The 900 Divisions

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on July 11, 2012 at 12:57am

I truly believe that this general perception of the 900 DIV is demeaning! Just because these SRs happened to be blessed with musical talent, drill and ceremony experience (JROTC) in addition to their own natural abilities, it does NOT mean that they are any lesser than their counter-parts and peers in bootcamp and/or in the Navy in general! My son was not in this div but thankfully it existed otherwise, we would have attended graduation/PIR in silence... :P

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on July 11, 2012 at 1:03am

John,

Please extend my BZ!! to Aaron... ;)

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Permalink Reply by John Rudolph on July 11, 2012 at 11:12am

I think what triggered it off was when my wife spotted another over in navy moms declare "I am GLAD my son isn't in the 900 division" made HER think that "this isn't good" so I had to assure her that it's okay. And, with that, she's seen negative remarks about the 900 divisions on Facebook as well, and in other forums.

I think my past experience with doing a career in the navy and being at boot camp has helped her out a lot though. I even told her to re-read the first part of my book where I tell everything about my own personal account of being in boot camp - and that helps her. She is going through the empty nest syndrome, I think it's something that dads often brush to the side - but our wives, they take it differently than we do. 

So with that, maybe we need to listen more to our wives. However, I can rest assure all of you in here - that our kids are actually going through the time of their lives even though it might be the toughest challenge they've ever faced. Deep down they are excited about their future, and they anticipate it. Most of these kids will walk out of boot camp and have learned something new about themselves.

So summing this up, all of you guys who have kids in a 900 division - it's a darn good thing! Some of them might even do more than one PIR so that gives them more experience with the overall military disciplines they must adapt to prior to departing Glakes.

Thanks all for listening and appreciate the feedback!

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Permalink Reply by John Rudolph on July 11, 2012 at 11:13am

Thanks Gary, I will do that!

NavyDads Group Admin, Gary said:

John,

Please extend my BZ!! to Aaron... ;)

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Permalink Reply by Charles Brian Davis on July 20, 2012 at 5:38pm

My son shipped this week & is in a 900 division. My wife & I both have heard/read negative but only because it's more work than the other divisions. I don't think my son would have volunteered because he's not one to do more than the minimum so we figure he was strongly encouraged to volunteer. He probably didn't have a choice since he's in the Navy Band. I wonder if he will perform at his own PIR? Anyone?

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Permalink Reply by John Rudolph on July 22, 2012 at 3:39pm

Charles, he may possibly perform at his own PIR. I'm fine with my son being in a 900 division. Lots of negative things on 900 divisions my wife picks up over at Navy Moms however. There's this odd perception that, if our recruits are assigned to a 900 division, they have to work harder, and human nature translates to "that sucks, he's going to work harder than anyone else so that means being in a 900 division is a bad thing." Personally? I think it's good for my son to be in a 900 division.

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Permalink Reply by Chuck on July 22, 2012 at 5:15pm

My son was in a 900 Division ans enjoyed his Boot Camp Experience.  He ended up in the Honor Guard for at least 2 graduations including his own.

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