Call # 2.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Wolfslau on May 30, 2013 at 11:37pm

Good to hear... We weren't expecting a call for at least another week when our son was able to call home (the Saturday before Mother's Day). Perfect gift for my wife. He was able to call again a week later as a reward, and then again for Armed Forces Day. Each one was a thrill. Each call had a different tone. Looking forward to the next call after Battle stations!!

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Permalink Reply by Carl G. on May 31, 2013 at 12:57pm

I'm happy for you.  Some of the letters I received from my son concerned me.  He sounded bad.  Homesick, stressed out, sad.  But I received a letter last week and he sounds much more upbeat.  Can't wait to see him in 2 weeks.

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on May 31, 2013 at 1:04pm

got to understand that a lot of those letters are simply your sailors venting......they really don't have any other option...at about 4 weeks in everything starts to change.....they accept what they are learning, they accept doing things the Navy way, and the RDCs have eased off. 

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Permalink Reply by Dave Wolfslau on May 31, 2013 at 2:39pm

Exactly. I had to remind my wife of this. The last letter we received was definitely a positive one. All were positive, but you could tell he missed the freedoms he had prior to basic. Each one had a more upbeat tenor. He knew what to expect, and has handled it well, yet can't wait for this stage to be over. It's definitely a stage they all go through.

NavyDads Admin (Paul) said:

got to understand that a lot of those letters are simply your sailors venting......they really don't have any other option...at about 4 weeks in everything starts to change.....they accept what they are learning, they accept doing things the Navy way, and the RDCs have eased off. 

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on May 31, 2013 at 2:48pm

the first three weeks are tough as the RDCs go overboard to overload them with stuff....it helps keep their minds off missing home.  They have to "reduce" everyone to a common starting point and get them all receptive to learning what they need to in the way they need to.  Lots of yelling and repetition.  At about week 4 there is shift in the tactics the RDCs use and they start to really focus on learning and working together...

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