Army Boot Camp Graduation Gift?

[Worfiedoodles]

My niece is graduating from Army Boot Camp in a couple of weeks. Her parents are driving to the graduation. We will not be attending, but we would like to send her a card, and something in it, if that is something she can have. I'm assuming a gift card would be ok, just not sure what type to get? She's moving on to Texas for combat medic training. I'm not sure what she is allowed to have at this point? Should I wait until she finishes that to send her something other than a card?

I read the thread about military balls and now I'm wondering if she's in the same Army, her letters have been about being made the Bay(?) leader and meeting the male standards for physical fitness! Oh, with some shooting (apparently she's really good!) and interesting food thrown in!

TIA!
Maria

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Phone cards, Wal-mart, Target, etc. Also just some money to put into her bank account. That way she would have it when she needed it.

 

[thewebbs5]

My son in law graduated Army boot camp earlier this year. During AIT (specialized training) he had a lot more freedom. He could go anywhere in a 70 mile radius without a pass. So she probably will be able to use anything you got her.
I will let you know that what should have been a 6-8 trip from basic in Missouri to AIT in Texas ended up being a 3 day journey. He spent a night in the St. Louis Airport which had a great USO that took wonderful care of them and gave them everything they needed. Then a night in the Dallas Airport because they missed their connecting flight. The Dallas USO closed early so they were on their own. The bad thing is, their luggage was not available to them so they had to go and buy stuff like toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. Plus pay for their own food. I've learned now that this is not uncommon because of flight delays, changes in flight times, etc. All that to say, maybe cash or a visa/mastercard gift card in case she needs the money in transition. if not, she'll for sure be able to spend it when she gets to her next location.
Just a "make you smile" story... As my son in law walked up to pay for his toiletries at the airport, some man in the store walked up and paid for everything he got and said "thank you for your service".

 

[jedijill]

AIT (Advanced Individualized Training) is a bit more free than basic training. Not sure if she will have a car to get off base so preloaded Visa/MC cards would work at the PX if she can't get to a Walmart or Target.

Which base in Texas is she going to? I spent a year at Ft Hood and you really need access to a car to get off base (or around base for that matter!).

Jill in CO

 

[JB2K]

Forget the Visa/MC gift cards -- an even better thing you can get her is an Exchange Gift Card (which is the gift card they can spend at retail/food facilities anywhere they're stationed).

Especially, since she can't get off-post during much of her AIT (next phase in training).

Anyone can order them at the Exchange Website.

 

[thewebbs5]

At my son in laws AIT training, they could leave anytime while not on duty. She will need transportation so that could be an issue getting off base, but most hitched rides to anywhere they wanted to go if they didn't have a car.

 

[1Mouse2RulethemAll]

I would suggest that you wait to give her anything until after her specialized training. I would stick with a card for now with the promise of something else later. When I was in AIT I could not go anywhere for the first 6 weeks; also, gift cards/money are too easily stolen.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Phone cards, Wal-mart, Target, etc. Also just some money to put into her bank account. That way she would have it when she needed it.

All good ideas!

My son in law graduated Army boot camp earlier this year. During AIT (specialized training) he had a lot more freedom. He could go anywhere in a 70 mile radius without a pass. So she probably will be able to use anything you got her.
I will let you know that what should have been a 6-8 trip from basic in Missouri to AIT in Texas ended up being a 3 day journey. He spent a night in the St. Louis Airport which had a great USO that took wonderful care of them and gave them everything they needed. Then a night in the Dallas Airport because they missed their connecting flight. The Dallas USO closed early so they were on their own. The bad thing is, their luggage was not available to them so they had to go and buy stuff like toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. Plus pay for their own food. I've learned now that this is not uncommon because of flight delays, changes in flight times, etc. All that to say, maybe cash or a visa/mastercard gift card in case she needs the money in transition. if not, she'll for sure be able to spend it when she gets to her next location.
Just a "make you smile" story... As my son in law walked up to pay for his toiletries at the airport, some man in the store walked up and paid for everything he got and said "thank you for your service".

Wow, I hadn't even considered how she would get to Texas, I just assumed she'd be transported by the Army -- I love the story, that is awesome and priceless!

AIT (Advanced Individualized Training) is a bit more free than basic training. Not sure if she will have a car to get off base so preloaded Visa/MC cards would work at the PX if she can't get to a Walmart or Target.

Which base in Texas is she going to? I spent a year at Ft Hood and you really need access to a car to get off base (or around base for that matter!).

Jill in CO

I'm not sure where she's going -- I just know it's for medic training and it's a really big base in Texas

Forget the Visa/MC gift cards -- an even better thing you can get her is an Exchange Gift Card (which is the gift card they can spend at retail/food facilities anywhere they're stationed).

Especially, since she can't get off-post during much of her AIT (next phase in training).

Anyone can order them at the Exchange Website.

This sounds really useful, and like I should check out this site for the foreseeable future. I just assumed she could leave without any issue, but I don't really know!

At my son in laws AIT training, they could leave anytime while not on duty. She will need transportation so that could be an issue getting off base, but most hitched rides to anywhere they wanted to go if they didn't have a car.

Ah, so she still may be able to get around. It sounds like we won't know until she tells us how it's going.

I would suggest that you wait to give her anything until after her specialized training. I would stick with a card for now with the promise of something else later. When I was in AIT I could not go anywhere for the first 6 weeks; also, gift cards/money are too easily stolen.

I wondered about that...I do know she gets to come home for 2 weeks at Christmas, so I'll be sending her gift along with the ones for the rest of her family -- but I'll keep it portable since she will be travelling somewhere afterwards. Not sure how long AIT (thanks for teaching me the term!) lasts for her, so what will happen after Christmas vacation?

Lots to consider...Thanks so much for all the replies!

Maria

 

[mousefan1972]

Medic training at a big base in Texas... has to be Fort Sam Houston. Good for her. I hope she does well and stays safe.

 

[jsmith]

68W ( the military designator for combat medic) school is at ft Sam Houston/Brooks Army Medical center in San antonio. Im gonna go against all the folks who advised target gift cards,phone cards, px cards ect-while those are great-the army does pay her-provider her food and housing and she does have access to public transportation. But-female soldiers do-as she wrote home-have to spend alot of time being equal to or better than their male counter parts-and sometimes being a girl gets lost in that. A gift card to a spa-either from spa finders or to one specifically in San Antonio-or bath and body works- pretty stationary-something girly-will likely be pretty much apprieciated ( yes that ball thread is the same army-lol-most of us are spouses not soldiers-and despite what you might have taken away from it the social events are a part of military life and attending them certianly doesnt hurt a soldiers carreer.) the school she is going to is quiet long-so she will be in
San antonio a year or more before she is assigned a permenant duty station.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Medic training at a big base in Texas... has to be Fort Sam Houston. Good for her. I hope she does well and stays safe.

Thanks! We are so proud of her. She did really well on the ASVAB and had her choice of branches. She chose the Army, and she was able to get her physical fitness when she went in to the level they are expecting when you graduate boot camp, so she went in at a higher rank.

68W ( the military designator for combat medic) school is at ft Sam Houston/Brooks Army Medical center in San antonio. Im gonna go against all the folks who advised target gift cards,phone cards, px cards ect-while those are great-the army does pay her-provider her food and housing and she does have access to public transportation. But-female soldiers do-as she wrote home-have to spend alot of time being equal to or better than their male counter parts-and sometimes being a girl gets lost in that. A gift card to a spa-either from spa finders or to one specifically in San Antonio-or bath and body works- pretty stationary-something girly-will likely be pretty much apprieciated ( yes that ball thread is the same army-lol-most of us are spouses not soldiers-and despite what you might have taken away from it the social events are a part of military life and attending them certianly doesnt hurt a soldiers carreer.) the school she is going to is quiet long-so she will be in
San antonio a year or more before she is assigned a permenant duty station.

Thank you, this is really helpful to know she'll be in one place for awhile. I apologize if I offended anyone with my reference to the military ball thread -- it just struck me a such a contrast to what my niece is talking about in her training and experience --it's good to know there will be some nice events in her future! She is definitely a very girly-girl. I usually get her Victoria's Secret lotions and such for Christmas. This year I'm planning on getting all 3 nieces (20, 19 and 11) Vera Bradley bags. I figured even in the Army, it would be ok to have a cute bag when she's not on duty?

It sounds like it makes the most sense to send her a card with a little money now (via my SIL, who can give it to her on family day), and when she gets settled, send her something more feminine. That also might be good, to let her know she's still in our thoughts as she takes on a new task. I found this great military card section in Hallmark (I was so excited, I didn't know they had such a thing!), so I think it will be easier to send her a little encouragement (hopefully she'll be able to get cards after boot camp, we're limited to letters now).

Thanks so much to everyone for helping me think through this. As I've read various threads I've realized this is an entirely different culture, and I want to make sure we support her, and don't do anything to make her life more difficult.

Thank you to everyone who is a military family or veteran -- I appreciate the sacrifices you have made for our country. My father is a veteran so I knew to appreciate the service, but that was many years before I came along -- so I didn't really know anything about logistics, culture, or how to support a new service member!

Maria

 

[jedijill]

AIT, especially long courses, has much more freedom than basic training. My AIT was 9 months long and after the first month or two we were treated almost like permanent party (what you are called once your training is done and you get to your first permanent duty station.) Depending on how she is housed, space can be a major issue!!!!!! She will have A LOT of gear that takes up room so there won't be a ton of extra room for other "stuff" which is why I made the gift card suggestion.

I hope she takes advantage of being in the San Antonio area. Lots of stuff to see and do on her time off. If she has a long weekend, have her check with the base MWR office to see if they are organizing trips or have discounted tickets. I know that Sea World often has free or discounted admission for active duty military. Schlitterbahn, a fantastic water park, is just up the highway in New Braunfels. It's also not a bad drive to Corpus Christi and the beach.

The Army is a great career. I did 6 years and had the opportunity to see Europe. It also got me started in the telecommunications career that I have now. Go Signal Corps! The military can be tough for a woman but I fully believe that it did nothing but great things for my life and my career. Hope she enjoys herself!

Jill in CO

 

[powellrj]

My DS had his AIT at Ft Sam and loved it. His favorite way to spend his time off was to go and check into a motel and sleep and watch TV! He did do some sight seeing while he was there, but he said he was so tired and just wanted to kick back and do nothing on his off time.

 

[jsmith]

I figured even in the Army, it would be ok to have a cute bag when she's not on duty?

Absolutely! not just okay-important even.
And yes SA is a blast-the Riverwalk is awesome-and Sea World does give military and their families one free admission per year. My husband deployed from Ft Hood in June of 09-my boys and i flew down to spend his leave rather than having him come home. Sea Worlds policy is one free per year for service members and their dependants per year-we were with some friends and each family had one child over 23-thus by military standards no longer dependants-no military ID-and we were prepared to pay for them-to our surprise they admitted them free as well.
Best of luck to your niece OP-she chose a great job-and be proud of her-its an extraordinary commitment to both her country and her fellow soldiers-medics are important.