View Full Version : Gift ideas for nephew starting with DEA
Nephew is starting 12-week training at Quantico, then will be on board with DEA. Did a brief stint with local LE, then applied for federal. He's a great, smart kid, graduated top of his university class, has some backbone but is also humble, cares about people, and wants to make a difference. The kind of person that you want to go into LE. Really proud of him and a couple of the other young guys in our fam for stepping up and going into service in LE, mil, and first responder roles, despite the challenging times we're facing.
Anyway, we want to get him a nice gift for his graduation (let's say budget of $600 max). Kind of stumped as to what to get him; I don't just want to give cash or a Brownells gift certificate or whatever, because not very 'memorable' in later years. Pinged my sister, she said DEA gives them a box of stuff when they start, and he thought it was awesome compared to what he got with local LE. :-) But we aren't sure what exactly they give them, and what else might be useful. She's gonna' try to get a little more intel, so I won't buy anything until I hear back.
Meanwhile, any suggestions on what might be useful to him?
A few ideas I had, stuff which MIGHT not be provided in his agency kit:
* A high quality folding knife, engraved. For example, a Chris Reeve Sebenza. Another option would be a Microtech auto, but not sure if that's something that agents would value over just a standard folder. I've heard mixed reviews on autos from LE folks I know: a lot of regular police carry a small fixed blade, some like an auto, some like a traditional easy-opening folder.
* Quality ear pro: MSA Sordins? I'm betting the Feds gear package won't include ear pro to match MSA.
* A set of home gunsmithing tools: like this Brownells Tool Kit (https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/gunsmithing-tool-kits/basic-field-tool-kit-prod30922.aspx) and maybe add a Wiha bit set (https://www.amazon.com/Wiha-75971-Master-Micro-Travel/dp/B01AVIQPZE)
Knife idea sounds good IMHO those are one of the things I never get rid of and are always good to go
Ear pro etc... seems to be a burn through item in a way
First I’d say delete this post. Don’t curse the man. Ask again when he’s about to graduate.
Second, I would suggest a very very nice bottle of whiskey. To be drunk only upon swearing in, any promotion and finished upon retirement. Not some $60 bottle. Like a $300+ bottle. Something that he would reserve for special occasions.
El Vaquero
08-27-20, 18:40
Nice ear pro isn’t a bad idea. What about a real nice Surefire pocket type flashlight. Those come in handy while doing plain clothes work.
First I’d say delete this post. Don’t curse the man. Ask again when he’s about to graduate.
LOL fair enough, don't want to jinx him. Still will plan to get something but not pull the trigger until he's almost done.
Maybe some cocaine?
Thought that would be one of the fringe benefits of the job. :jester:
Nice ear pro isn’t a bad idea. What about a real nice Surefire pocket type flashlight. Those come in handy while doing plain clothes work.
Light is a good idea, I assume they must be provided some kind of WML , but a good handheld could be a nice extra. Model you'd suggest?
Nephew is starting 12-week training at Quantico, then will be on board with DEA. Did a brief stint with local LE, then applied for federal. He's a great, smart kid, graduated top of his university class, has some backbone but is also humble, cares about people, and wants to make a difference. The kind of person that you want to go into LE. Really proud of him and a couple of the other young guys in our fam for stepping up and going into service in LE, mil, and first responder roles, despite the challenging times we're facing.
Anyway, we want to get him a nice gift for his graduation (let's say budget of $600 max). Kind of stumped as to what to get him; I don't just want to give cash or a Brownells gift certificate or whatever, because not very 'memorable' in later years. Pinged my sister, she said DEA gives them a box of stuff when they start, and he thought it was awesome compared to what he got with local LE. :-) But we aren't sure what exactly they give them, and what else might be useful. She's gonna' try to get a little more intel, so I won't buy anything until I hear back.
Meanwhile, any suggestions on what might be useful to him?
A few ideas I had, stuff which MIGHT not be provided in his agency kit:
* A high quality folding knife, engraved. For example, a Chris Reeve Sebenza. Another option would be a Microtech auto, but not sure if that's something that agents would value over just a standard folder. I've heard mixed reviews on autos from LE folks I know: a lot of regular police carry a small fixed blade, some like an auto, some like a traditional easy-opening folder.
* Quality ear pro: MSA Sordins? I'm betting the Feds gear package won't include ear pro to match MSA.
* A set of home gunsmithing tools: like this Brownells Tool Kit (https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/gunsmithing-tool-kits/basic-field-tool-kit-prod30922.aspx) and maybe add a Wiha bit set (https://www.amazon.com/Wiha-75971-Master-Micro-Travel/dp/B01AVIQPZE)
An engraved custom knife would stay on his dresser. A Micro tech auto is pretty much useless for anything more than cleaning his fingernails or being cool. Ear pros are too much like tools. Try buying you wife a washing machine for her birthday and see how it goes! I think a durable watch would be an appropriate gift. Might have trouble staying within your budget. Look at the Citizen ECO Drive series. I have been wearing one for 15 years. The only time it has been off is to clean it.
An engraved custom knife would stay on his dresser. A Micro tech auto is pretty much useless for anything more than cleaning his fingernails or being cool. Ear pros are too much like tools. Try buying you wife a washing machine for her birthday and see how it goes! I think a durable watch would be an appropriate gift. Might have trouble staying within your budget. Look at the Citizen ECO Drive series. I have been wearing one for 15 years. The only time it has been off is to clean it.
Good points. If I go knife, more of a quality working folder then, say a Zero Tolerance, something like that. Like the watch idea. Are you talking about something in the Drive series, like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-Eco-Drive-Chronograph-Stainless-CA4184-81E/dp/B00WFVF1CY
ColtSeavers
08-27-20, 19:45
A miniature Marijuana Bonzai Tree for his desk.
RioGrandeGreen
08-27-20, 20:55
Wait til he graduates with issued gat. Get him a high quality concealable holster for issued/carried gat. He will use it. Watch would be nice too.
brushy bill
08-27-20, 21:02
Nice brief case or piece of leather luggage from these guys: https://saddlebackleather.com/
Well my sister chatted with him tonight, sounds like there were 2 things he's interested in that line up with above discussion:
1. Watch
2. A quality folder
Also like the idea of getting him a quality holster, once I know the issued pistol.
Aren't the DEA issued G17 and 19?
Business_Casual
08-27-20, 21:13
You could buy him a decent suit to wear to graduation. A nice dark grey or blue flannel.
BuzzinSATX
08-27-20, 21:53
Some great ideas...nice watch, folder, light...
I think a nice pen works too as an add on...and while you can spend a lot, I’ve grown to love Retro51 pens. They have a cool LEO limited edition:
https://www.amazon.com/Retro-51-Tornado-Popper-Limited/dp/B07TJ1RSMR/ref=sr_1_36?dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjws536BRDTARIsANeUZ5-jvUXx2rjk2111XhlT5_PgsosM8ybeRWFVRf0fjX1CnkRRDVXqgvMaAvEjEALw_wcB&hvadid=176976455707&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028103&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3634928148295123439&hvtargid=kwd-1508176826&hydadcr=8652_9761155&keywords=retro+51+tornado&qid=1598583078&sr=8-36&tag=googhydr-20
This is the one I carry daily: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PNQV18/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B001PNQV18&pd_rd_w=euaXK&pf_rd_p=48d372c1-f7e1-4b8b-9d02-4bd86f5158c5&pd_rd_wg=VhdDJ&pf_rd_r=VWSQA5BCRBZER2PQ3382&pd_rd_r=bdfff486-ef4c-4fac-8e2d-a05b354f1881&smid=A1VAOWZNDCV6C6&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzQlBOVDZSOE1DNzYmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyMDUzNDQxSE9IUFFCMFpKNE5QJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1MTU3MzgzTU0xRUVSNUtQUjlRJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
Light is a good idea, I assume they must be provided some kind of WML , but a good handheld could be a nice extra. Model you'd suggest?
SureFire PX3 Fury. 1,000 lumens.
What’s his class number?
I have no idea, should I? He's with the group starting basically now, they're under 2-week quarantine before they start. They sort them into 3 groups he said a/b/c/ based on their previous experience level. He's in the lowest group but said he's good with that, it'll motivate him to work harder.
SureFire PX3 Fury. 1,000 lumens.
Nice, I'm toying with actually combining a few of the suggestions here. Just for instance:
* Surefire light: https://www.brownells.com/emergency-survival-gear/lighting/flashlights/fury-dual-fuel-tactical-lights-prod115597.aspx
* Spyderco PM2 or ZT 0562 folder: https://www.knifecenter.com/item/ZT0562CF/zero-tolerance-hinderer-0562cf-flipper-cpm-20cv-satinstonewashed-plain-blade-carbon-fiber-with-titanium-back-handle
* A nice holster
Or some other combo with a watch and one of the above.
Great suggestions from everybody.
LowSpeed_HighDrag
08-28-20, 01:47
Not a fed, but I have been a cop just shy of a decade now. Every cop needs a good, sturdy, working knife.
https://knifeinformer.com/the-best-hard-use-folding-knives/
https://everydaycarry.com/best-large-folding-knives
Get it engraved with his badge number or initials. It'll get used everyday, without fail.
As a Fed it might be difficult to keep his head on straight, even if he has some bark on. Every Federal agency is a bureaucrat's fiefdom and it can be a little soul-crushing.... A few books I wish I had gotten a hold of as a young guy, in no particular order:
Leadership in the Shadows, by Kyle Lamb
Leadership and Training for the Fight, by Paul Howe
Extreme Ownership, by Jocko Willink
Left of Bang, by Patrick Van Horne and Jason A. Riley
The Mission, The Men, and Me by Paul Blaber
The good ones teach you something each time you read them... best of luck to him.
Also, the knife, and the suit are fantastic ideas. I was given a knife by a good friend after a promotion 13 years ago, a Benchmade Griptilian, and I have used it every day since. Also, a nice suit will stand him in good stead in court and at meetings.
I have no idea, should I? He's with the group starting basically now, they're under 2-week quarantine before they start. They sort them into 3 groups he said a/b/c/ based on their previous experience level. He's in the lowest group but said he's good with that, it'll motivate him to work harder.
This thread is very coincidental. It’s pretty funny and I’ll pm you why.
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