Grad gift ideas for son going ROTC

[jhynesrockmtn]

My son starts college in the fall and was just notified he received a national Army ROTC scholarship. With that and other money the school is throwing in he's got much of his college paid for This was a huge accomplishment for him and one he has really been looking forward to.

I have college money put away for him and will leave that sit there for now.

I wasn't going to do much for high school graduation given I went in on a car for him.

But, with this recent news I'm thinking I'll up the level of the gift. Nothing too huge. Try and keep the cost around $500 maybe? Any ideas for what a kid needs that is going into the Army ROTC program? Military watch, some type of equipment? I'm not a gun guy and wouldn't know where to start there. I think that is something he should figure out. So, besides a gun, what great ideas are out there.........

[nostatic]

um, a gun?



Tactical flashlights are cool as are watches and knives.

And guns

[The Gaijin]

Congratulations, he sounds like a great kid. I mean a great Officer Candidate..

Look into a membership at this gym. It is a great place to get into and/or remain in the kind of shape he will need to be in. Lots of military members at most affiliates.

Kirkland CrossFit

[tangerine911S]

Its a little cliche, but a nice watch could be a good gift. Buy a quality piece and it could be something he will wear his entire life and pass on to his kids, especially when it would be linked to this memorable event.

[Embraer]

my dad got me a watch for HS graduation...that was 10 years ago. I still wear it everyday.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by tangerine911S

Its a little cliche, but a nice watch could be a good gift. Buy a quality piece and it could be something he will wear his entire life and pass on to his kids, especially when it would be linked to this memorable event.

A watch is a good suggestion, but the OP said $500 and that doesnt get you that sort of watch you describe.

[johnnywishbone]

seiko kinetic ebay

[dewolf]

Rolex from Thailand

[Hugh R]

Isn't a Rolex from Thailand a $100, or so, complete knockoff?

[Seahawk]

First of all, congratulations...you must be very proud of your son.

Like others, I recommend the watch angle...he'll get all the other gear he needs from the big green machine

Again, my best to your son.

[Dueller]

I'd buy him a nice Arai helmet and entrust him on your VFR and set aside a week this summer to go on a bike tour with him.

I'd think the memory of that summer motorcycle trip with the old man before heading off to college would be something he would remember for the rest of his life and is somewhat symbolic of his becomming an adult aqnd you acknowledging it. Trust me...once he leaves for college he won't have the time or inclination to spend that kind of time with the old man for a while. I'd save the nice watch idea for college graduation.

Son is bugging me to ride a motorcycle

[Erakad]

Agree with the rest, but get something that can take a hit.


Of course, I made a deal with my kids. Get a full ride scholarship, and I'll buy you a car. Believe it or not, he's still driving it 7 yrs later.

[Dueller]

C'mon, jhyne... the kid deserves a final outing with the old man. Leave the dogs and dirts bikes and hit the open road with him.

[/QUOTE]

[jhynesrockmtn]

Thanks for the ideas. I've thought about a watch. I have a few swiss autos including a submariner I rarely wear anymore. I like the idea of something he'll have for a long time.

I was researching military watches and the Marathon SAR and GSAR pop up. The quartz is $450 and auto is $700 which is doable.



While I like the motorcycle trip idea, he hasn't brought up bikes in a while and I only have one VFR, one set of gear, etc. We will do that eventually. I'd like to do an Alaska trip when he graduates college.

[fintstone]

Congratulations! My daughter did her undergrad on a ROTC scholarship and is now in medical school...courtesy of the Air Force. Give him money. Students never have enough...even with scholarships. With ROTC, he will likely not have any time for a part time job and will be busy most summers as well. Also, many kids don't stick with ROTC after the first year (for all sorts of reasons)....so hang onto as much cash as you can...just in case.

[s_morrison57]

Money always works and he'll need it.

[Rot 911]

Forget anything of a military bent. Every summer he will be going to some type of summer camp and with the exception of a particular watch or flashlight, the packing list of things he needs is very specific and most of it will be military issue.

If you want to get him a nice watch, fine, but most of us guys in the combat arms side of the Army wear something like a Timex Ironman or a G-Shock. They are tough, waterproof, and have a provision to see what time it is at night. Not to mention an alarm so you can wake up 30 seconds before they flip the lights on in the barracks.

[Mark Howard]

It does not cost $500, but I would recommend an Army Officer's Guide. My Dad gave me one when I entered ROTC and I still have it 25 years later. Its a useful publication for a new or soon to be officer and perhaps will have some sentimental meaning if it is from you.

Other more expensive items that soliders like: Danner boots, Gerber Knife, SureFire Flashlight, ACU backpack, etc.

When he gets commissioned, buy him his first set of dress blues from Marlow White with the stabrite adornments. He'll appreciate not having to pay that bill!

Best of luck to him.

[Seahawk]

Well done, Mark.

The dress blues suggestion is perfect, as is the AOG.

My son, unfortunately, wants to try and become a Marine.

Crosses to bear.

Originally Posted by Mark Howard

It does not cost $500, but I would recommend an Army Officer's Guide. My Dad gave me one when I entered ROTC and I still have it 25 years later. Its a useful publication for a new or soon to be officer and perhaps will have some sentimental meaning if it is from you.

Other more expensive items that soliders like: Danner boots, Gerber Knife, SureFire Flashlight, ACU backpack, etc.

When he gets commissioned, buy him his first set of dress blues from Marlow White with the stabrite adornments. He'll appreciate not having to pay that bill!

Best of luck to him.

[HHI944]

If you go the knife route:
Chris Reeve Knives - Optimum Quality, Optimum Performance
or the neil roberts knife from him.

Fantastic knives, hold an edge like nothing else and customer service is exceptional.