I have a friend that goes to the Air force Academy in Colorado Springs. As a cadet, he is provided almost everything (clothes, dorm accessories, food) Also, he does not have a car so it is difficult to get off base to a shopping center. Keep in mind that the rules mandate frequent room inpsection. Any gift ideas?

12/20/2005 7:39:14 PM

I know at least guys in the army seem to want books. Maybe he'd like a few of those?

12/20/2005 7:43:49 PM

computer games, seriously

12/20/2005 7:45:52 PM

a transfer to a better service

seriously, give him books. i want the officers I will be working with someday to be cultured.

12/20/2005 7:57:42 PM

well a book was my first idea. But he told me that with the demanding course load and schedule that he does not have much time to read...any other suggestions?

12/20/2005 10:04:18 PM

Music? Movies? If he isn't allowed a TV in his room, surely he has a computer that can play DVDs.

12/20/2005 10:08:58 PM

well he likes 50 cent and eminem.....i dont want to encourage such a bad taste in music But a DVD is a good idea and so isa computer game...thanks

12/20/2005 10:13:31 PM

deff go electronics, i promise you cant go wrong

12/20/2005 10:16:32 PM

If you are getting him a game, I'd recommend Battlefield 2.

12/20/2005 10:25:51 PM

How does a gift certificate to Amazon.com work? He can use it anytime from his computer and have it sent to him directly or by his parents.

12/20/2005 11:04:07 PM

buy him a Bible

12/20/2005 11:23:33 PM

send them a plane ticket to get out of that hellhole

12/21/2005 12:16:21 AM

a carepackage of goodies and snack foods perhaps?

and movies

12/21/2005 12:23:05 AM

swiffer sheets (I would have killed for those in basic)
Seriously, though, I don't know. I didn't even know cadets were allowed off-base.
I do know one thing...if at all possible don't send him a box with packing peanuts. My mom always sends stuff to me that is filled with packing peanuts, and they get everywhere. Not the kind of thing you want to deal with if you're constantly having room inspections.

12/21/2005 12:35:22 AM

the man ^ is right, send him high performance cleaning supplies.....and something fun too

12/21/2005 3:25:06 AM

The woman.
I didn't have time to read when I was in training status (not that it was anywhere near the intensity of being a cadet, but it was like college, except with your parents watching you 24/7, and with teachers telling you every day that you were going to fail), and I didn't really have time for computer games, either.
Music is good, I listened to music when I was falling asleep a lot, and I could listen to music when I was doing homework, too. If he has a computer and iPod, you could get him an iTunes giftcard. Amazon.com, Target.com, BarnesandNoble.com...all these are places that I've enjoyed getting gift certificates to (especially since the nearest Target is on another island).

12/21/2005 4:09:12 AM

Gift certificate to a military supply store (Ranger Joe's, Black Hawk, etc) is also not bad. There's usually good stuff he can get for himself there, and it's better than you buying something for him, as he may need something very specific.

12/21/2005 5:48:26 AM

I went to the Naval Academy. I'd recommend something like movies or games...but in all actuality, a GC from Best Buy would have been awesome...we don't get jack shit for money there, so every little bit helps

12/21/2005 9:14:43 AM

yeah don't do the cleaning supplies-- that would be awesome for someone in basic or something, but things are a bit different at the academies-- it's more like actual college than it is basic, depending on his 'rank' or year there. By this point in the year, though, even if he's a freshman, he'd be able to enjoy computer games, music, movies. Maybe a kickass set of headphones (wireless?) if you're feeling generous. They can't do console games, so stick to computer-based stuff. Maybe a wireless gamepad controller for his laptop?

Also, they have huge opportunities for skiing at the AF academy-- if he's interested in that, there's always some kind of skiing accessory you could get him.

----
At the risk of sounding rude, I'm going to say if you get him a military-related item in any way, he's going to be thinking, "thanks a lot, dick..."

Think of it from his perspective-- he's emersed in military life almost 12 months of the year. Anything you can do to help alleviate that, he'll enjoy.

[Edited on December 21, 2005 at 10:15 AM. Reason : add]

12/21/2005 10:12:09 AM

i was going to make some asshole comment until i saw how hot you are

12/21/2005 12:43:43 PM