Dorie Griggs, a military Mom, journalist and Guest lecturer/consultant in the areas of traumatic stress and mental health, is our guest blogger today. We asked her to for military gift ideas – tailored for recent graduates.

I write for a military blog and also one for parents with cadets at The Citadel.  This time of year, I’m often asked “What is a good gift for a student graduating college and beginning a career in the military?”

In the case of cadets at The Citadel, a lifetime membership to the Citadel Alumni Association is a thoughtful graduation gift. The alumni office hosts a nice lunchtime presentation graduation weekend for new members.

Many military academy and colleges offer a diploma frame customized with the seal of the school and other details. This is a very nice military gift.

If your graduate is going into a branch of the military there are a variety of military gifts to consider. If they know their specialty in their branch of service you can find a variety of nicely bound books with the history of their branch. Our son is an armor officer in the U.S. Army. At Christmas I gave him a book about the Armor Branch. We also gave him the movie Patton. You might also ask a member of the ROTC staff for gift ideas.  One year we found a sleeping bag that folds down to the size of a football but will keep a soldier warm even in the coldest weather.

Since most new military graduates and newly commissioned officers will be setting up a home, household items customized with the school logo, like drinking glasses or a blanket – are always appreciated.

A safe fall back for any student is always cash. Here’s a clever way to present the present!  If you cannot find the acrylic paint can, a Tervis Tumbler works great.