PI022: Graduation Gifts For Your New Marine

Graduation Ceremony MCRD PI

Graduation Day is finally here and you are so proud.  You don’t need to buy anything at all, but wouldn’t it be nice to give a little token to recognize the hard work your loved one put into becoming a Marine?  But what do you get someone who just graduated boot camp?  The product links that follow go to ParrisIsland.com’s Amazon affiliate account and my company will receive a small commission if you buy from Amazon through these links.  Read on for some great ideas:

1)      A Parris Island Challenge Coin – Challenge coins are very popular and Marines collect them throughout their career.  Look around the offices on any base and you will see challenge coins proudly displayed on desk tops or hanging in frames on the wall.  I’ve linked to some on Amazon but you can also buy them at the Marine Corps Exchange when you get to Parris Island.   Although I did not see the yellow footprints coin at the MEX, they have a good selection including battalion coins and Parris Island coins.

2)      KA-BAR – This Marine combat knife made popular in WWII is still highly regarded today.  KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, Straight

3)      Marine foot locker – In addition to what you can find on-line, the Marine Corps Exchange (MEX) on Parris Island has a small wooden box with the EGA on top.  I bought one for my husband a few years back and he loves it.  New Marines might use it to keep boot camp memorabilia.

4)      Books from the Commandant’s Reading List.  Marines can be borrow books from the library or downloaded many for free so check the Commandant’s Professional Reading List before you buy.

5)      An Amazon Gift Card for just about anything from books to Marine shirts and memorabilia.

6)      Red Blood, Black Sand: Fighting Alongside John Basilone from Boot Camp to Iwo Jima

7)      The HBO Mini Series: The Pacific

8)  The FitBit Charge HR – a watch-like device that lets you track workouts, heart rate, how many steps you take and it sycs with your computer and over 150 smart phones.

I asked some of my friends about gifts they received after they graduated boot camp.  One Marine’s parents paid for a Marine Corps class ring, another paid for his Boot Camp Platoon Book.   They also recommended a tackle box to hold chevrons and ribbons, extra ribbon backings, enlisted tie bar, and a vinyl Blues cover.

Have you purchased a gift for a new Marine?  Share your ideas in the comments below.