Ideas for gift for niece entering the Army?

[Worfiedoodles]

My niece (almost 20) will be entering the Army soon -- after not doing what she needed to do her senior year to attend college almost free, and blowing all the money she received for graduation, two years later she has decided she wants to be a nurse, and the Army will provide the mechanism.

We gave her $300 when she graduated high school, so I sort of feel like we've given her her "launch into the world gift" (that was a big gift for us). Her parents are throwing her a going away party, they are so thrilled she is finally doing something with her life. She has been working full time in a daycare, so she's not lazy, just "undirected".

I think we will attend the party, since we will probably plan our summer vacation around the date (they live in Tampa, we're in Boston). I don't have any idea what might be a useful item for someone entering the Armed Forces, or what an appropriate amount to spend would be? We only have 3 nieces, so it's not like we plan to never get her anything ever again...her sister is graduating this year, so she will also get an equal monetary gift to what we gave her older sister.

Other than birthdays and Christmas, I'm sure our next big expenditure for her would probably be a wedding...but I suspect that might be far off in the future. Anyway, looking for suggestions for what to get her and how much to spend!

TIA!
Maria

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

As a military spouse I would say items like phone cards, pre-paid cell phone minutes(if she has that type of phone, items like laundry det., dryer sheets, etc. Once she is out of basic training and reports to her first duty station, she could have snacks and other goodies mailed to her. I'm not for sure if they allow this during basic training. My hubby has been in the air force for 26 years, so it has been awhile. Good luck!

 

[prncess674]

I would send a series of care packages over the coming year verses giving her one big gift. I don't think you need to bring a gift other than a small gift card for maybe Target or Wal-Mart.

 

[budbeerlady]

We have 2 family members joining up this spring. One in a similar situation, 1 year of college left and the other graduating high school and using this for college money. We are going with the Target gift cards, more for the high school grad since we already gave for the college student 3 years ago. Then they can buy what they need.

 

[Ephany]

If Army boot camp is like Navy boot camp, she won't have much extra room for anything. Space is tight and if for any reason you have to move barracks, you have to fit it in whatever you can and haul it on your back (my division moved barracks 3 times during boot camp for some crazy reason). Honestly what I loved best was mail, even a post card was awesome. Candy/cookies (nothing that melts in the mail), maybe toiletries but she'll be able to get the necessary stuff on post. I'd save any 'big' gifts for when she's at her first duty station, after she gets settled. She'll have a better idea of what she needs and what she has room for.

 

[pat fan]

I agree with waiting until she graduates and doing something then.

Not sure if this is 100% accurate, but I think that the dress uniforms have to be bought out of pocket, so maybe $$ towards that? I just think all the military's dress uni's are so awesome looking! I'm sad my dad can't wear his anymore. Something about a new order that unless you are active duty you can't wear them? Oh well.....

 

[Piglet4Ever]

I don't know how much Basic has changed in the last few yrs but I wouldn't send anything but letters to her in boot camp unless she says otherwise. My DH has been in the Navy for 17 yrs so boot camp was alot different back then. My DB went through Navy basic about 6 yrs ago and one of his friends mothers sent him a hug box filled with candy and goodies. My brother recieved alot of flack for that from his Drill Sargent and really wishes that box hadn't been sent.

 

[pearlieq]

My DB went through Navy basic about 6 yrs ago and one of his friends mothers sent him a hug box filled with candy and goodies. My brother recieved alot of flack for that from his Drill Sargent and really wishes that box hadn't been sent.

We were told the same thing a couple of years ago when my cousin went to basic training.

He said the goal during that experience was to stick out as little as possible. If they didn't notice you, you didn't get any hassles.

So, maybe send her off with a phone card and a promise to write. And then keep your word--letters and postcards are great.

 

[Butta]

A pre-paid phone card.

A gift to Wal-Mart or Target. I know they have to bring certain items with them for boot camp and it's not stuff one would probably have.

 

[englishteacha]

I agree that a promise of mail is an excellent present. My mom wrote to me almost every week when I went to college, and she did write every week when I was abroad for a semester. Those letters were a lifeline to home, and everyone loves mail. Email is fine, but there's something special about seeing a loved one's handwriting. When my friend was stationed in Iraq his wife wrote him every day, and the guys in his unit were jealous because he had something from home every single day. Some of the guys never, ever got mail, so she even sent the occasional postcard to them, too!

 

[Angel16]

I agree with a card and note inside let her know you will write and send postcards while she is in basic. They don't "need" anything at that time but rest and support from home. After she gets stationed I would suggest a small gift card from Amazon. She can get almost anything from there mailed right to her. I have used Amazon gift cards for my DSIL numerous times. It is his favorite gift while in the military.



Angel16

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Thank you to everyone for the great suggestions so far! I am happy to mail her and send her postcards, and I like the idea of waitng until she knows what she needs -- and letting her get it with a gift card.

I am learning alot -- thank you for sharing the benefit of your experiences!

Maria

 

[Ephany]

Not sure if this is 100% accurate, but I think that the dress uniforms have to be bought out of pocket, so maybe $$ towards that? I just think all the military's dress uni's are so awesome looking! I'm sad my dad can't wear his anymore. Something about a new order that unless you are active duty you can't wear them? Oh well.....

My uniforms and such were taken directly from my first couple of paychecks. I have a vague recollection of a smart card that had money on it; I don't remember actually handling any money while I was there. Of course this was 10+ years ago, things have probably changed.

Oh, another idea, maybe send her some pre-stamped envelopes? That way if she wants to write a letter she doesn't have to worry about digging around for a book of stamps.

 

[dtr_angel]

I was 18 when I joined the Air Force, and got a lot of nice things as gifts for my going away party. A few people/family members gave me money, but it's really not necessary. What was the most helpful was phone cards, I got a ton and used them all, and stamps... I also got a few books (military/inspirational) a bible, pictures, cards... the support & encouragement is the most valuable. My family and friends and church sent me letters, cards, pictures and it was priceless. The best thing you can do it support her. My aunts also made me a cute little bag that had pens, stationary, etc. in it that I still have and reminds me of them and their support.

Not everyone knows what they want to do when they are 19/20. I was a really good student in high school, went straight to college and ended up dropping all my classes my first semester and wasted my parents money... then I spent the next year working full time, not knowing what I wanted to do. Joining the military was the best thing that ever happened to me, and going to college and realizing it wasn't for me (at the time) led me there. When I got out, I still didn't know what I wanted to do, but eventually got there. I'm not 25, married, and in nursing school and you know what - I wouldn't do anything differently even knowing what I know now (and yes, my mother tried really hard to get me to go to nursing school straight out of high school). I wouldn't say people like me and your niece are misguided, we just take the scenic route. I wish her the best of luck!

 

[Tiana]

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[shuteye]

My oldest son is in boot camp right now. The best thing is to give phone cards and stamps!

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I have to just continue in what everyone else is saying in phone card and stamps. I did have to buy underwear and bras before I left for basic training but that was air force not sure how army handles that

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

My nephew graduated from Army basic training in November. The one thing he really stressed NOT to send was any food product....cookies, candy, etc. They gave them their cell phones on Sunday afternoons after the first few weeks, so phone cards weren't needed. We gave him lots of stamps and a good notepad for writing letters. We also gave him a LLbean toiletry bag with his initials on it. I'm not sure if he was able to use it or not (never asked) but my husband said that his Mom gave him a nice one when he left for bootcamp and he still uses the same one.

 

[dtr_angel]

I have to just continue in what everyone else is saying in phone card and stamps. I did have to buy underwear and bras before I left for basic training but that was air force not sure how army handles that

I bought those before I went too (plain white) but for most things, we had to rebuy them once we got there because they wanted us all to have the same things, same for toothbrush holders, soap, etc.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I was 18 when I joined the Air Force, and got a lot of nice things as gifts for my going away party. A few people/family members gave me money, but it's really not necessary. What was the most helpful was phone cards, I got a ton and used them all, and stamps... I also got a few books (military/inspirational) a bible, pictures, cards... the support & encouragement is the most valuable. My family and friends and church sent me letters, cards, pictures and it was priceless. The best thing you can do it support her. My aunts also made me a cute little bag that had pens, stationary, etc. in it that I still have and reminds me of them and their support.

Not everyone knows what they want to do when they are 19/20. I was a really good student in high school, went straight to college and ended up dropping all my classes my first semester and wasted my parents money... then I spent the next year working full time, not knowing what I wanted to do. Joining the military was the best thing that ever happened to me, and going to college and realizing it wasn't for me (at the time) led me there. When I got out, I still didn't know what I wanted to do, but eventually got there. I'm not 25, married, and in nursing school and you know what - I wouldn't do anything differently even knowing what I know now (and yes, my mother tried really hard to get me to go to nursing school straight out of high school). I wouldn't say people like me and your niece are misguided, we just take the scenic route. I wish her the best of luck!

Thank you for your good wishes for her! I would not characterize her (or you!) as "misguided", but rather "undirected" -- she hasn't done anything wrong, in her case she just hasn't done much of anything. We've been through the ups and downs of this with her parents, and watched their dreams for her slowly fade as she just didn't seem to take to anything. We are all very happy she now seems to have some direction, and a path for her future. It's scary to have a child that just doesn't seem to be moving forward

Anyway, I have a question for everyone about the advice for stamps and stationary -- will she not have access to a computer? or her cell phone? Right now she texts and e-mails -- I think the only things she writes are thank you notes!

I would love to get her some nice stationary and a roll of stamps, and put it together in a nice case, I just want to make sure it will be useful. And I will definitely be writing her -- I know how hard it is to go away, and I'm sure she will be homesick at first.

Thanks!
Maria