Gift ideas?

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SpchGrl

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Nov 16, 2018
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Hello! I joined the service academy forums back when my son was applying to the Naval Academy. He was ultimately turned down and has spent the last 2 years in the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech. He has absolutely loved his experience there, despite all the "alterations" from COVID.

This post isn't about him though! Our county has a FB page where people can "adopt" graduating HS seniors. Basically, we make a care package for them. I've adopted a girl who enlisted in the Army and heads to basic training right after graduation. I don't know her personally but do have a list of her favorite things.

I thought this group could be a good source of information for a thoughtful Army-ish thing or 2 to include. I realized after I adopted her that her initial experience will be very different from my son's, which is really my only basis of knowledge.

Any input is appreciated ... thank you!
 
Army Air Force Exchange gift card (AAFES)?
Make sure to get the actual gift card and not an e-card, in case the latter is only good to buy things online.
Where she's based, are there local vendors that people recommend?
Does it have to be Army-ish, or something specifically NOT military and girl-ish? Bath & Body Work's semi-annual sale is in June/early Dec where you can get things for 75% off plus use any coupons. If you bank your Discover cash back bonuses, you can get a gift card to B&BW and earn the spread there, too.
 
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+1 to the Ka-Bar. I have a buddy (former Army) that got my DS one for his appointment to USAFA c/o 25. Even had it engraved with his name and class. Too cool (at I think so since I'm the one who gets to Ka-Bar sit for the next 4 years).
 
During WWII, only two companies made the mark 2 USMC fighting knife. They were Camillus and United/Union Cutlery, with Camillus getting the bulk of the contracts. When "Kabar" was formed, they made a "nicer version" with a leather-wrapped handle. The "Kabar" name was bought later by CutCo (the folks who make good-quality but really expensive stuff that kids try to sell door-to-door). After WWII, Ontario Knife Company (OKC) got the bulk of the contracts and basically took over production of all the military-issued fighting knives, while Kabar marketed the "commemorative" look-alike to the civilian population. It's true!

Chances are that if you served from the end of WWII to today, you were issued the OKC 498 (colloquially known as the "Ka-Bar", but not made by the company "Kabar"). Coincidentally, mine has no marking on it whatsoever.

OKC also makes the 3S bayonet (they are still the exclusive supplier) for the Marine Corps. It is an exceptionally good piece of steel, as well.
It slips over the flash hider on the end of the M4/M16 barrel and locks into the bayonet lug under the A2 gas block/front sight.

It fits more secure (I think) than the UF&H 10" M1 Bayonet I have on my M-1 Garand.
 
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