All Blog Posts (898)

By this time I'm sure my son has been bombarded with letters galore from family and friends. I do realize with the very limited time they all have in boot camp, that he may or may not be able to respond to all or if any, of the letters that he's received.

I don't expect any letters back from him while in bootcamp though I'd be thrilled if I get anything after the first. The family and I know that we've sent him our well wishes and letters of support. That's all about what we…

Is the military for every one?

I love my girlfriend and want to be with her. The more I learn about the military the more I believe it may not be a good fit for me.

When your girlfriend joins the military she belongs to them. You can choose to be a part of that system if you like.

Things I am having a hard time with. She is in boot camp and this is stressful to me for a verity of reasons. These are soldiers they work closely together and the…

I just found this website and joined.  My #1 son is in week 4 at Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes.  He will be an HM.  I miss him alot.  I am so proud of him

The responses

So far the feedback I have received to my thoughts has been mixed. Here is the funny thing. The mixed responses I am reading are not between posts but within posts. Put in another way Joes comment does not conflict with Jims, rather Joes conflicts with Joes. For example, The response generally starts off with me being selfish, then concludes by saying some of these things are not easy.

I have had no one in my immediate life go through this. This…

Today I received a letter from my son. It surely made my day! He misses all of us at home and most especially the Bay Area food and the home cooked meals…

He talked a little bit about his experiences and the challenges of RTC. It’s hard work; little free time on Sunday’s and will put one’s mind, body and soul to the test of self discovery – what you’re truly made of.

Though he hasn’t received any of our letters yet, I wanted to thank all of you at NavyDads.Com…

Oliver's mom received the form letter today that we've all been waiting for. I gather she’s the lucky one who got the letter and I on the other hand, ended up with the box of his dirty laundry LOL - go figure! It's all good though…

On the back side he wrote her a short comment. From what she tells me our SR is culture shocked with the instant transition to military life to say the least which is not uncommon but he's very optimistic. I’m certain that this status is shared by…

I should have posted this a month ago, my daughter Kaitelyn Mercer has now served over a full year, and I am so proud and amazed at what she has accomplished during that time.  Basic training, an impressive accomplishment by itself, advanced training at Pensacola, and ongoing security training as an E-2 with the Roosevelt carrier(the "Big Stick", love that name) in Norfolk.  We visited back in July and I was impressed with everything I saw, although we didn't actually get to go on base. …

Today I received my son's civilian box which contained all of his personal belongings that he had with him on the day he left for RTC which was exactly seven days ago.

As I opened the box, I couldn’t help but get sentimental. After all we all miss him so much!

Eagerly waiting for the form letter, I hope it comes soon...

Awe, this is Killing me - Waiting to hear My Daughter is Doing & If she pasted..Last letter was Dated 9/15...I know they said "No News is Good News" but Man - this is rough..Maybe it be easier if My Baby Girl was a Young Man - LOL... I see they Put up on the Website some Notification for the new Sailor's for the PIR on 9/23..Come on Phone (ring) &/or U.S. Postal with the Great News

I received a call from my son Oliver last night at around 21:30 PST from his day one at RTC. He sounded a bit rushed but okay. He was trying to get as many phone calls out as allowed. I'm to expect a letter in the mail in a week or two.

Until we talk again Son!

I want to send my well wishes and prayers to all of the new recruits on base. God Bless You All...

Just wondering if anyone else has a loved one in Ship 11 Div 361?

Thank you ~ Melissa

My Son, My Sailor, My Hero

Poem Written By:  Paige Robbins

September 2011

The years since your birth have come and gone in a hurry.

And even though you’re grown now, I still often worry.

I’ve watched you change from boy into a man,

Knowing it's one small part of God’s plan.

Always determined to be successful in life,

You set goals for yourself and follow them in strife.

Your unwavering…

Hi all can anyone tell me what the sharp shooter award is the thing i cant find out is what is the one with the silver  S on it please advise

Thanks

Dave

     Hello all. My son just made a 2-minute call. He's had to get therapy for his knees (I think too many years of karate). So they changed his ship/division from 03/336 to 04/341, which puts him at a 14 Oct PIR. He sounded okay, for as short as we got to speak to him.

     His Mom teared up something awful after her 10 seconds on the phone with him.

     Plus, he had a wisdom tooth removed right before he sent us his first (and only so far) letter.

My son Kyle is in Ship 11 division 322,anyone else out there?

My daughters' PIR is 9-16 and we were wondering whether to take her civilian clothes for when she arrives at A school in San Diego. How long before they are allowed to wear civies?

My son left last Thurs with a Seal K and is Boot Camp now.  We plan on attending the PIR and had also planned on attending the post Coronado pinning. But, as I recently learned (by virtue of this blog) there is no pinning ceremony.  I (We) appreciate all and any info regarding follow-on training post PIR.