AROTC Cadet Gift Ideas

h2ocop

5-Year Member
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Jun 16, 2010
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Looking for Christmas gift ideas for my AROTC MS1 DS. Lots of Army stuff on the internet but I would like to buy a thing or 2 thats useful to him and also don't want to duplucate anything that has or will be issued to him. Appreciate any ady ideas.
 
A few items that we have purchased over the last 3 years for our AROTC cadet:
to match, wear with ACUs
digital camo backpack
digital camo camelback
digital camo velcro and sew-on nametape
great pair of sunglasses
undershirt, socks to wear under ACUs
cold weather gloves

He's in cold country, so we have thrown in heat packs-for pockets in his stocking.

Here's a good site to get ideas: http://www.acuarmy.com/acu-uniform-apparel-shop-c-5229.html

But I have purchased at many other sites as well.
 
Looking for Christmas gift ideas for my AROTC MS1 DS. Lots of Army stuff on the internet but I would like to buy a thing or 2 thats useful to him and also don't want to duplucate anything that has or will be issued to him. Appreciate any ady ideas.

Ok, I'll lay down a few things I've used in my time...

1. PALights Survival light (black case) with the Red light option. They are perfect for map reading and various other field problem uses (stumbling around a dark tent, etc.) I've had great luck with them, both the red and green (green is for NVG use).

2. A quality knife. There are as many good knives as Carter's little liver pills, but I prefer a small Ka-Bar or a folding Benchmade. Don't overdo it, especially since it'll be on a campus (review the rules for blade length). The Ka-Bar short tactical has been strapped to my kit for years.

3. A quality compass. The Army lensatic compass isn't so hot. Silva makes a good one.

4. Garmin Foretrex 301. Nothing is worse than being lost.

5. Rocky S2V boots. Pound for pound, they're the best boot IMHO. They sell out on post all the time for a reason. They are a big ticket item, though, and not exactly "sexy" as a Christmas present.

6. Luminox Navy Seal Original 3000 Series watch. I have yet to find a more durable or useful watch.

7. Quality riggers belt. This one is similar to the one we're issued now, but VTAC makes a good one as well.

8. Some fresh ACU name tapes and US ARMY tapes. They get ratty in the wash.

9. A few good, quality carabiners

10. Flight crew checklist book. Regular joes have stolen this from aviation because you can slide any page you want in the sheet-holders and it makes it a durable, flexible book for all sorts of environments.

A few good books I would recommend for stocking stuffers...

The Defence of Duffer's Drift
Crusade by Rick Atkinson
Chickenhawk by Robert Mason
Blue's Bastards by Oliver North
If You Survive by George Wilson


Hope that helps.
 
Great list!! Does anyone know anything about the Nike Boots? My son has asked for those for xmas.
 
Great list!! Does anyone know anything about the Nike Boots? My son has asked for those for xmas.

My son likes his. He said he's glad he has them because they are good to run in. Only downside is they have less support, so it's easier to roll an ankle.

Another gift idea is a boot dryer. Especially for SMP cadets. Soak the boots at ROTC on Thursday right before a drill weekend, and they are scrambling to get them dry.
 
Loves the Nikes

Great list!! Does anyone know anything about the Nike Boots? My son has asked for those for xmas.

Although others cautioned they are not as sturdy as some brands DS loves his Nikes: especially the lower heel compared to those issued to him. DS does not like lots of arch support so they work for him in that respect as well. He thinks they are the most comfortable shoes and wishes he could wear them every day.
 
Ok, I'll lay down a few things I've used in my time...

1. PALights Survival light (black case) with the Red light option. They are perfect for map reading and various other field problem uses (stumbling around a dark tent, etc.) I've had great luck with them, both the red and green (green is for NVG use).

2. A quality knife. There are as many good knives as Carter's little liver pills, but I prefer a small Ka-Bar or a folding Benchmade. Don't overdo it, especially since it'll be on a campus (review the rules for blade length). The Ka-Bar short tactical has been strapped to my kit for years.

3. A quality compass. The Army lensatic compass isn't so hot. Silva makes a good one.

4. Garmin Foretrex 301. Nothing is worse than being lost.

5. Rocky S2V boots. Pound for pound, they're the best boot IMHO. They sell out on post all the time for a reason. They are a big ticket item, though, and not exactly "sexy" as a Christmas present.

6. Luminox Navy Seal Original 3000 Series watch. I have yet to find a more durable or useful watch.

7. Quality riggers belt. This one is similar to the one we're issued now, but VTAC makes a good one as well.

8. Some fresh ACU name tapes and US ARMY tapes. They get ratty in the wash.

9. A few good, quality carabiners

10. Flight crew checklist book. Regular joes have stolen this from aviation because you can slide any page you want in the sheet-holders and it makes it a durable, flexible book for all sorts of environments.

A few good books I would recommend for stocking stuffers...

The Defence of Duffer's Drift
Crusade by Rick Atkinson
Chickenhawk by Robert Mason
Blue's Bastards by Oliver North
If You Survive by George Wilson


Hope that helps.

I very much approve this message, quick suggestion though, instead of buying Duffer's Drift, pick up the cadet in your life a copy of The Defense of Jisr Al-Dorea. It's written as a sort of Duffer's Drift on the Tigris, and contains a copy of Swinton's classic as well. It's an excellent read, and very cheap, only $8 on Amazon.
 
Rucksacks/Backpacks

Could anyone recommend the best backpack/rucksack for an AROTC cadet? There are so many out there to choose from...I was looking at the US CAV and Ranger Joe websites and I don't know where to start. My DS is a MSI in Aviation. I know he has mentioned the idea of a rucksack for Christmas, but I am thoroughly confused.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Scoutpilot, I am assuming you are aviation as well...any suggestions.
 
Could anyone recommend the best backpack/rucksack for an AROTC cadet? There are so many out there to choose from...I was looking at the US CAV and Ranger Joe websites and I don't know where to start. My DS is a MSI in Aviation. I know he has mentioned the idea of a rucksack for Christmas, but I am thoroughly confused.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Scoutpilot, I am assuming you are aviation as well...any suggestions.

I'm not sure what you mean....he's an MSI in Aviation?

If he's looking for something to use in uniform, Camelbak has many good options. The BFM model is nice. I recommend foliage green. If he's looking for something to use for civilian fun stuff, I prefer Kelty.

Both can fit nicely in an avionics compartment.
 
Thank you Scoutpilot. My DS is an MSI at UND majoring in Aviation (to clarify) - Helicopters if the HFTP comes back, otherwise Fixed Wing with Rotary Wing add-on.
 
Thank you Scoutpilot. My DS is an MSI at UND majoring in Aviation (to clarify) - Helicopters if the HFTP comes back, otherwise Fixed Wing with Rotary Wing add-on.

If you want other good aviation gift ideas, let me know!
 
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