You have a friend or family member who is an Army ROTC Cadet, but you just are not sure what the perfect graduation gift would be? Someone who has made the decision to serve this country may not have time to make an extensive list or rather, what soon to be college graduate does? With finals, Im not sure anything else is occupying soon to be college graduates’ minds. That is okay, your Cadet is most deserving of a thoughtful present so we created a gift list for your military boyfriend or girlfriend or military son or daughter!
We have taken the liberty to sift through thousands of possible gifts for a ROTC Cadet and narrow it down to just a handful! All of these gifts were selected for the simple reason that future Soldiers can always use them. Below you will find the perfect gift list for Army ROTC Cadets and plenty of gift ideas for military members in any occasion.
With a lifetime of commuting, rucking, running, hiking, and general downtime, why not give a gift membership to audible to enable your new graduate to learn while multi tasking?
Bookshelf
There always will be demand for reading in a military lifestyle. All leaders must be lifelong learners and professional development reading is one of many ways to accomplish that. Here are our recommendations:
1776 David McCullough: 1776 (Paperback)
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t Hardcover
How to Win Friends & Influence People Paperback
Need more ideas? Check out the current Chief of Staff of the Army’s reading list.
Price: $17.99-29.99
Why Cadets Want This Gift: Cadets can always use gear to help keep themselves and their equipment dry in the field. The smaller sizes are extremely useful for helping to organize a rucksack and keeping clothing and mission essential military equipment dry.
Gerber Gear Truss Multitool, Stainless and Grey with Multi-Position Sheath
Price: $26.99
Why Cadets Want This Gift: Soldiers can always use a multi-tool as a gift. Annoyingly, these items are frequently lost in the field and need to be replaced. However, they are absolutely essential for adjusting weapons, optics, and miscellaneous military equipment.
<a href=”http://<a target=”_blank” href=”https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Instinct-Features-Monitoring-Graphite/dp/B07HYX9P88/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8CIQ0YS9ABPG&keywords=garmin&qid=1649007793&sprefix=garmin%252Caps%252C119&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=armytmk-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=60201af302fec2d35867e225b8fc72fe&camp=1789&creative=9325″>Garmin Garmin Instinct, Outdoor Smartwatch with GPS
Price: $177-249
Why Cadets Want This Gift: Punctuality and the military go hand in hand, but what really separates this watch is the addition of military useful features, namely GPS, land navigation features, fitness features, and unmatched outdoor durability to protect itself in any situation.
Price: $33.99
Why Cadets Want This Gift: While you stay inside when it is raining and snowing, Cadets will still be in the field training. In any element, it is essential to be able to take notes and make use of written communication. The Rite in the Rain family of products allows note taking on special paper and pens that will not wash off in the elements. This is a MUST have for every Soldier.
Casio Men’s G-Shock XL Series Quartz Watch with Resin Strap, Beige, 25.8
Price: $99.00
Why Cadets Want This Gift: Ever hear the military saying “Hurry Up and Wait”? Being on time in the military is extremely important, as well as having a watch that can withstand the elements and ruggedness required of a Soldier. G-Shock has been making watches for the military since the technology first became available and there is none better than the above watch. This is a literal life-saver gift for any military member.
Bose SoundLink Micro, Portable Outdoor Speaker
Price: $99.00
Why Cadets Want This Gift: All of these gifts have seemed so work-related? Well not this one! There is plenty of down time for Cadets in the dorms to have a jam session! You want to know how to become popular and entertaining? Bust out the music during PT or at the weekends in the barracks with this incredibly sounding pocket sized Bose bluetooth speaker.
Price: You Decide!
Why Cadets Want This Gift: When all else fails, get a gift card. A college student knows what they need and want best. I know that Amazon sells just about anything any person could want so it is a match made in heaven.
Cadet Gift Buying Guide
What are the things you should consider when buying a graduation gift for a Soldier or your military boyfriend/girlfriend? Any graduation gift for Soldiers must be thoughtful, useful, high quality, and affordable.
Thoughtful
We explained above why Soldiers would want each of the above gifts. Now, this is a generic list so you can always get a gift much more targeted to your specific family member or friend serving in the military. Soldiers will appreciate getting gifts that show you understand them and their service.
Useful
To go along with thoughtfulness, Soldiers want gifts that they can actually use! All of those Army labeled plaques, posters, and ornaments are cool, but they dont actually do much. Every single gift we listed above is practical and useful for Soldiers!
High Quality
Literally Soldiers’ lives depends on the equipment they use. Now, thankfully as the wars wind down they will have to test the quality of their equipment in combat less and less, but Soldiers train as they fight. Please do not buy Soldiers something you would not feel comfortable taking to combat. Consider the quality of everything!
Affordability
Lastly, this is a graduation gift guide and you do not have the budget of the Department of Defense. We have listed a variety of gifts at various price points to help you select the right gift for your budget. When all else fails, a simple Amazon gift card always works as well!
Army Platoon TMKs & Order Shells 
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