Luggage/grad gift for plebes-to-be

[williamsdr3]

Considering a piece or two of luggage for graduation gift for plebe-to-be. I see on the Budget Book document that plebes will be issued a backpack (school bag I assume), a rolling carry-on, and a USNA #1 2-suiter bag. Will this be the sum total of luggage they get while at USNA?

My son plans to arrive at I-day (June 30th!) with a ziploc bag or his current school backpack at most. Considering gifting him a gray/navy duffle bag which can worn as a backpack if needed and one mid to full size rolling suitcase both of which we will bring/ship to him later.

Will they need it while midshipmen? Are there any color/style restrictions for luggage while in uniform plebe year? I am trying to figure out with the huge pile of uniforms and gear they are issued how is he going to transport it in May to a storage unit in Annapolis or wherever when moving out for the summer and also what type of luggage he would need to go on summer training, come home, etc. Not sure if a rolling carry-on and/or #1 2-suiter bag issued would be enough.

 

[Wagmore]

My son and his mid-friends seem to use their seabags for everything. A gift of luggage would have been a waste of money for my mid.

 

[Wickets]

I just moved my "Plebe No More" DD out of Bancroft this past saturday. She had one Navy issued carry on suitcase. She also had 3 super large white canvas laundry seabags stuffed to the brim with clothes, plus an additional pile of uniforms on hangers which piled at least 2 feet high. She had a plastic bin with snacks/food, a few boxes of books and desk items, a printer and monitor etc... I don't think she would have had any space to store suitcases in her room. I agree with the above post. No use for large luggage. Everything goes in seabags.

 

[NavyHoops]

Honestly I would hold off on the luggage until he graduates USNA. What they issue works fine and sea bags work for ships. Bring his back pack to I Day with needed items and call it a day.

 

[Wickets]

For High School Graduation I gifted my DD a Casio G Shock Watch (Not expensive but rugged). Check out amazon for many choices/styles in men's. For women I recommend the Baby-G but there are few choices in black.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Agree with Hoops. They issued us luggage during Plebe Summer, and a B-4 bag in Flight School. I never had "real" luggage until I left the Navy!

 

[williamsdr3]

I just moved my "Plebe No More" DD out of Bancroft this past saturday. She had one Navy issued carry on suitcase. She also had 3 super large white canvas laundry seabags stuffed to the brim with clothes, plus an additional pile of uniforms on hangers which piled at least 2 feet high. She had a plastic bin with snacks/food, a few boxes of books and desk items, a printer and monitor etc... I don't think she would have had any space to store suitcases in her room. I agree with the above post. No use for large luggage. Everything goes in seabags.

thanks for info. I don't know what seabags are or that they are issued them. Are these like big white drawstring laundry bags I used to have in college? Also, where did you put all this stuff for the summer?

 

[wernerbro]

Seabags are a giant duffel bag with backpack style straps, just google "seabag navy" and you'll see what I mean. Find a spot in their room, garage, basement, whatever works.

 

[williamsdr3]

Seabags are a giant duffel bag with backpack style straps, just google "seabag navy" and you'll see what I mean. Find a spot in their room, garage, basement, whatever works.

Thanks for the seabag info. I found it on the web.

I mean do you recommend getting a storage space in Annapolis or flying home with lots of extra luggage or is there another option I am missing? Too far for us to drive.

 

[Capt MJ]

Thanks for the seabag info. I found it on the web.

I mean do you recommend getting a storage space in Annapolis or flying home with lots of extra luggage or is there another option I am missing? Too far for us to drive.

The plebes figure this out and will get gouged up by the upperclass. There are some storage lockers in Bancroft Hall. Many mids go in together on a unit out in town, hitch a ride with sponsors or upper class or Uber, are in and out of it over the summer. Some sponsors may allow storage. We used to, but stopped after wet laundry bags were stowed in Rubbermaid totes , boxes and bags weren’t labeled and retrieved, etc. They will figure it out. It’s their stuff, let them work it out.

I often take mids to BWI with a bulging sea bag on their back, a backpack worn in the front, and that’s it. By rolling and using other hallowed techniques, you can get an enormous amount in a sea bag.

Let them choose luggage pieces as a gift after the SA.

 

[usna1985]

It's REALLY hard to find something useful to give a plebe other than money and gift cards. For those who don't want to go that route and if the plebe has a watch (or already has 10 of them), consider stuff that can be used while on leave (i.e., at home) -- an article of clothing such as nice chinos, a navy blue blazer, casual dress shirts, etc. One thing that we recently gave to a male mid (not a plebe) is a civilian suit. Yep, he wanted one. Wanted to have something nice to wear on occasions when he might not want to wear his uniform. Another option is a nice dress watch -- one he/she wants to wear for special occasions (e.g., weddings).

A final option is to think longer term. One day, the mid will graduate and have his/her own apartment. Even graduating from h.s., I received Navy-related stuff for my future home, such as a framed picture with sailboat etching cutouts, books about "the sea," stuff with anchors, a nautical clock. It sounds weird, but I know a lot of thought went into those gifts and I still have most of them nearly 4 decades later. And I remember who gave them to me, which is rarely the case with cash!

 

[justdoit19]

Plus all to what @Capt MJ said. Let them figure it out. This is literally the easiest “college” there is, as far as parents go. Little jimmy/julie heads to “school” with a calculator, phone and charger in a ziplock with their name, and their paperwork. All in a sling bag.

They don’t need anything else. Luggage for certain. As they use their sea bags/suitcase they are issued.

It is hard to ‘get’, but parents do nothing. Even move out over the summer. Just like CAPT MJ said, upper class become their advisors, go-to people.

My Mid also wouldn’t use luggage. And the sea bags are a cool addition to your floor when they return home!

 

[sneva001]

My "Plebe no More" DS only asked for three things that were not issued to him...

1. A pair of Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses (apparently this is the only style that can be worn while in uniform).
2. A black watch that was not "too large", again they are limited to what is allowed to be worn with the uniform.
3. Gift cards for any food delivery service. DS thoroughly appreciated being able to get food that was not from King Hall.

As previously stated, luggage is issued to all Mids. DS brought his home for Thanksgiving and left it because it took up too much precious space in his room.

I personally deferred getting my DS a graduation gift until he was at USNA and was able to figure out what he wanted/needed. Hope this helps!

 

[NavyHoops]

Spend money on good running shoes, sunglasses and a watch they will beat up. If you really want to get them something else gift cards and money. For ladies, there are certain earrings they can wear in uniform. It’s best to buy them at the mid store as they are exactly in regs and no tax. Let them buy them when the ac year starts. If they will be flying home for breaks, gift cards for airlines can work too. I know many want to give them grad gifts, they just don’t need it. Someone above suggested a nice suit or sport coat. Concur they will eventually need one. If your DS is still 130 lbs, wait. Next summer when home get them one. The second half of their time at USNA, every Mid will need at least one nice dress out fit. Hopefully by then they have gained the 20 lbs in the weight room and finished growing. Agree with above again on a nice watch. Eventually they will get real clothes again and have dress occasions, a nice watch is a nice touch for those occasions.

 

[Hopeful_Dad]

We got our P2B a gold chain and crucifix to wear under his uniform. Looks like they are allowed after reviewing the PTR (we think); hopefully it will help him thru the inevitable tough times. Please chime in if they are not allowed.

 

[NavyHoops]

They are allowed after Plebe Summer. Their working uniforms and summer whites they wear v neck t shirts and open collars. So it has to be a long chain to not be visible. Many Mids where religious symbols on chains.

 

[boatsfordays]

For High School Graduation I gifted my DD a Casio G Shock Watch (Not expensive but rugged). Check out amazon for many choices/styles in men's. For women I recommend the Baby-G but there are few choices in black.

100% Agree... the G shocks are fantastic. My mids has made it through 2 years... My mid received a really nice suitcase for graduation from a family member. It's still in his closet and has only been used when borrowed by midsib.

 

[Heatherg21]

We are holding off on our P2B in terms of gift. We had a nice graduation party, that will suffice for now. We did get him a dress watch and a sport style watch recommended by @THParent for his birthday. He loves both and has worn them daily since March 11. Not pricey and he loves them, will meet regs for the academic year. Not buying clothes now, he will likely not be the same size come Christmas or his 3c year. He does love subway, so likely will send him some gift cards, some tide bleach pens, protein bars and other snack items when time is right.

We are storing his car, feeding his dogs and taking over his chores for the rest of our lives so I kind of think he owes us!

 

[Skipper07]

1. A pair of Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses (apparently this is the only style that can be worn while in uniform).

While your DS may have pulled a sneaky on you (aviators are not the only sunglasses allowed in uniform), many mids do have a pair. They're cool.

I'd echo the recommendation of a G-shock. Also consider some sort of smart/fitness watch. Many plebes become fitness freaks and watches make that easy. Fitbit versa, apple watch, and some of the garmins are all great. This may be a better gift for your plebe to pick out over thanksgiving leave when they have a better idea of what they would want.

 

[Skipper07]

We are holding off on our P2B in terms of gift. We had a nice graduation party, that will suffice for now. We did get him a dress watch and a sport style watch recommended by @THParent for his birthday. He loves both and has worn them daily since March 11. Not pricey and he loves them, will meet regs for the academic year. Not buying clothes now, he will likely not be the same size come Christmas or his 3c year. He does love subway, so likely will send him some gift cards, some tide bleach pens, protein bars and other snack items when time is right.

We are storing his car, feeding his dogs and taking over his chores for the rest of our lives so I kind of think he owes us!

If your son likes subs I would recommend making him a surprise account at The Big Cheese. It is a couple hundred yards from the gate 1 pedestrian entrance. It is overpriced but SO good.