Practical military graduation gift

January 29, 2006 9:43 AM

Help me select a useful gift for my daughter's graduation from Army chemical school ...

She's 21, about to graduate from Army chemical training school, and is being sent to Hawaii alone. Her husband will remain in the continental US until August, when he goes to Iraq for a year.

I want to get her something that is practical for a military lifestyle but which says "I'm proud of you even though I really, really didn't want you to join the military". It can't be too large or frivolous. We are definitely not a military-type family, so I'm at a loss.

posted by loosemouth to shopping (7 comments total)

Maybe something with military historical value? Do you have ancestors that might have fought in WWI or WWII?

I got my father a copy of his grandfather's attestation papers for signing up for WWI a while ago. Pretty cool. That was easy and not too valuable, as gifts go, but depending on family history there could be something out there for ya.

I want to say that antique gas masks are cool, but I'm not sure someone who knows what chemical weapons can do to someone would necessarily agree.
posted by tiamat at 10:16 AM on January 29, 2006

Phone cards so she can call you.
posted by fixedgear at 10:40 AM on January 29, 2006

Massive cell phone plan? Satellite phone for him? Palm pilot, amazing sunglasses, laptop with iSight, leatherman, scuba diving certification for Hawaii, Hawaii travel guides, offer to help fund a trip that would allow them to see each other before August.
posted by fionab at 11:51 AM on January 29, 2006

I have no advice beyond what fionab gave -- good ideas, especially the phone cards -- but want to say that I appreciate your daughter's service, and your support of her.
posted by davidmsc at 11:56 AM on January 29, 2006

Other ideas: iPod and nice headphones (noise-cancelling? sports? waterproof? depends on her lifestyle), cool watch - Timex (this one has a digital compas and nice indiglo) type digital watch (with a second time zone) or more like a funky military/dive/chronograph watch, microphone and some editing software so she can make cute music/talking podcasts for her hubby, Netflix for a year, National Park Pass, personal GPS system (good for the unmarked roads in Hawaii and elsewhere, hiking, etc.), a letter telling her that you're proud of her and support her decision. I'd be willing to bet that she knows you're less than pleased with this whole arrangment, and your personal support of her would be worth more than some random thing. Having said that, if I was moving to Hawaii and my parents gave me my own BCD/reg/wet suit and a dive certification and the promise they'd come visit, I'd be over the moon. But then again, I'm not in the military so I have no idea what she'd really love or have time for.
posted by fionab at 2:02 PM on January 29, 2006

Hello? Where did you go?
posted by fionab at 7:04 AM on January 30, 2006

I really appreciate all the kind suggestions and remarks. I really like the dual-time watch idea and plan to go for that.
posted by loosemouth at 2:44 PM on January 30, 2006