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Just a thought...
Make a nice donation to the Wounded Warrior Project in her name. I’m sure she would appreciate that.
/johnny
My Nephew made light colonel about a year ago. I don’t recall any of us doing anything except saying “he sure did make it quickly”. I would not be at all surprised if he makes General eventually.
- Framed/matted reprint of the US Constitution
- A desk plaque with the officer’s oath engraved on it
- Desk size statue or bust of George Washington
- If they are an academy grad, a gift of something that's specific to whichever academy they attended
- If she's a flyer, a mini version of the appropriate aircraft
If you need more ideas, let me know
I’m clueless as to what a promotion party is...
I got my Blood Stripes “pinned on” by my fellow Company NCOs, when I made Corporal. Brutal and painful, it was worth it.
When I made Sergeant, I was “wetted down” at the NCO Club.
For what it’s worth, my gift was a 5AM, 3 mile run, with one helluva hangover.
Cheers!
$46 Billion to stop this year’s Sequestration cuts.
http://www.rangerup.com/killedyouw.html
Congrats to your cousin!
I also like the donation to wounded warrior foundation suggestion
Since my daughter is EOD I’ll mention:
http://www.eodwarriorfoundation.org
A real silver dollar ( in private ) and a smile of gratitude and recognition.
VR
The custom for officers is to host their own “wetting down” party to celebrate a promotion...including buying the food & drink.
Do like the idea of Wounded Warrior donation, or to make it even more personal, maybe a contribution to your cousin’s unit / base Family Services office or Morale, Welfare, & Recreation (MWR) fund. Alternatively, a donation to her Service’s Relief Fund — Army / Navy / Marine Corps / Air Force Relief. Or even a contribution to a local or the main USO office.
I’m an Army officer and have never heard of any officers getting gifts for a promotion. The traditional promotion “party” is to go to a bar and get drunk, with the person that got promoted buying the drinks.
When my brother pinned on silver oak leaves, I got him one of these:
It is a gift of particular relevance for those who serve in the combat arms, or have spent time in Afghanistan.
Pearl handled .44, or whatever it was that George Patton carried.
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Just a thought...
A nice pen, durable, extremely functional aka fisher space pen guts....
I have a henderer investigators pen.....they are very nice and fit a duty uniform very well.
http://www.rickhindererknives.com/rick-hinderer-store/pens/titanium-investigator-pen.html
Brass, copper titanium, etc .... As an O-6 she will use a nice pen more than anything. The refills are fisher space pen so they will work in the field or the office.
Call Rick and tell him what your after, he may even have time to engrave it with her name from you and the date of presentation etc ...
Just a suggestion.... Congrats to the new Bird Colonel !
So, no military experience here, so I can’t help you with that, but being cousins ... have you considered something with family significance? Perhaps a framed picture from when you were kids together at a family get-together?
(Having no clue, I tend to think that something with a personal, family touch would be nice...)
Not sure if you’re a crafty person or not, but oftentimes, handmade gifts are also a nice thing. In this case, something with a colonel’s insignia on it.
Just a couple of attempts at ‘outside the box’ thinking. Good luck, and best wishes to your cousin!
Not kidding, but when one of my female friends made COL, the gift she liked the best was a box of chocolates.
Attendees do not normally give gifts. Your attendance is the gift. Physical gifts are normally given departure or retirement ceremonies. Always touching, they are usually also humorous.
However, you being a civilian family member, something meaningful and discreetly given is not only appropriate but will be treasured.
Should you decide to do this, a challenge coin or service tie would do nicely. Selection should be limited to something you can legitimately give and your cousin and legitimately use (don't give her a Navy tie). You can get some ideas from this website; www.medalsofamerica.com.
As far as meaning, you actually already know that. The gift would represent something important in your cousin's life or career. Maybe even something shared with you.
My recommendation, consider a challenge coin. If you find one you think right, is given discreetly through a handshake. And it is never forgotten.
You’re such a nice relative for thinking of such a sweet gift! She might appreciate a monogrammed afghan/throw with the appropriate military service seal and the date of her promotion. Or, a very nice bottle of her favorite alcoholic beverage along with engraved glasses; a bottle of wine in a leather case with monogrammed plaque; a framed print of a special military hero (there are quite a few of Gen George Washington kneeling in the snow that are just beautiful); a “coffee table” book of a special place/monument with a nice inscription...hope those ideas help. I received similar items along the way when I was active duty...