What do you give a new Marine for X-mas?

Haggis

Haggis

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So I get a call today from one of my daughter's best friends today seeking some advice. Now Molly (Allison's friend) is family to us, a heck of a good girl and recently engaged to her Marine in training feller Jake. Jake is just finishing up combat training (I believe) in Virginny and is one hell of a good kid. Molly wants to get him a awesome gift that Jake can have with him when he does get deployed, something that he would use everyday and have for a lifetime while sparking thoughts of Molly at the same time. She has no clue what to get or what he is allowed to have while deployed. My thought was a first class piece of steel, but that's always my first thought and I have no idea what's allowed either. With the number of service folks here I'd figure you guys and gals could help Molly out, while spreading some Christmas joy and helping out a couple of lovestruck youngins. Whatcha think?
 
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What's his rank and Military Occupational Specialty?

The only large-scale, entry-level "combat" training done in VA is at Quantico at The Basic School - a 6 month program of instruction for all Marine Officers. There are some smaller, specialized programs but again, it would depend upon rank and MOS.

I used to work at Training and Education Command at Quantico and am familiar with most Marine training programs world-wide. I'm also a renowned gear-queer. I have diverse, mad skilz. Like an old Buckaroo Banzai.
 
Joker said:
Can't go wrong with with a good multi-tool.
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This.

Have her get some intel first (he may have one) and if so then maybe something like this:
810.jpg

http://www.benchmade.com/products/810
 
TangoBlue said:
What's his rank and Military Occupational Specialty?
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Intel forthcoming, I got my best agent on the case.

The Multi-tool is a great idea but I don't think Molly wants to give Jake a R. Lee doll. It would just be odd having Jake cuddle a doll in a bivouac somewhere while thinking about her.

Until my agent reports in here's a pic of the youngins at the Marine Ball...

1470163_218480534991200_1197958115_n.jpg
 
Hi all, this is Haggis's daughter Allison. (Don't tell him I've logged in as him again, I'll get in trouble) Jake is currently a private and is in the middle to late stages of specialty training in Dam Neck Virginia. Not even his fiancé Molly knows what he's doing exactly, but we've heard the words "counter intelligence" being bandied about lately when we get the chance to talk to him.

Molly texted me yesterday in a semi-panic because she realized that she had no idea what to get her future hubby for Christmas and asked my advice. My reply: "You're the one marrying him. What do boys even like?" I then referred her to my dad because, well, he's a boy. That and he's been really interested in Jake's time in the Marines, especially since he's about to become his "almost-son-in-law". I swear he likes my best friends more than me sometimes.

We know that he got a new knife a couple of months ago, but Molly has yet to figure out what kind. (It's a good thing she's not in intel.) Any help you guys can give us will be greatly appreciated and will save me the agony of listening to the possible options over and over again, as I have been doing for the past three years any time she's given this boy a gift. Also, this will probably be the first Christmas that he won't be at home, so she's extra worried about it. (She's a worrier, it's almost like having a second mom.)

Thanks so much guys/gals!

Dad, I thought you said you were gonna change your password? ;)
 
A Marine can never have too many blades. Think of it like shoes (girls like shoes and stuff right?).

Well, men like steel. Whether it be a Ka-Bar (always a good choice), a multi-tool from Gerber or Leatherman, or something sexier like the Benchmade shown above, there are different blades for different occasions and a Marine needs them all.

Trust us when we say men like cold steel nearly as much as women like diamonds and gold ;)

Another option, just to throw it out there, is a quality time piece. There is bling (Tag Heur, Omega, Rolex, Citizen, Seiko etc) and then there are "tactical" type work watches we wear every day and take to the field. Suunto makes nice ones, me I prefer Casio G shock of the black variety (watches need to be black/subdued for uniform wear). Suunto is "special ops" sexy but for the money, the G Shocks rule. I'm on my second one in 14 years... damn tough watches.

Suunto:
http://www.suunto.com/xlandermilitary/

Here's what I have:
http://www.casio-usa.com/products/Watches/G-Shock/GR8900A-1/
 
Haggis' Ittybit said:
I swear he likes my best friends more than me sometimes.
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:drama You know that your my favoritist girl in the whole world. Now get off my account and sign up for yourself whelp, having an online conseverstaion with "myself" is a bit odd. And I can't afford any more odd building up on my online cred. ;)

Oh, Ally, find out how much dinero Molly is willing to spend...it will help focus in on what recommendations to make.
 
Dave said:
Trust us when we say men like cold steel nearly as much as women like diamonds and gold ;)
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Molly might not be aware of this fact but Allison sure is, after all she grew up with me, her uncles and her Papa.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, but the problem has been solved! Molly's getting him a nice manly ring, cause apparently he wants an engagement ring too. That, and she owes him, considering she has his class ring... and marines ring.... and an engagement ring.... This will all be very helpful when she freaks out about his birthday in a few months!

-Allison
 
Haggis said:
Hi all, this is Haggis's daughter Allison. (Don't tell him I've logged in as him again, I'll get in trouble) Jake is currently a private and is in the middle to late stages of specialty training in Dam Neck Virginia. Not even his fiancé Molly knows what he's doing exactly, but we've heard the words "counter intelligence" being bandied about lately when we get the chance to talk to him.
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Okay, I know what he's doing. Cold steel or a Marathon watch.

He's not got the time for movies or dolls.
 
Blades are a good idea - but better is the multitool - I would weigh in with a good light!! A good light anywhere is something that can always be carried and also has emotional significance -- you light up my life, the gift from you made me seeing in the dark possible and on and on -- in any event a good tactical light is not cheap and can last forever!! Here are three to choose from -- I like Surefire AND Fenix and own both -- blades and flashlights tend to both be "collectable." The last one is a "package" deal and might make a nice gift. Also - as he is deployed don't forget CARE packages and if you like - post up his APO and maybe someone might want to "gift" him, or his squad, some things as well.

Thank him for serving - and your friend for serving as an understanding wife!! (US Army 74-77 and Ret'd Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office here)....

And tell him - most important - stay safe and come back!!

http://www.batteryjunction.com/surefire-e2dlu-a.html

http://www.best-tactical-flashlight.com/fenix-pd32/

http://www.fenixoutfitters.com/fenix-tk15-s2-led-flashlight-tactical-flashlight-ring-mount-pkg/
 
Since Dave is pretty much one of us he nailed it with the blade and timepiece. A rugged watch that meets uniform regs is nice or a blade that can be LEGALLY carried ANYWHERE. PMO probably has a knife collection that rivals that of the TSA. The ring while nice will not be worn or used everyday, especially while deployed or while at work (unless hes admin or some desk job) and if they're getting married well.... thats a ring..... rings are bad for Marines... I'll let the ffingers do the talking....(see link) I'm pretty sure that Dave has probably seen his fair share of these.... the new rubber safety rings are a great alternative, not just for Jarheads but all active adventurous types....
https://www.google.com/search?q=deg...a=X&ei=1bBWVe6VOYrBgwTetYDQAQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ
 
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