Son just arrived at the airport

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on August 19, 2013 at 7:09pm

We've all been there Chris it will get better with time... Hang in there!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Evan Barnard on August 19, 2013 at 7:48pm

That feeling in your stomach is merely the reassurance that you are human, not a machine and that you care very much for your son - something we could use more of in society.  As someone said the days go slow, but the weeks go quick.  As for the long range concern, you will find yourself eating out less and putting more into the airfare budget at home. :) Welcome Aboard.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by RGIII on August 19, 2013 at 9:02pm

Chris,

My son must've been there with yours. I just received the "arrived at boot camp" call: "I have arrived at boot camp, in one week you will receive a box with my stuff, in two weeks I will be able to receive letters in three weeks you will receive another call from me." I said "luv you" amazingly he said "luv you" back and that was it.

Additional info for others: 

Recruiter picked him up Sunday afternoon and drove him two hours to MEPS where he checked into a hotel for the night. I got a call Monday morning about some paperwork the recruiter had forgotten (as if...) We texted throughout the day. He departed MEPS for the local airport midday. Got to ORD late afternoon then waited in ORD for several hours until at 22:00 hrs E I got the call.

TIP: If you are going to send them with toiletries to get them through the first 24-48 hours, don't forget the travel restrictions...DUH. I travel all the time and didn't realize he wouldn't be checking any bags.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scott Sabyan on August 19, 2013 at 9:11pm

The hard part for me had nothing to do with my son's decision to join the Navy or any fear that he might eventually get put in harms way.

What got to me the most was the fact that my son was a mirror image of myself.  Personality, sense of humor, interests, activities, etc.  We shared everything together and did a lot together.

I left him at the MEPS station on June 13, 2013 and drove 4 hours home.  When I got home I saw his high school baseball cap on the coat hook and took it up to his room.  That's when I lost it.  He wasn't there.  He wouldn't be there for a long time.  I couldn't see him.  I couldn't text him.  I couldn't call him.  He was gone.

I had a long 5 and half hour melt down right there in his room.

Over the next 8 weeks the letters and phone calls helped to ease a lot of those issues.

Last Friday, seeing him  and attending PIR was incredible.  An amazing formal military experience.

Hearing 960 sailors all yelling out the Sailor's Creed in unison will make every hair on your body stand on end.

Now, he is in Pensacola, FL and has his cell phone and a sense of normality is returning.

Like NavyDads Admin Gary said "We've all been there".

Trust me, the tears you have now are those of not having your son around.

But, in 8 weeks, at PIR, the tears you will have will be those of pride and the honor of being that Sailor's father.

Welcome to the Navy Family.

This site was a godsend for me when my son went to RTC, and I think you find the same thing.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John M. Kuhn on August 19, 2013 at 9:29pm

Chris, 

We live in the Houston area, and know that we won't see him much either. The day he left was hard on us because he was always at the other end of the phone, but you know, it is getting easier, and the comment about long days and short weeks is so true. Seems like he left yesterday and he will wake up in the morning to his 4th Tuesday at RTC.  For us, counting the Friday's has made it go by just a little quicker. Hang in there, be proud and when he calls, make sure he knows how proud of him you are. Welcome Aboard, and BZ to you and your son for joining the NAVY FAMILY.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by RGIII on August 19, 2013 at 9:49pm

Well Scott,

I can't exactly say I share your experience. It was a power struggle with mine since he turned 5 years old...really. I've lost track of the number of times in the last ten months where after an especially explosive encounter I thought to myself "Well, I guess that's it..won't be seeing him for a few years" Still didn't change how much I loved him and prayed for his eventual success. Even though I am Army, I was immensely proud when he told me he "PLANNED" (he actually had a plan) to join the Navy. Things always worked out and when momma and I dropped him off at the recruiter's it was a blessed but emotional moment. All will be ok. Given the outlook for the future of our country, there is no place I would rather have my sons than in the military right now.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scott Sabyan on August 19, 2013 at 10:10pm

RGIII,

As the Admiral said during my son's PIR last Friday, These are the best trained and most advanced group of graduating Sailors that the Navy has produced. 

As parents of these Warfighters, the pride is indescribable.

But the one thing that does ring true, when they say, "Welcome to the Navy Family", it is a Family.

The first good bye is the hardest when you're son/daughter leaves for RTC Great Lakes.  But that is the first of many more yet to come.

We've all been through it, and are still going through it.

Together, we lean on each other and get through it together.

I have also heard from some other dads who's son's went Navy while they had went into a different branch.

Either way, Thank you for your service, Thank you to your Sailor for his service.

Like you said, the military is the right choice for the present time.

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Evan Barnard on August 20, 2013 at 10:02am

By any chance does your son PIR on 9/20?  If so, what division is he in?

John M. Kuhn said:

Chris, 

We live in the Houston area, and know that we won't see him much either. The day he left was hard on us because he was always at the other end of the phone, but you know, it is getting easier, and the comment about long days and short weeks is so true. Seems like he left yesterday and he will wake up in the morning to his 4th Tuesday at RTC.  For us, counting the Friday's has made it go by just a little quicker. Hang in there, be proud and when he calls, make sure he knows how proud of him you are. Welcome Aboard, and BZ to you and your son for joining the NAVY FAMILY.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John M. Kuhn on August 20, 2013 at 11:55am

Our Son is in Ship 03 Div 368 and is scheduled to PIR 09-27-2013.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Evan Barnard on August 20, 2013 at 3:00pm

We'll try not to tear the place up too bad for you at PIR the week before.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Evan Barnard on August 20, 2013 at 4:03pm

Sorry.  Our son graduates the week prior on 9/20.  I was just letting you know we'll make sure the Navy still has a good reputation after he leaves, we won't buy all of the t-shirts out of the NEX etc.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Evan Barnard on August 20, 2013 at 4:46pm

It was originally intended as a reply to John Kuhn, who commented on the post.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page