Gifts for a Retired Marine: Practical and Memorable Presents

15 Great Gifts for a Retired Marine

So what should you get your Marine retiree? Here’s a list of ideas that fit everyone regardless of how many years they spent in service.

Comic Covers And Strips

If that seems too much, you can go for a comic strip, which will still let you hold up snippets of their adventures in a cool way. This gift allows them to relive their career with a touch of humor and creativity—and helps them reminisce without reliving the heavier times. That makes it a great and unique keepsake.

Custom Comic Book Series

Commission a military comic book series that highlights different chapters of your Marine friend’s career. Each issue can focus on a particular mission, location, or memorable moment from their service. This series will allow them to relive their experiences after retirement and share their story with friends and family in an interesting way.

Personalized Comic Poster

Don’t know how to get something so elaborate? Try this instead. Get a comic poster featuring your Marine friend in an epic or heroic pose. This custom art piece can depict them in their Marine uniform or in an action-packed scene, showcasing their service and adventures. It’s a fun and unique way to honor their career and give them something they can proudly display on their wall.

Pet Portrait

A custom pet portrait is a heartfelt gift for a Marine who loves their pet. If they already have a beloved animal, this portrait solidifies the bond they share. If they’re getting a new pet, it’s a great way to celebrate their new companion. Either way, it adds a personal touch to their retirement and they’ll appreciate the effort you went through for them.

Presidential Retirement Letters

Help your Marine buddy feel truly honored by gathering congratulatory letters from every president who served during their military career. You can usually get those from the WHS or WhiteHouse.gov sites. These letters are a powerful reminder of the respect and gratitude they've earned. When you frame them up, they become a meaningful tribute, making your friend’s service a part of history.

Personalized Pocket Knife

A personalized pocket knife is a great gift that your Marine will appreciate. Not only is it a handy tool, but you can make it special by engraving their rank or a memorable date. Every time they use it, they'll remember their time in the Corps and the bond they share with you as a friend. Do remember though, don’t get anything too ornate, those are a bit too unwieldy. Unless you know the person appreciates cool art, that is. In that case, something like these could work.

Semper Fi Sign

Add a bit of Marine pride to their home with a “Semper Fi” bar sign. It’s perfect for their man cave or other personal spaces, showing off their dedication to the Corps while they relax with friends. Not merely decor—it’s a proud statement that keeps their Marine spirit alive at home.

Beard Trimmer

A beard trimmer is both a practical self-care gift and a bit humorous, especially since many Marines grow a beard after retiring. It’s a nod to their freedom from military grooming standards and helps them keep their new look sharp as they adjust to civilian life.

Necktie

Support your Marine as they step into the civilian world with a sleek necktie. Whether they need it for job interviews or formal events, a nice tie can help them look sharp and feel confident. This fashion gift is a simple yet thoughtful way to show you care as they start this new chapter.

Tattoo Gift Certificate

A gift certificate for a new tattoo is great for a Marine who appreciates body art. It allows them to choose a design that reflects their service and personal journey. This gift lets them celebrate their retirement in a way that’s meaningful to them, whether adding to an existing tattoo or starting a new one. And it lets them show off how tough they are.

Custom Engraved Firearm Slide

Is your Marine into firearms? A custom engraved slide is a cool, thoughtful gift. Personalize it with their rank or the Marine Corps emblem to turn a regular item into something unique. It’s a way to honor their service while indulging their passion for firearms. There’s no FFL transfer needed—and if you could even mix in an EGA.

Shadow Box or Marine Sword

A shadow box or Marine NCO sword offers a classic way to honor your Marine’s career. Use the shadow box to display their medals and memorabilia, or choose the Marine sword to symbolize their honor and tradition. Both gifts allow them to proudly showcase their achievements in the USMC and reflect on their service.

Tickets to Vegas

If they’re still seeming a bit glum- send your Marine buddy off to Las Vegas for a fun-filled celebration of their retirement. After years of hard work, they deserve to let loose and enjoy all the entertainment Vegas has to offer. This gift promises unforgettable memories and marks the start of their next adventure.

Coin Deck

If your Marine collects challenge coins, a coin deck is the perfect gift. It’s a stylish display that helps them organize and show off their collection. Each coin tells a story, and this gift lets those stories shine, celebrating their dedication and preserving memories from deployments and the rest of their Marine journey.

Why Do People Suggest Crayons As Gifts For Marines?

Ah. That. The crayon box as a Marine retirement gift is a running joke among military circles. Marines are often teased for being tough but not necessarily book-smart, leading to the joke that they "eat crayons." It’s all in good fun and meant to share a laugh with those in the know. So when someone suggests crayons, it’s a tongue-in-cheek nod to this inside joke, and yes, Marines will definitely get it! If you want, you can even give the person a gift like that first, before giving them the actual gift from what you picked above.