New Recruit Dads

As my son is graduating this Friday, I thought I would pass on some of my experiences to hopefully make it easier on you.

Know that you will recieve a phone call from your Recruit the night they get to Great Lakes RTC (recruit Training Center) They can not talk much but it is a relief to hear their voice. It will be about two-three weeks before you get your "Form" letter. It gives their mailing address and a short note. It will also give your a predicted PIR (parade in review, Graduation date) and information. KEEP this letter. You will need it .

I would suggest you start writing letters as soon as they leave. Not things that will upset them but things they will enjoy about the family. You can mail them after you get their address. I put clean jokes I downloaded one at a time. Good news articles. perhaps a Easy crossword or hard if they like to do them. I got a small pocket sized motivational book and tore out 4-5 pages and included it in my letters. Some just silly stuff to give them a boost for a little while.

He is my second to serve, as well as myself a long time ago. My other son, a Marine, also says the letters meant a lot. I encouraged him throughout boot camp as well as infintry school. It is a little un-natural today. We don't write letters like we used to. Just pick up the phone. That makes it hard on us as well as them, to not be in easy contact. We have to adjust for them and provide support from our end. They are going through a life changing event and need us to be there for them. It is just as hard , if nor harder for them to write as it is for us. Don't let " I don't know what to say" worry you. Just write down what's going on. We may look at it and think "How boring" our life is, but it a connection for them to home. They don't need any bad news. Keep the drama to yourself. Give them your love and support.