Just sent my son off to boot camp

[Fzy1]

Re: Just sent my son off to boot camp

SS tell your son thank you from me as well. I am thanking you for raising a fine young man. He is now a Brother in Arms. We in the various branches pick on each other all the time. Airheads, Jarheads, Swabbies , and Army personnel but when the going gets tough we are one group. You mess with one you mess with all. There is probably a Family Readiness Group around that you can lean on if you have Questions.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Just sent my son off to boot camp

Congrats to your son. I'm sure joining up will be a great choice for him.

My cousin's daughter is headed to Navy boot camp in a few weeks. She's had a tough childhood with lots of family drama and I think the military is a great choice for her. I already told my cousin that I would be thrilled to accompany her to Chicago for boot camp graduation and am looking forward to it.

 

[emoney]

Re: Just sent my son off to boot camp

SS, don't sweat the "no contact" yet. I sent my son off to Navy boot about 18months ago and it was the same thing, "should get a letter in about aweek, blah". It ended up being closer to 3 weeks, but all was still well when I did get to talk to him. I can relate to your pain, because it does hurt and deep, but, he's doing exactly what he wanted to do and you can be proud of that. It takes some getting used to, but eventually time will soften things and you'll get a little more accustomed to the "no contact". At least boot will be over soon and then he'll hit "A" school and communication with improve greatly.

I'm sure you're already on top of it, but make sure to send him cards & letters as often as you can. My son told me that the most depressing thing he's ever seen were young men/women that "didn't" get anything during mail call. Those letters and cards keep things grounded for him and will be the highlight of his time there, regardless of if he responds in the same or not. Oh, and mail him a phone card or two as well because he'll hit a point where they are allowed to make a phone call.

Be proud you've raised a good son and make sure he knows we all appreciate his sacrifice. Good luck.

 

[BosnBill]

Re: Just sent my son off to boot camp

Just wanted to reinforce and encourage the letters like several other posters already have. For me, mail call was the best part of the day. You come back from a hard day in the field wanting to hear from home. It's the only communication with the outside world and the people you love during the 6-8 week training.

I remember when my son went off to college I had to choke off the pain that welled up inside. My wife was standing next to me after we all embraced, eyes soaked with tears. We watched him stroll away by himself into a new future. He played 3 sports, year round since he was 9 and our social life revolved around him and his friend's parents. That stopped abruptly forever with his last Legion game in August. My wife and I felt empty without him. He continued with baseball in college and post college, but it was never the same. We got over it of course. We still had boating. To my knowledge it effected us more than him. He had a new sense of purpose; we had a vast void.

I feel what you're going through SS. You're raising a man. God bless him for his service to his country!

 

[sswheeler]

Re: Just sent my son off to boot camp

WHOO HOOOO !!!! I got a postcard with his address today ! We mailed 8 letters! It sounds silly but I didn't want to put that card down. Just knowing that he filled it out. Once again, THANKS TO EVERYONE! Its good to know that the feelings I'm having are normal and others have been through it too. I've always considered myself a pretty tough guy. Like most of us, I've been through some hard times, but I'll have to say this is the hardest thing I've ever done. Now, I'm looking forward to the phone call, Hopefully this weekend !

Today was a good day !

 

[sswheeler]

Re: Just sent my son off to boot camp

Got a phone call today !!!! only 7 mins long but it was great to hear from him. He said it was HELL but he was loving it! LOL

 

[sotwstd]

Re: Just sent my son off to boot camp

First off let me pound my chest, I am a tough guy, I dont cry......very often. Well I just signed into this forum for the first time for boating reasons, lol, now I'm all teared up in my office, thanks My wife and I are prepping for this with our son and your story really hit home! I spent my time in the Air Force and LOVED it, my son would like to join the Air Force also and we are currently looking to meet with a recruiter. He is just turning 16 but time flies & I know my wife and I will be feeling the emotions that you are feeling soon enough. We are such a close family and as I dropped him off at his friends this morning before work I still get the big hug & kiss from him then he says "Love you Dad." I have wondered for years at what point he will get embarrased to do that in front of his friends, 3rd grade...6th grade....high school, nope, he still gives mom and I a huge hug, kiss & and "I love you" as we drop him off at school (with his friends watching, lol). Well I guess it will just have to happen when he heads out for basic training. <---- see, you got me all emotional now, lol. Ok, enough about my son, its you and your family who are going through this right now. As a lot have stated before me, let the letters fly! I as all others in basic would wait eagerly for mail, we would all sit on the floor as our TI would pass out mail, if your name wasnt called you would just have an empty feeling (probably similar to what you are feeling). It didnt matter what the letter said, just the fact that you could hold "home" in your hands, it was the warmest feeling I had for 6 weeks! My family made it down for graduation and that was amazing, make sure to bring the tissue! Thank you for sharing this part of you life with the forum, it has definitely hit home with me! Give your son a huge hug when you see him in a few weeks and tell him how proud we all are!

P.S. Hi forum, Im the new guy