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Appropriate gift for a U.S Marine's retirement?

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Jagdaddy

Head Coach
A friend of mine is retiring from the USMC Reserves after 30 years (the first few years active duty and the rest in the reserves). He's a full Colonel and is having a somewhat formal retirement party (dress unis of some sort for military and business attire for civilians) that will consist of a short ceremony and then a cocktail hour/small food sort of thing.

I want to acknowledge his service appropriately, but don't know the etiquette for a retirement party (military or otherwise) and don't want to be either the only person who brings a gift where it's not the norm or the only guy who doesn't . . .
 
yes, a gift would be appropriate...

there are some pretty neat marine afghan/throws/blankets out there, you could always have it personalized ...

a nice bottle of scotch, a decanter and you could add a personal touch by purchasing glasses as well and having one of them engraved with cpl blah, blah on it... (or brandy and snifters...) get the idea?
 
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Jagdaddy;977267; said:
I want to acknowledge his service appropriately, but don't know the etiquette for a retirement party (military or otherwise) and don't want to be either the only person who brings a gift where it's not the norm or the only guy who doesn't . . .
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You could punch a squid for him...
 
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And it is on sale too. :biggrin:

PAAAAAFKPIBOGMAB.jpg


Marine Department
 
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Jagdaddy;977267; said:
A friend of mine is retiring from the USMC Reserves after 30 years (the first few years active duty and the rest in the reserves). He's a full Colonel and is having a somewhat formal retirement party (dress unis of some sort for military and business attire for civilians) that will consist of a short ceremony and then a cocktail hour/small food sort of thing.

I want to acknowledge his service appropriately, but don't know the etiquette for a retirement party (military or otherwise) and don't want to be either the only person who brings a gift where it's not the norm or the only guy who doesn't . . .
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No presents are needed for a formal military retirement party, unless you are either a really close friend or a member of the unit. These types of ceremonies usually have a gift or two from sections within the unit and then a gift or two from personal friends, and of which will be presented to him personally during the ceremony. It's a little different than a birthday party where everyone is expected to bring a gift or a civilian retirement party presents are set aside from opening later.

At least that's how the retirement ceremonies in the Air Force were (and I've been to a shit-load of them). You may want to contact his exec officer to confirm the proper Marine protocol...
 
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MililaniBuckeye;977465; said:
No presents are needed for a formal military retirement party, unless you are either a really close friend or a member of the unit. These types of ceremonies usually have a gift or two from sections within the unit and then a gift or two from personal friends, and of which will be presented to him personally during the ceremony. It's a little different than a birthday party where everyone is expected to bring a gift or a civilian retirement party presents are set aside from opening later.

At least that's how the retirement ceremonies in the Air Force were (and I've been to a shit-load of them). You may want to contact his exec officer to confirm the proper Marine protocol...
Click to expand...

Thanks, I had a hunch that things might be kind of like that. I'm not close enough to the guy to give a gift in a formal ceremony, but I think I'll provide a decent bottle of scotch at a later time just to be civilized.
 
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