It’s a hectic time of year, and the service member in your life might be difficult to shop for. If you’re scrambling at the last minute to get something wrapped under the tree or stuffed in a stocking, you’ve found the right list.
Whether you’re shopping for an infantryman or POG, private or colonel, soldier or sailor, these last-minute gift ideas are sure to delight anyone with a CAC and SGLI for less than $30. Even better, they can generally be found on Amazon or even tax-free at your local Exchange.
1. Darn Tough Socks
Socks might be a bit of a Christmas gift joke, but any service member who actually spends time on their feet will appreciate a good pair of Darn Toughs. Available in black or coyote to conform to uniform standards across the services, the merino wool will breathe in the hot swamps of Fort Polk and stay warm during the frozen months at Fort Drum. On top of that, they come with a lifetime guarantee.
2. Casio MRW Wristwatch
Despite the dominance of the Apple Watch and the popularity of the Suunto Core and Garmin Fenix smartwatches with troops, the classic time-only wristwatch has seen a resurgence in military formations. After all, you can’t bring a smartwatch into a SCIF. With a keen eye, you can spot luxury Swiss watches on the wrists of operators and generals across the U.S. military. However, troops also have an appreciation for so-called “beater watches.”
Casio G-Shocks became the go-to timepiece of the Global War on Terror, even being issued to the Navy SEALs. While the classic G-Shock square is outside the $30 budget, the Casio MRW200H can be found for under $30 and still carries a pedigree of service, having been issued to NASA WB-57 high-altitude research pilots. With luminous markers, 100-meter water resistance, and a rotating timing bezel, this cheap and cheerful quartz beater is a great stocking stuffer that can be tossed around in the field or kept attached to a plate carrier as a backup timepiece
3. LED Headlamp
Like socks, a good headlamp can make a world of difference in a service member’s duties. And, like the Casio watch, it can be beaten and abused throughout its service life. Whether it’s an upgrade or a spare, a new headlamp makes for a practical and thoughtful military Christmas gift.
Two hundred lumens is plenty for disassembling an MRE in the field or poking around an engine bay. A red light mode is essential for nighttime operations, such as map reading or finding the next person for firewatch. Try to avoid models that charge via USB or another cable; they might sound convenient, but batteries are king. Of course, keep it black or coyote. With those requirements and the $30 budget in mind, the Princeton Tec Byte can be had for $29.99.
4. Domino’s Gift Card
Nothing says “I care” to a service member like the gift of pizza. Whether it’s a first sergeant taking care of the troops working late into the night or a 2nd lieutenant trying to buy some goodwill with a new platoon, the military keeps the local pizzerias in business.
If there’s no on-base Domino’s, there’s likely one or another similar establishment in the nearby town. $30 is enough for a pizza and some cheesy bread. When it’s 0130, and they’ve just come back to battalion HQ after picking up the latest round of drunk tank visitors, your service member will sincerely appreciate having a gift card to fund a pizza run.
5. Nicotine & Caffeine
Forget computer chips, metal, and oil; nicotine and caffeine are the two strategic materials without which the U.S. military cannot function. GWOT ran on Rip It and Copenhagen, but today’s military is more diversified. To play it safe, Zyn and White Monster are good bets. Even if your service member doesn’t partake in nicotine or caffeine, such products have become tradable commodities in the field. Remember to leave milk and cookies out for Saint Nick, but put out some lip pillows and a can of Reign for Staff Sgt. Claus and his junior enlisted helpers with Christmas Eve duty.
