Ideas for graduation gift for niece from Army specialized training?

[Worfiedoodles]

You guys have helped me tremendously in the past as my niece is making her way through the Army -- first with ideas for while she was in Basic training (stationery -- a big hit!), then graduation from Basic -- gift cards she could use at her new Base! and now she has completed her Combat Medic training, and I want to send her something. Her immediate family is travelling to see her graduate, and then she's flying home with them for 4 days. I want to have a box delivered while she's at home. My other niece is getting an I-tunes gift card in the box, but she's only 12. My oldest niece is supposed to be in Texas for 3 years, but my BIL says she will probably actually be assigned to a unit that rotates in, and then go with them wherever they end up, but who knows when? (I would love any insight anyone has on how this works, too -- my Dad was in the Army in 1958, and while he has stories, I don't think many of them are relevant to Jessica's experience )

So, any thoughts on a good gift? Another gift card? I gave her a Vera Bradley bag for Christmas, and she was ecstatic. I'd like to repeat that result!

TIA!
Maria

 

[jsmith]

Well think what he means about the unit that rotates-if she is going to be assigned to ft hood or ft bliss-she will be in an infantry , armor or cav unit and will deploy with them when they deploy-so she may see afghanistan, iraq, or other parts of the world depending on the mission. Those deployments last about a year and then they return to base.
As for a gift-any personal gift you would give her is appropriate-she will no longer be living under the restrictions she has been and while she may be living in the barracks she will be be free to come and go at will. I suggest girly things simply because the army can be rather de feminizing.

 

[mom_2_K'Lynn]

I'm not sure if it will be the same as when my brother was in Fort Hood, but he went there right after his AIT and right away they started training him for going to Iraq. I can't remember exactly how long he was there before being depolyed, but I do remember him telling me that if you are sent to Fort Hood right after training, it usually means you will be getting deployed after some more training. With that said, he is now currently in Afghanistan and I do know that he had to buy a lot of specialized equipment out of his own money and when I asked him what he wanted, he told me just money to help buy those things.

I will say though that anything he recieved from home was a great gift. As the previous poster said, she will now get to live with no restrictions so anything you send will be appreciated!!

P.S. Tell her thanks for everything she is doing!! It takes a very strong person to do what she is doing!!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Thanks for the replies -- so it sounds like maybe a combination gift of cash and something girly? She is a very girly girl -- long blonde hair and loves pink -- but she's also one tough cookie -- made all the men's fitness standards in Basic training, and qualified as a sharpshooter!

Maria