Graduation and commissioning gift ideas

Military personnel are generally not allowed to carry weapons on base, hence tragedies like Ft. Hood. I don't think that has changed since then.
 
We purchased ASUs, 3 pairs of OCPs and class ring. DS was happy that he could personalize one side of his ring and elected to have ROTC insignia. These 4 years went by so fast. Happy for him but, yes, a little bittersweet.
 
My parents gave me a naval officer's sword for graduation and commissioning. It is above my desk in a case right now, just about 30 years on.
 
Any ideas on a graduation/commissioning gift? Can't believe it's 6 weeks out! Thanks
We went for an experience. Plenty of pictures for memories.

We rented a house near the beach for a week. Grads from years prior and future were able to crash there within walking/uber distance to bars and restaurants. Paid for food and drinks at the house for the week too - they still enjoy home cooking and takeout from the local BBQ place.

It is always a small commissioning class each year and previous year graduates try to make the next few years commissioning ceremonies for cadets they mentored.
 
Since it's the official Army sidearm now, are they allowed to carry it in uniform and such?

Unless he deploys there is really no opportunities to carry a sidearm in uniform, unless they are a MP. I'm not sure they are allowed to carry a personal weapon while deployed but I could be wrong.

Make sure he checks with base he is going to ahead of time about their regulations for personal firearms and how to register them when he arrives. My son had to stop first thing at the MP's when he came on base to check his weapon and get the proper paperwork.
 
Money, a new car or what my son would want more than anything....a Sig Sauer P320, the Army's new sidearm!! https://www.ammoland.com/2017/02/sig-sauer-p320-handgun/ What Army officer wouldn't want one?
Since it's the official Army sidearm now, are they allowed to carry it in uniform and such?

To the best of my knowledge, it's just the chosen sidearm at this point. I can't imagine how long it will take the Army to actually phase out the Beretta and issue P320's to those authorized to carry them. Also, until something officially changes from the Obama regime, soldiers aren't authorized to carry firearms on base (there are obvious exceptions) whether they are in uniform or not. Once again, there have been rumblings that the Trump Train is going to change that in some manner. We'll see...

With the way the Army conducts their firearms training and qualifications, I highly recommend that anybody with the financial means (and desire) go out and purchase the civilian version of the P320 to become competent with they firearm. While I'm sure there are some units that get plenty of training, other units get left out in the cold. My daughter is an Army Nurse and NEVER ONCE in ROTC, LDAC or BOLC was trained with the current Beretta pistol. She never so much as held one win her hand. Fast forward to year (2) of her Army career and she gets called in to qualify with the Beretta. They expected her to be able to complete a timed magazine change and qualify from 25 yards the 1st day she ever held the Beretta.... completely and utterly stupid. When she asked about practice time with a trainer before her next qualification, she was told the range doesn't have the staffing or money for extra ammo to due that. CRAZY!!! Luckily, I can't imagine a situation where she as a Nurse is going to have to get in a firefight anytime soon.
 
Any ideas on a graduation/commissioning gift? Can't believe it's 6 weeks out! Thanks
We went for an experience. Plenty of pictures for memories.

We rented a house near the beach for a week. Grads from years prior and future were able to crash there within walking/uber distance to bars and restaurants. Paid for food and drinks at the house for the week too - they still enjoy home cooking and takeout from the local BBQ place.

It is always a small commissioning class each year and previous year graduates try to make the next few years commissioning ceremonies for cadets they mentored.
This is a terrific idea. We couldn't do it at the end of the year (due to quick BOLC dates etc) but wish we could have. Instead, we let DS and his best buddies from ROTC have our timeshare at WDW for their spring break week. Their choice whether to do parks, hang by pool, etc. They've been such support for each other the last 4 years; hoping the memories they made will continue to make them smile.
 
There are some really good ideas on this thread...I liked the class ring (already got that during Jr year) and I did offer to help with uniforms. But here's what I finally did....for graduation I did find a great deal on a new laptop (searched for months)....but for commissioning I wanted to keep it simple but meaningful....I ordered him a really nice crucifix for his wall. I don't think you need to be overly religious, but I think that the crucifix serves as a reminder of Jesus's sacrifices made for us; but likewise the sacrifices that our service members make for our country...and I feel better that he can take it with him and hang it wherever he lives so that I know God is watching over him.
 
Even though mine is a MS1 about to be rising MS2 I ordered a Morgan Silver Dollar from his Great Great Grandfather's birth year which was 100 years before his birth year. (Sadly he died 7 months before DS was born so the photo we had planned of them together did not happen.) The coin is for the prior or current enlisted person the new officer selected to give him/her the first salute during commissioning ceremony. Is usually a family member or an instructor the cadet sees as a mentor.

As far as commissioning gift buying him the ASU, Whatever is the current duty uniform when he graduates, New good quality boots, and saber.

I also got him a subscription to a subscription box that has uniform items, equipment and tools used by military and first responders all over the world. it does not have a knife every month like an other box but everything is tactical gear not like the others that have random stuff you can get anywhere. Coming from Florida a couple boxes have been super cool one month was Winter gear with these over pants and a hooded poncho that is white with areas of dark that look like pieces of sticks or dirt is used by Russian Army along with some other winter gear we would never have thought of as needed. The mountaineering box has great gear for situations where would be rappelling / climbing mountain/rocky terrain. I am 'saving the monthly boxes to give as his Christmas gift.
 
Last edited:
What does ASU stand for?
Army Service Uniform it is what we used to call dress blues because Jacket is dark blue and pants are a lighter blue; it was the 2nd fanciest uniform. When we still had Class As which were Greens. Now the Class As are gone and Dress blues are the non tactical nice uniform. There are also Dress Mess which is Black waist coat and blue pants with gold on sides. If your cadet was going to be stationed in DC or an embassy situation where they would go to very black Tie events Dress Mess is a good package to get. But for most it would never be worn maybe to Dining Out but it would be a bit pompus for that if it is a unit that others would not wear dress Mess.
 
What does ASU stand for?

For your DS, who I believe is in NROTC, it would be likely the equivalent of "Service Dress Blues"

ASU
images


Navy Dress Blues.
220px-thumbnail.jpg
 
Army Service Uniform it is what we used to call dress blues because Jacket is dark blue and pants are a lighter blue; it was the 2nd fanciest uniform. When we still had Class As which were Greens. Now the Class As are gone and Dress blues are the non tactical nice uniform. There are also Dress Mess which is Black waist coat and blue pants with gold on sides. If your cadet was going to be stationed in DC or an embassy situation where they would go to very black Tie events Dress Mess is a good package to get. But for most it would never be worn maybe to Dining Out but it would be a bit pompus for that if it is a unit that others would not wear dress Mess.

For your DS, who I believe is in NROTC, it would be likely the equivalent of "Service Dress Blues"

Thanks KeyzCat and AROTC-dad. BTW, DS is still waiting to find out about NROTC scholarship.
 
Well financed the ASU package but I also decided to get a "man" keepsake/jewelry box (wood) made for him for watches, those gold bars and that sort of stuff. So he has everything in one spot when he drives down to Ft Benning end of next month.
 
Back
Top