Commissioning gift for new Naval Officer! Ideas?

[Forevryoung]

One of my oldest, closest friends is in the Navy ROTC program- He is getting commissioned December 22nd.

He has been assigned to the Navel base in Japan (on Okinawa) for 3 years. I said goodbye to him over Thanksgiving break because he was unsure of his ability to travel home for Christmas/New Years because of Naval rules (not enough time to fly home due to liberty...).

I want to get him a Graduation/Commissioning/Going away present but I am clueless (best idea was a nice pen)

If I get it to his parents before they leave for the commissioning, they can take it with them. Otherwise I have to mail it to him in the states and he packs it or I need to mail it to Japan. So it has to be small and fairly lightweight.

Any ideas?

 

[Longsx3]

Depending on which career field he is maybe something for his desk with his commissioning date on it, a really good pen set or a nice watch.

If he wants any info on Okinawa Pm me, we are stationed on Okinawa currently.

 

[Forevryoung]

Thank you Longsx3!!!!! I will definitely see if he has any questions. I know that he knows two other people there already.

Do you like it? I know he is really nervous (but very excited) about going.

Will he be able to find chocolate chip cookies, oreos, and tootsie rolls there? Those are the three things he wants to make sure I send him regularly but if he can get them there...

Thanks for the reply, I'm going to keep thinking. I've known the guy for nearly 9 years at this point, we grew up together (since freshman year of high school). My mom thought I should marry him until she realized that he wants to be in the Navy as a career

 

[Longsx3]

Yes he will be able to get all of those items at the Commissary easily, the commissary is the military version of a grocery store. Usually you can find everything you want there unless it it new or a speciality item.

We do like it, there are definitly things I miss about Germany (our last assignment) and the US, but 3yrs goes very quick and after 13yrs I have learned to make the most out of wherever we live.

I would be surprised if he wasn't able to come home during the Holidays, I guess it depends on his report date. Suggest to him if he has the opportunity to go home to take it because that is the biggest hurdle in living here it is very expensive to fly from Okinawa. I haven't seen a ticket for less than 1K.

 

[ahutton]

A couple years ago I got DH a really nice watch. It was a Luminox Navy Seal watch. I got him the fabric band daily wear one, but they also have really nice dress watches too. He loves it, it runs well and has a very subtle glow that is handy in the dark of night. It also is something that will last a long time with good care.