Gift Suggestions

M

mgt

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When I ask my son for gift suggestions his response is usually, " I really don't need anything, our life is simple and we are given what we need".

I recall from this forum, I believe it was last fall, a similar thread and many suggestions were made for things that they might need for sea and it included a particular knife. I can not find the thread nor did I write down what kind/type/make of knife was suggested. Any help or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
 
Spyderco C118 Saver Salt 3 knife is the type of knife we got for our mid. He also appreciates gift cards to the NEX and metro cards.
 
If they will be going to sea with the "B" splitters a small, sturdy, digital camera is a must.
 
the Olympus Stylus series of cameras are virtually indestructable and take pretty good pics.
also, i have the Spyderco Harpy knife and i've beat the living snot out of it since plebe year and it's still sharp and gets the job done. :D
 
As you can see...

While USMMA Mids all generally seem to want to be extremely self - relient, it's part of the culture and all they learn - even moreso than the average college student they all seem to generally enjoy/desire/appreciate the following:

1) A good, solid work knife - especially "deckies" - pick a good one just be mindful of the maximum legal bladesize in your state to ensure it doesn't qualify as a concealed weapon.

2) A good digital camera - an especially good gift before their first sea year.

3) Cash or Cash equivelants that are good for getting around NYC or to/from KP to Home if they have a car - i.e. Metro Cards, EZ-Pass, Cell Phone & a Plan with good/unlimited minutes in US, etc.

4) We also found that this Christmas (his third class year) he appreciated a few, not many, but a few clothes that were civvies of good quality, to his taste, and the right size for his more even more fit body than the one he had when he reported to Indoc.....

Just a few suggestions.....as they are indeed hard to buy for and don't really seem to want all that much....
 
Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and a thing which tells time; and some Oakleys so won't shot theiir eye out?
 
They also need steel-toed boots and a good flashlight. Mag or Pelican (our Mid prefers Pelican).
 
Dave'sMom said:
They also need steel-toed boots and a good flashlight. Mag or Pelican (our Mid prefers Pelican).
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Make sure the flashlight is non-spark producing (no metal basically). I'm a fan of Pelican as well.

For deckies if you can find a small flashlight that has red light capability that would be nice too for night bridge watches.
 
SpyderCo Knives

These knives may be purchased at a reduced price through the COLORADO PARENTS ORGANIZATION.

Please go to the USMMA Parents Page and at the bottom you can access the COLORADO Parents Website.

You can NOT get these cheaper ANYWHERE else and it will promote our Parents Organization.

They will help your to select the correct knife for your Deck or Engineer. You can select engravings for it also.
 
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Three or four pairs of Carhartt work pants and maybe a Carhartt work jacket would be an appropriate gift. Also, I recommend a Leatherman, SOG or Gerber multi-tool. That Spyderco knife is okay, but doesn’t have the same utility a good Leatherman has. Good luck removing that frozen shackle pin when all you have is just a knife…
I agree with kp2001 on the Pelican light.
 
MY DS just asked for good quality sunglasses. I don't have a brand to recommend yet but it is another idea.
 
You can get Oakleys relatively cheap on standardissue.com you just have to send in a copy of you Military ID.
 
Flashlight

We bought my DS a flashlight for Christmas and his friends and at least one faculty member loved it so much they have bought the same one. It is non-sparking and not too expensive.
"Explosion Proof LED Flashlight - 4 Watt - Push Button Switch - MADE IN THE USA $36.27"

available online from: WWW.MAGNALIGHT.COM

nope I don't get a kickback, drat :biggrin: but i love it when we parents can get them something they like. :thumb:
 
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doktrmom said:
We bought my DS a flashlight for Christmas and his friends and at least one faculty member loved it so much they have bought the same one. It is non-sparking and not too expensive.
"Explosion Proof LED Flashlight - 4 Watt - Push Button Switch - MADE IN THE USA $36.27"

available online from: WWW.MAGNALIGHT.COM

nope I don't get a kickback, drat :biggrin: but i love it when we parents can get them something they like. :thumb:
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Sure just blow off my suggestion... I swear my DS loved the Ferrari....I'm telling y'all you can't go wrong and with the USAA Discounts for him being out at sea right now, and the fact it's a classic, the insurance cost isn't too bad either.:yllol:
 
Loved the suggestion of a Ferrari. I just personally believe the Ferrari would be much better if stored in MY garage. :thumb:

Actually, when DS started this adventure applying to SAs and such, foolishly I said (and he remembers the conversation word for word :eek:) that I would get him a Timetrial bike. He has already been to the bike shop in Great Neck scoping out his options. Keep reminding him he will be out to sea the better part of next year and he should wait. Final price tag could rival the Ferrari!:rolleyes:
 
KP13Mom said:
Actually, when DS started this adventure applying to SAs and such, foolishly I said (and he remembers the conversation word for word :eek:) that I would get him a Timetrial bike. He has already been to the bike shop in Great Neck scoping out his options. Keep reminding him he will be out to sea the better part of next year and he should wait. Final price tag could rival the Ferrari!:rolleyes:
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haha, yeah some of the TT bikes can be a pretty penny. I was just looking at some bikes the other day dreaming.
 
I don't think my son has ever said when he opened a care package, "I really didn't need any of this." Just the thought of going to their mailboxes and seeing that slip that informs them of receiving a package lifts their spirits.

Just a box of home baked goodies and some of the favorite munchies is appreciated.

They also enjoy getting the local newspaper sent from home.

I found he also appreciated a Starbucks gift card as well as gift cards to chain restaurants.
 
We did purchase him a really good knife, pair of binoculars and carharts for at sea. On one of his voyages he went up to Alaska, he had a rabbit lined buffalo plaid bombers style hat (you know the ones with the flaps) that everyone LAUGHED at..... the laughter stopped the further north into the cold they went. You can not go wrong with any of them.
 
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