The Adventure Begins!
Dropped my son off at the recruiter's office yesterday to send him off on his great adventure and his new life. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. We've been very tight for 24 years and all in one swoop there is an instant and long separation. I remember the day he called me on the way home from his physical in August. It got real when I heard him say"Dad, I ship on December 1st." Gulp!
I am so happy for him because it is the culmination of a lot of hard work and this something he has always wanted to do. He has transformed his body from a somewhat pudgy kid to a buff young man. He lost 35lbs. in 6 months to meet the weight requirements and has disciplined himself to stay well under the weight limit during DEP. He and I rode 1000's of miles on bikes, ran and did P90X over the course of a year to make sure he was physically ready.
Being a Navy vet myself I was able to help guide him, as much as possible, through the recruiting process. Helping him understand the difference between legitimate information and inflated reality was important. I may have angered his recruiters once or twice but I didn't want to hear any of their canned sales pitches. I know they are just doing their job but it's more important for a prospective recruit to get what they want and get it writing. I fell victim to that during my enlistment and I wasn't going to let it happen to him.
That being said, my son is on his way. He will start his in processing tonight. I tried to help prepare him mentally because the first week, especially the first 48 hours were going to suck. I'd love to be a fly on the wall.
Comment
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Comment by Hello2u on January 21, 2015 at 10:45pm
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i just had a thought i personally this boot camp is for the parents teaching us to let go first you have them than you dont than you have them for awhile than you dont more training than you have them back for a bit than you dont they get stationed by that time you get used to the idea that their out there doing something wonderful deep inside you still miss them even if their a phone call away than you realize their there own young man on a mission but without your help than my friend we realize how our own parents felt lately i spend more time with them wow what bc can teach :( and :)
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Comment by John DeNardo on January 21, 2015 at 8:20pm
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My 25 year old son left for boot camp on January 9th. It was really hard saying goodbye but I managed to keep it together. I cried later because we were pretty close, got along well and got to be good friends. I was always use to talking to him and now I find myself missing him a lot now that he's in boot camp. I'm glad he's doing something he likes, is independent and proud of himself. I'm hoping it gets easier as time go's on and am looking forward to seeing him on graduation. As a parent you always want your child to be independent, autonomous, and have a career. At the same time you always want a little of that child who needs you and wants to be with you.......
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believe me i would rather have my boys in there before their 21st bdays so the streets dont claim them!
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Comment by Michael R. Baty on January 5, 2015 at 3:33pm
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I too just dropped my Son off at the recruiters today. We'll meet up with him tonight for dinner, Mom will cry, and I myself will be choked up with pride.
Tomorrow, Jan. 7th, 2015, he'll wake up on his 19th birthday in a whole new world.
I wish him the best and have no doubt he will be an outstanding Sailor.
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that sounded like me when I dropped him off too I told him I had allergies so that's why my eyes were watery had to keep my self up to avoid being dramic and cry like a big baby that was a year ago still miss him even when his now a couple hours away lol
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