Navy Dads

It has been a long period of time since I have seen my son after sitting with him at MEPS on June 13th and the hard part as a father of choking back tears while saying "good bye"  or "see you soon" to my son.

He has always been a "miniature me" as some people call it because of how much we are alike and how much we do together.

I joined this website all those weeks ago in hopes of getting an understanding of what the normal transition is for a father who's son goes off to the Navy.  Trust me, after having a five and a half hour emotional melt down in my son's room as soon as I got home after dropping him off, I needed something to help keep me grounded.

I knew about the Navy Mom's website because of the recruiters  but had never heard of this site.  Once I found it and started some chats here and there and after reading previous  discussions, I understood that I was not the only person who's been through this or had the same feelings of uncertainty.

Ever since my son was in the 4th grade, he wanted to join the Navy, and I've got his "What do I want to be when I grow up" letter from that grade to prove it.  His teacher from  back then saved all those letters and gave them back after they graduated high school.

Today, I got the call that all of us on this site have waited on pins and needles to get.  My son's division completed "Battle Stations 21" (BS21) and he is officially now a Sailor in the world's most powerful Navy. 

THANK YOU to those of you who have created and administered this website.

THANK YOU to those of you who have been through this part of your sailor's training and are willing to help the "new parents" adapt.

THANK YOU to "Sarge" for the "Meet and Greet".   There are several of us coming from Minnesota for my son's  graduation and we can not begin to explain how much the information you provide during the dinner means.   We full well plan on attending the "Meet and Greet" next week and donating as much as we can.  What you "Sarge" are providing to the parents of the recruits is more than can ever have a value attached to it.

Thursday, August 15th, we will all be at the Sundance Saloon.

Friday, August 16th, we will all be at PIR.

Saturday, August 17th, my son goes to A-School In Pensacola Florida for 5-7 months.

I just want to thank those of you who have  been through this for your information and suggestions during this time.  Hopefully I will be able to some day help the new people on this site to understand what their child is going through and what to expect as much as you have all helped me.

Thank you again and good night.

 

 

 

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Well said Scott! You'll love PIR....watch tomorrow's ceremony (check the main page) to get psyched and to see what you are in for!

Hey. Can you tell me about the call?

Hi Cody,

I believe that the call that Scott is referring to is the call that you will receive when your wife finishes Battle Stations 21 and graduates from a Sailor Recruit to a Sailor.

Here is a link so you have an idea what Battle Stations will be like for her http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jibm7kyIGcM

If you have not seen them the Navy Dads Boot Camp Videos are interesting and helped give me an idea what my son was going through while he was away at boot camp.  http://www.navydads.com/forum/topics/boot-camp-videos-1

Enjoy watching them... I hope this helps

Take care, Rob

P.S. Keep writing to her every chance you get. The letters make a huge difference :)



Cody Baird said:

Hey. Can you tell me about the call?

Cody,

Sorry I didn't reply back sooner.  I've just been busy with work and other things and am just now getting around to checking back in on the site and my email.

Yes, the call I am referring to is the one you will receive when your recruit has completed BS21.  It's also known as the "I'm a Sailor" call.

The sense of confidence, pride, and accomplishment your recruit feels is very evident in the emotions they experience when calling home that time. 

They've all been broken down systematically, physically and mentally at the start of RTC and built back up with confidence and pride.

When you hear that in their voice, you get emotional yourself.

At my son's PIR, to hear 960 sailors in unison reciting the Sailor's Creed as loud as they could is chilling.

PIR again is emotional too.

Especially when you haven't seen your recruit since MEPS and they are standing right there in front of you.

When they announce "Liberty Call", try not to be trampled by the massive crowd streaming out onto the drill deck.

How is your recruit coming along?

Any good news in letters or phone calls?

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