Gift for Army Basic graduation?

[Noleshooter]

My cousin (we're very close) is graduating from Basic Training in September and I want to get him something nice. He's under 21 so I could gift him one of my pistols, but that seems a bit unoriginal.

He's going to be a 91B (wheeled Mechanic) so he wouldn't need anything tacticool. I didn't serve so I'm looking for some input from those of you who have recently. Is there something that would be really helpful for him as a new soldier? I was thinking a good multi-tool, some Oakleys or some quality boots???

Input appreciated.

[Al T.]

BRB. Sort of busy and have some thoughts here...

[LittleLebowski]

Tacticool or not, a good shooting class would be great.

[Wes Peart]

Nice watch, knife or gun... What's your budget?

[LittleLebowski]

Nice watch, knife or gun... What's your budget?

I'd wait until he's settled down. He can't take the gun where he goes for MOS school and the knife/watch is just asking to be stolen.

Shooting class.

[Shokr21]

When I graduated from Basic and AIT my two uncles (both still serving) gifted me a suunto vector and a pair of Oakley flak jackets. Meant a lot to me, and those are two things that I wear every time I put on a uniform.

Other ideas would be a good folding knife, SOG multitool (far better imo than leatherman/gerber), or a good belt.

Basically simple items that aren't turbo expensive and are still severely useful.

[SGT_Calle]

I'll vote good knife or multi-tool. He will most likely be issued a brand new gerber as part of his kit before any sort of deployment but there are better tools out there. I'm also a big fan of automatic Benchmade knives, but not a good idea to have while attending AIT.

[JM Campbell]

I'll third LL's.......F2S 2 day carbine course with required ammo. Go with him and give him a great memory and a better knowledge that might save his life and buddies one day.

[S Jenks]

I'm in the same boat as the OP- my brother graduates USCG boot on August 10. He is going for Maritime LE but will have a wait before a training slot opens for him. I was leaning towards a Benchmade as I've carried the same Griptilian on duty for 8 years without issue, but am open to other suggestions. I sent him a G-Shock last month so he already has a functioning watch.

As an aside, he qualified last week with the P229DAK on a simulator, scored 142 out of 150. Two points shy of Expert and top shooter in his company. Not bad for a 17 y/o who had a whopping two hours of range instruction before he left! Brought a tear to my eye...

[LittleLebowski]

He doesn't need gear. He will be issued what he needs and the likelihood of said nice gear being stolen while in MOS school is high.

Send him to a pistol or carbine class. I'll second the F2S recommendation.