What is your opinion on personalized PCS gifts versus a standard for everyone?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 08:23:52 -0500

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Jan 11 at 2017 8:32 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 08:32:15 -0500

There's always room for compromise...A standard with a personalized inscription?

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jan 11 at 2017 8:35 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 08:35:23 -0500

So often I have to ask about the details of the question to give a complete answer BUT there is nothing wrong with giving a personal gift but I think a lot would be dependent upon the detail of the capacity of the gift giver and the relationship between the gift giver and receiver(s)?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 11 at 2017 8:42 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 08:42:10 -0500

Rather then standardized gift, I'd prefer to see something individual, but at standardized price point.
I was not a fan of some PSG getting a 3x6 wood plaque with brass plate and the CDR getting a set of colors mounted in a frame, or the 1SG getting a high zoot fishing reel engraved and SSG Shmuck getting a orderly room printed thanks for being here form letter in a supply room purchased frame.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Jan 11 at 2017 9:07 AM

1SG Al Brown — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 09:07:09 -0500

A combination of a standard design template (plaque, shadow box?), with short personalized inscriptions or additional coins, brass, knife, inert fuse ignitor, inert training item, etc. is great, because it is personal...... and in-expensive. Those types of awards are the only ones hanging in my office today.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jan 11 at 2017 9:34 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 09:34:55 -0500

Not in favor of the standard gift for everyone. Personalization means you put some thought into it. It shows you cared. Even if you add a little gag into it, it's showing that you were actually thinking about that person.

I bet 5 or 10 years down the road someone would look at a personalized gift and it'd still bring a smile to their face because at one point in time someone appreciated them.

I remember when my NCO was getting out of the Marine Corps, I put together this really nice going away gift and I actually moved them to tears.

One thing I learned about the military is we don't always show our appreciation for our fellow troops. So giving them a good send off really makes a difference.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2017 9:39 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 09:39:23 -0500

I left active duty as a lowly SPC, having never PCS'd. Fort Riley was a black hole from which escape was unlikely, except to breath Korea's fresh air and then return to the tornados. As a result, my experience is that of an ETS gift and likely less relevant to you. I didn't receive an award, either. What I did receive was a small replica of the Medic statue on display in front of the AMEDD museum from my Aid Station. I don't mind telling you, it made me cry. It remains the nicest gift I have ever received and is only more valuable as it came from the finest men I have ever known.

No "standard gift" could have had that effect on me. My own 2 cents.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2017 9:58 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 09:58:31 -0500

I'm all for them.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jan 11 at 2017 11:12 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 11:12:54 -0500

Nothing says you didn't matter to a unit more than a generic mass-produced "standard" gift. That being said, you don't have to go "all out" for a mediocre performer but it isn't difficult to come up with something personalized for an individual. Something along the lines of what 1SG Al Brown has suggested is what I'm thinking here.

Response by SGT David T. made Jan 11 at 2017 12:27 PM

SGT David T. — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 12:27:33 -0500

I personally think personalized is the way to go. It shows the person that they were valued.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Jan 11 at 2017 12:43 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 12:43:05 -0500

i think the penalized gifts should be presented in a smaller audience setting. i remember soldiers that were either leaving the unit, ETSing, or retiring and i never knew them...i felt uncomfortable. after leaving my units of assignment, i was always glad to have left with my rank in tact!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2017 2:40 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 14:40:55 -0500

I've gotten both in the past but of course the personalized one stands out a little more because it tailored to one of my hobbies at the time. Still have it to this day.