My son is graduating from Texas A&M in a couple of weeks. He has completed the ProRanger program thru A&M and the National Park Service. Once he graduates, he will be Law Enforcement in National Park.

So....we have a lot of friends and family asking what they can get him for graduation gift that he will use on his new job? I already posted on THF that I am getting him his duty sidearm.

What else will this kid need??? I need as many suggestions as possible to pass along. I know flashlights, but brand, model? Those types of details that I can give to grandparents, etc. would be WONDERFUL!!

Thank you in advance for chiming in here!

Greatly appreciate it.

What’s provided to him?

Give him cash and let him decide what he needs. Cash is perfect for graduation.

NPS doesn't provide a service weapon?

Contact the department he will be working for. They sometimes have a certain type and brand of duty equipment they require. They can also tell you what he will need and where to get it. My son went into law enforcement out of college and that is what I did. Some gifts he received weren’t approved for use.

I would think he will be issued whatever gear he needs to perform his duties. I know it lacks the "personal touch" but IMO gift cards really come in handy when young people are settling in to new living quarters so they can purchase things they need as they see fit.

They do, but they also have option of using/purchasing their own. This kid has busted his @$$, figure it is the least that I can do for him (along with paying for his education!!!).

Not sure what is provided at this point. He would prefer his own stuff... And friends/family are the ones that are asking....they want to get him items he will be able to use on the job instead of Subway and WalMart gift cards...

Can’t tell ya what a good gift is. I agree with cash.

Congratulations on his success. My son graduated from A+M in December. Nice to get them through that point.

Nice Sunglasses
Good Automatic folding knife
Good flashlight
Tourniquet and belt pouch
Extra mags for duty weapon
Backup weapon that takes the same mags as duty weapon
First Aid / Trauma kit
GAG bag
Good Book - On Killing by David Grossman

Multi-tool, knife, sunglasses, watch.

Does he know where his first assignment will be? High end climate appropriate t-shirts or skivvies.

bear spray
taser

Congratulations to your son.

As to the equipment, most will be issued by the NPS or he will get an annual allowance for any needed equipment.

X4 on the cash.

Under armour compression under shirts in allowed colors x5
Quality Sunglasses
Quality shooting glasses for the range
MSA Sordin Pro hearing protection
Flashlights using same charging method - USB charging to include a thin aaa model for the pocket
Quality Head Lamp like a Black Diamond
Stream light waypoint spotlight
Personal first aid kit with tourniquet, chest seal, Israeli bandage, quick clot gauze
Back Pack
Personal Patrol Rifle and optic
Hand held Thermal
Quality rain gear
Extra Boots
Preparation H totables
Off duty Holsters and back up weapon

To everyone saying cash or gift cards my experience is that grandparents hate doing that even if it is the most practical gift. They take it as thoughtless. The young man will have a gift to remember them by, etc..

Flashlight: streamlight stinger rechargeable. $100-120

Sunglasses: Maui Jim $200-300 and up.

One people often overlook especially in their youth is quality socks. $15-30/pair

Quality merino under layers.
A good quality day pack, not a pack frame type.
Good binos.
Quality sleeping bag.
Rangers and law enforcement up this way have the real possibility of getting caught in bad winter weather.
Perhaps a Filson wool vest for a mid layer.

If he is going this route then I bet he also enjoys the out of doors, good camping equipment would also be good. He will want to spend some quality time outside away from his job to keep his morale high.

I wish him all the best, we need good law enforcement in our parks.

WOW! Thank you all!!

Yes, tried telling folks just give him cash.......no dice. And if you knew this kid....any cash would go towards FOOD! He has frostbite on the end of his nose from always having his head in the refrigerator!!

Some great suggestions here, Thank You all again!!

He has several options right now....

He has spent the last 3 summers interning with NPS at:
1) Big Bend
2) LBJ Park outside of Austin
3) Jean Lafite outside of New Orleans (current)

Big Bend and Jean Lafite have asked him to come back on a permanent basis. He is evaluating both of those as well as possibility of Glen Canyon (Lake Powell) and Petrified Forest....

Big Bend would be cool.

Am a LE will pm you

Tell him to make a wish list from the L.A. Police Gear website or GALLS website. Then people can pick what they want to buy him from there.

I have spent thousands on gear over the years. Took me years to get my belt setup the way I like it, there are great flashlights from Streamlight but the Stinger isn’t one of them. Likely whatever he buys now, will be replaced within a year or two once he figures out what works for him

The best pair of duty boots money can buy. He will get his money's worth, I promise. I always wore Danner's.

Would highly recommend a high end OLight flashlight with spare batteries. Extremely small and lightweight with high lumens. They come with ac/dc and usb charging options. Even if not duty approved he will certainly use it as a back up.
Congrats to your son - huge accomplishment!

All really good suggestions!!! Thanks again to all that have contributed. Much appreciated!!