries.
Laptop good AFTER basic.
Myself, I had no free time in basic..if you do..the DI's are slacking.

Rika

Hard-Deck · 05-12-2008, 09:53 AM

Watch, computer, leatherman, camera etc....all good gifts.

If it's an enlistment gift, get a timeless one like a watch or great knife (although he can't take the knife to basic). The laptop will be gone in 2-4 years but a timeless gift, maybe inscribed is awesome.

My best of wishes to your nephew. I'm glad he's manning-up.