HS Graduation Idea for Nephew going into military

[mnasf]

My nephew graduates from high school this month and is going into the military. What would be a good graduation gift for him? Budget is around $500. We think cash would just get spent. Thanks!

 

[scrapquitler]

My nephew graduates from high school this month and is going into the military. What would be a good graduation gift for him? Budget is around $500. We think cash would just get spent. Thanks!

If he's going to basic training, he's not going to be able to bring much of anything with him. After that, he'll probably go on to specialized training, and again, limited on what he can bring with him.

In this case, I think cash is the best bet.

 

[sissy_ib]

If he's going to basic training, he's not going to be able to bring much of anything with him. After that, he'll probably go on to specialized training, and again, limited on what he can bring with him.

In this case, I think cash is the best bet.

I agree. He wont need anything at basic and after that he will need to come home and retrieve anything or have it sent to him. But $500 does seem like a lot for a young guy all at once. I know when I first enlisted I was always broke. Enlisted people don't get paid much the first two years or so. Maybe give him half now and send the other half after he gets done with all of his training?

 

[mnasf]

Thanks for all the advice. So no cameras, laptops, ipods, etc. allowed? I saw a suggestion about phone cards and one about a leatherman. Good or not?

 

[sissy_ib]

Thanks for all the advice. So no cameras, laptops, ipods, etc. allowed? I saw a suggestion about phone cards and one about a leatherman. Good or not?

You mean at basic? No electronics. Even if he is allowed to have it, I would not want to risk it getting stolen or damaged. If you wish to get him one of those items I would suggest sending it to him as soon as he gets to his next base after basic.
A phone card would very nice. A leatherman is a nice gift but also something he would not be allowed to have during basic.
What branch is he joining?

 

[Evi]

I'd give him a small amount now and then plan to send him stuff or the rest once he is stationed at one location. I'm sure he'd love a leatherman but it needs to be one of the higher end multitools. If it has the right gadgets he will probably enjoy taking into the field with him. Another thing is he probably can buy a leatherman for less then you can on base. I'd recommend going to his training graduation if you can and then you can find out what he needs. Or maybe offering him a round-trip ticket home when he gets time off.

 

[mnasf]

You mean at basic? No electronics. Even if he is allowed to have it, I would not want to risk it getting stolen or damaged. If you wish to get him one of those items I would suggest sending it to him as soon as he gets to his next base after basic.
A phone card would very nice. A leatherman is a nice gift but also something he would not be allowed to have during basic.
What branch is he joining?

He's going into the Marines. I appreciate your help.

 

[mnasf]

Thanks to everyone for your advice!

 

[Stephanie218]

Or maybe offering him a round-trip ticket home when he gets time off.

That is a great idea. You never know where he'll be stationed eventually and the cross-country plane tickets really add up. Hopefully for your wallet's sake, he won't be in Okinawa But having been stationed cross-country from our families for 5 years now, we've spent an inordinate amount on tickets.

Cash is always appreciated as well, but I'm not sure I'd give $500 at once. Some of the stories of young Marines and money management I've heard from my husband are pretty bad. I'd suggest breaking it up, probably after boot camp grad, and then after MOS school grad. Best of luck to your nephew!

 

[locolala]

I would definitely just do cash, or offer to get him some decent sheets etc for when he gets to his first base. The sheets and blankets that are affordable at that point are... well, sandpaper. It's also nice to be able to have a TV or computer in the barracks, so the cash could go towards that.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I think the best suggestion is the offer to buy him a round trip ticket to come home for a visit. You could save it for his first leave after he arrives at his first duty station (assuming that he is stationed in CONUS).

 

[Nancyg56]

I would give him cash. after graduation from boot camp he may want to purchase dress blues and they are not cheap. My nephew bought his blues, his dress greens and a few other things that he felt he needed so his cash went fast. '

I also thing airfare is a good idea. They do not make a lot of money so travel can be difficult.

 

[Bungle]

My niece is graduating and then going right into the navy. We decided to get her a really nice address book, some phone cards, and some gift cards. Its hard to figure out what to get when all we know is where shes going to school after basic training. All I could think of is how much she will miss home so I want to make it easy for her to reach us.

The round trip ticket is a great idea too.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I would give him cash. after graduation from boot camp he may want to purchase dress blues and they are not cheap. My nephew bought his blues, his dress greens and a few other things that he felt he needed so his cash went fast. '

I also thing airfare is a good idea. They do not make a lot of money so travel can be difficult.

They give those to them, or at least the Army does. And I agree, they are expensive.

Phone cards are the biggest thing as well as a nice letter set. He won't be allowed to have much, if anything he brings with him. They will issue him almost everything he will need, and they will confiscate anything else they don't want him to have.

Suzanne

 

[englishteacha]

I would give him some cash now, and tell him that you'll send him money or gift cards at various increments throughout his training/after basic, etc.

One of the best gifts I got at graduation was an IOU for a care package. I went to college, not into the military, but I'd say once he's done with basic and can receive special treats, I'd send him a care package and treats with phone cards/gift cards/favorite candies and such.

 

[chris31997]

They now issue dress blues for the Marines also(so I have heard it has been a loong time for my hubby )

It can get expensive to alter them or add the needed item to the uniform The leatherman would be nice and he probably would be able to use it, but it would depend on his MOS or job in the Corps. I am not sure he will be able to use phone cards, but he will be able to write from basic training. MOS school will be differant. If plane tickets would be too expensive, than you can offer him an IOU for a tool like leatherman or something similar. There is a bunch of gear that he might like to have that only he can get on base from gloves, sunglasses, boots, ...... that you can offer to pay for after he is done with school.

 

[thewebbs5]

Thanks for all the advice. So no cameras, laptops, ipods, etc. allowed? I saw a suggestion about phone cards and one about a leatherman. Good or not?

I know someone that just finished basic training for Marines and he was barely able to call home. I'd hate for you to spend a lot on phone cards and them go to waste. And when they were allowed to call home, they were given their cell phones.

my son in law went to basic for the Army last year and they were able to call home every Sunday using their cell phones. They turn them back in after a set amount of time. So I'm not sure phone cards would be a great option unless he has no cell phone.

 

[aimlyles]

Unless things have changed since I went through basic (15 yrs ago so they may have) a 12" plastic ruler and tweezers were two of the things I used the most. Clothes has to be folded to specific specifications with all edges lining up (thats where the tweezers come in handy)

Also, I'm not sure if they still where the black combat boots that need to be shined or if every branch weres the fabric beige/desert ones now but if they do where the black ones then cotton balls and shoe polish is a must too

Not expensive stuff but things he'll need for basic. I like the idea of an airplane ticket to come home, usually if you can afford it, you can come home before you head to your permanent base.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I gave mine 100.00.

Easy peasy. And it was probably what he needed the most. Did the same for my niece when she graduated high school.

 

[locolala]

I found it hard to get leave when I got to my duty station, which is why I recommend stuff for the barracks. Once you get to MOS school and get through the first phase, you can have cell phones and the likes, so the calling cards aren't really needed.. at least they weren't for us.