Graduation

[CommunityEditor]

For those that have completed Basic, regardless of service branch, this is an opportunity for you to help the families of those who haven't. What are appropriate graduation gifts? What did you receive? Post them here and we'll compile a reference list.

[dontgiveuptheship]

Well, for Navy Basic Training there were some guidelines as far as what you can send and what you can't. You can't send :thumbdown : Cell Phones(or any electronics in general), Pornography, Weapons (Duh), Food (especially candy), or civilian clothes (duh).
You CAN send :thumbup: : Stationary (i.e. envelopes, stamps, etc.), letters, cards, and that's pretty much it.

If you try to send anything embarassing, trust me I have witnessed some fellow shipmates suffer because of it. Unless that was your intention. Haha.

[OldAirDog]

Whatever you give just make sure that it is small enough to stow away in a small bag because every trainee will have to carry all of their belongings and personal effects on an airplane or bus. So any bulky items would be a big no no.

[USMCmom]

My son graduated from Parris Island in October of 2008 - thought I'd share what his graduation "gift" was for any families who are looking for ideas.

I called my states US Senator's office and completed a "Flag Request" - this is a request to have the US flag flown over the US Capitol building on a particular date, for a particular person and reason. I had the flag flown for my son on the day his company was returning from the crucible.

The flag is then shipped to you with a certificate stating who - when - where & why the flag was flown. I think my total cost was around 20.00. I sent a letter to him, timed to arrive right before he headed out for the crucible - telling him the flag would be flying over the capitol bldg in his honor as he stood at the Iwo Jima memorial that Saturday morning and was called "Marine" for the first time.

He said it meant a lot to him to have that thought in his mind. :)

[1HardDI]

My son graduated from Parris Island in October of 2008 - thought I'd share what his graduation "gift" was for any families who are looking for ideas.

I called my states US Senator's office and completed a "Flag Request" - this is a request to have the US flag flown over the US Capitol building on a particular date, for a particular person and reason. I had the flag flown for my son on the day his company was returning from the crucible.

The flag is then shipped to you with a certificate stating who - when - where & why the flag was flown. I think my total cost was around 20.00. I sent a letter to him, timed to arrive right before he headed out for the crucible - telling him the flag would be flying over the capitol bldg in his honor as he stood at the Iwo Jima memorial that Saturday morning and was called "Marine" for the first time.

He said it meant a lot to him to have that thought in his mind. :)

Wow, holy overkill, lol.

I was going to say luggage.

[Michaep]

Wow, holy overkill, lol.

I was going to say luggage.

.....hater

[alaskaresident]

My grandpa paid my last two car payments for me $450, paid my credit card off $200, and paid my cell phone bill for two months $90. I left him with blank checks for my bills while I was in Basic Training so he could pay my bills when they came in. He and my dad came to my graduation and he gave me a card with all the blank checks in them. I asked him about my bills and he said they were all taken care of. My money was no good to him, he was proud of me. I love my grandpa. It was also his way of saying thanks for moving in with him when grandma died.

[CVal]

Cool grandpa, alaska.