When you send a family member, friend, or loved one off to Basic Training, and you yourself have never served before, it’s a little difficult to really understand what they are going to experience.
But whether or not you are able to relate to them, you know one thing for sure: they will come back changed, having truly accomplished something amazing in their life.
You want to get them a gift to celebrate this accomplishment, but it can be very difficult to think of something creative and thoughtful that is also appropriate for the occasion and for their life ahead.
That’s where we come in. We’ve circled up 15 great ideas to get you started thinking of a Basic Training graduation gift that will be perfect for your loved one!
1- Challenge Coin
If you’re not familiar, a Challenge Coin is a coin with a unique symbol or motto that signifies an accomplishment or group. They are carried by the US Armed Forces and usually symbolize the brotherhood and identity of their unit.
Challenge Coins can now be personalized, and getting your graduate one to commemorate his graduation from Basic Training would be a very meaningful and thoughtful gift. Your graduate would be proud to carry it.
2- Custom Watch
You can rest assured that your Basic Training graduate now knows how to be on time. And since this will continue on into his or her military career, giving them the gift of a custom watch is a great (and practical) idea.
You could go for a pocket watch, which would be a more keepsake type of watch or a “regular” watch, but one that is customized with the date of their graduation.
A very functional watch complete with technology and fitness tracking capabilities would be very ideal for the likes of a military recruit. A watch that is comfortable and optimized for the athletic performance of their everyday duties.
No matter which way you go, a watch would be good for any personality or branch of the armed forces.
3- FOOD!
Finally finished with Basic Training, it is likely that your loved one has missed out on some of their favorite foods while they were away.
You can give them the gift of food in many ways. You could give them gift cards to their favorite restaurants. You could make a large gift basket full of their favorite snacks. You could even surprise them with a home-cooked meal.
Any way you slice it, (pun intended) your graduate will be happy to indulge in non-cafeteria food of all kinds.
4- Pocket Knife
Basic Training graduation is a big deal and a huge achievement for graduates. To etch this tremendous day in history for those that have completed boot camp, What better way to do so than to get them a pocket knife with the date of their graduation on it. Graduates can enjoy a pocket knife’s universal and multi-tool attributes, perfect for any occasion, especially for those in the military.
5- Personalized Coffee Mug
Now accustomed to early mornings, it’s quite possible your graduate runs on coffee. Why not get them the gift of a personalized coffee mug? You could have their branch of the military printed on it.
Travel coffee mugs and insulated mugs can also be personalized and turn your gift from ordinary to thoughtful with a custom image or text.
6- Sunglasses
Whether they are out on active duty or back at the base, recruits will need a great pair of sunglasses to help them shield out the sun without making it more difficult to see things around them.
A go-to pair of sunglasses make a great practical gift for your basic training graduate and they will be really appreciated considering how important it is to protect your eyes in the military.
7- A Personalized Gym Bag
Whatever their branch or area of expertise, chances are your graduate will have exercise as a part of their regular routine.
Consider giving them a gym bag for all their gear. You could even get their bag personalized with their name or a symbol such as the American flag or their branch of the armed forces.
8- A Ka-Bar
Ka-Bar, while not a knife itself, is the name of a knife manufacturer. It’s most famous knife is a combat knife adopted by the US Marine Corp over 70 years ago. (And since by other branches of the Armed Forces.)
This most popular knife has come to be called a “Ka-Bar” (no matter who the manufacturer) and it’s pretty safe to say any military man (or woman) would want one. You can get them engraved with the date of their Basic Training graduation to add a personal touch.
9- Military Clothing
A gift of something to wear that identifies them with the military could be a very nice gift for a recent graduate. You could get them a hat, buy them apparel from a site such as armedforcesgear.com or customize a sweatshirt or hoodie with their name and rank.
10- Personalized Keychain or Lighter
To signify their graduation from Basic Training, a keychain with their name and the date of their graduation would be a meaningful way to mark the occasion.
You could also add the information to a nice lighter, which they could carry with them on the field for years to come, reminding them of their beginning.
11- Deployment/Assignment Map
If you know your loved one will be traveling extensively before their career is over, a wonderful idea is to give them a map of the world and pins so that they can mark where they have been assigned or stationed.
You can make sure the map is framed nicely and is mounted on a surface that will easily accept the pins. You could even designate different colors of pins for locations of loved ones or places they would like to visit one day.
12- Electronics
Electronic gadgets and their accessories are always a big hit as a gift no matter what the occasion. Your Basic Training graduate might very much appreciate a military-grade case for his or her iPad or tablet.
Touch screen gloves, USB flash drives, and power banks are other ideas for electronic gadgets that could prove to be very useful to them. And anyone would love a portable Bluetooth speaker or a new pair of headphones or earbuds.
13- Military Sign/Artwork
Giving the gift of a sign or artwork that, for example, says “United States Army” with the coat of arms on it, would be a perfect gift that your loved one would take with them wherever they go for the rest of their lives.
You could get a custom-painted wooden sign, or find a poster or famous piece of military artwork and have it nicely framed. Write a note of encouragement on the back “in the event of your graduation from Basic Training” and you’ve got a very thoughtful gift!
14- Wallet or Money Clip
Now that your graduate will have a military ID to carry, a gift of a nice wallet would be very thoughtful and useful. Consider finding a wallet with a clear screen so this ID can be easily displayed.
A money clip with the name and graduation date of your graduate would also be a great idea and one that would be carried and used as a reminder of how proud you are of them!
15- Cash $$
While it may seem boring, giving any graduate a monetary gift is not insignificant to them. Find a card meant for Basic Training graduates, and write them a personal note that speaks from your heart. They will appreciate your words of encouragement and of course the money!
Hopefully, you’ve had some inspiration for what you think your graduate would love to receive in the event of their completion of Basic Training. Enjoy the hunt to think of and find the perfect gift for them and you will see that it truly is better to give than to receive!
