BamaTanya Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 He's headed to boot camp. And then to a 2-year special training school. If I should take a gift, what would he need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 He won't be allowed much at boot camp/basic training. You can buy a gift card to military exchanges online. That might be a good option. Pre-stamped, pre-addressed post cards to his close family members is another good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dm379 Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 When my little brother left I got him a dog tag with a scripture on it that he was allowed to wear. Other than that I would say money or gift cards. Dh went through running shoes every few weeks at first. His stuff was really expensive when we were young and he was just joining and the pay was bad so every bit of money was a huge help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The girl next door Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Gift cards for a night out might be appreciated but I know it was a while before my brother was up to using them since they were so busy. Maybe something local if there is time before he goes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelsi Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 :iagree: You can't do or have anything in boot camp. They even issued our shoes to us. In fact, when I was in, the men were even issued underwear lol (the women were given a stipend and taken to the BX to buy it themselves). Our stuff from home was stacked in a closet that was locked - we did not have access to it until a day or two before graduation. That being said, after boot camp, in tech school you get more freedom. I was in the AF and the first few weeks you had to stay on base but after that you could gain more and more freedom and eventually could go off base mostly as you wished. A gift card for the BX is a great idea. Or cash for going to the on-base movie theater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltahotelfoxtrot Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 When in doubt gift cards and money are a good fall back. Dawn and Mungo are correct. He won't be allowed much. Some things you can have are religious things (I always keep a good pocket bible with me). Phone cards are useful. It may sound silly but Thorlo socks are some of my fav gifts. I got a bunch while I was in basic training 8 years ago, countless miles of walking, running, marching and 2 deployments later I have a few pairs that survived and I still wear. They make running and combat boot versions. Best socks ever, and taking care of your feet is important in the military. Once he gets out of Basic and into his skills training he most likely will have weekends off and access to "normal" things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 :iagree:with the others. Money and gift cards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 my cousin asked for money or gift cards to use to eat out and entertain himself before he went to boot camp, and for once he was out of basic training and had more freedom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommytobees Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 He's headed to boot camp. And then to a 2-year special training school. If I should take a gift, what would he need? What schooling is he going to? The reason I ask is that I can only think of a few schools which are 2-years long. I would actually give a gift to be used during the schooling. By any chance, is he going to South Carolina? Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamaTanya Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 What schooling is he going to? The reason I ask is that I can only think of a few schools which are 2-years long. I would actually give a gift to be used during the schooling. By any chance, is he going to South Carolina? Kris Hmm. It's nuclear-something. Nuclear power, maybe? ETA: I'm not sure where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommytobees Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Hmm. It's nuclear-something. Nuclear power, maybe? ETA: I'm not sure where. Ahhh, okay I thought so. He is headed to where I live in the Charleston SC area. My dh is an instructor at the A school. His life at school is going to be HARD. After bootcamp he is going to spend 3-6 months on A school, then 6 months at power school, and then 6 months at prototype, PLUS time between class start-ups. At A school he lives in the BEQ (Bachelor Enlisted Quarters) and has to have permission to DO anything. He has to earn the right to wear his civvies rather than his uniform. They can have a tv and play systems in their rooms. At power school he'll have a bit more freedom, but still life in BEQ. At prototype he'll have to get an apartment. So, given that..... I would give him a gift card for food (Olive Garden, McD's, Burger King, Wendy's), B&N, Game Stop (if he plays games like that), Best Buy, or something like that. You can do the Exchange gift card that many people have suggested, and that would be a HUGE benefit for him....but....the NEX there on base SUCKS. So, if it is for a small amount, go for it, if it is for a large amount.....go with a bunch of little gift cards. HTH, Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 An address book for everyone to fill out their info in at the party would be a great gift so that he can write them if he so decides. Also a box of envelopes, stationary and stamps would be appreciated. They aren't allowed to have too much. The money would be a good idea but yet again they are quite limited to what they are allowed to purchase during BCT. Now, after they move from BCT to AIT (specialty training) they will have more freedom. But the first 13 weeks is quite strict. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama2cntrykids Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 I would just do cash, honestly. He won't be allowed much at training, so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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