Well, the time has come...

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Permalink Reply by Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom on April 5, 2015 at 10:55am

Welcome Jim! You and your wife are in for a very emotional couple of months....the "RollerCoaster" of emotions will run from tears to elation. I promise you that the reward is worth the journey! Use this site as a resource of information and support. You are becoming part of the Navy Family. Post any and all questions that may come up.....as you noted, there are many Dads who have been there and will offer your family the wealth of their experiences! Congrats to your SR and best of luck as he begins his journey!

 

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Permalink Reply by Earl Ahmay on April 8, 2015 at 12:02pm

James,

I know the exact feelings you are having about your son. My son left on March 24. I took him myself and even stayed in the same hotel he did. We were together the next day until he got on the bus. I miss him very much and like you I am very proud of his decision to join the Navy and follow through. He was in the DEP for almost 9 months and I know that made it even harder on him with leaving all of his friends and basically starting a new life. He was able to call me on Saturday which was a surprise for both of us. He sounded good but I could detect in his voice that he was home sick though we didn't mention it to each other. The conversation wasn't long but I told him how proud I was of him and let him know he can accomplish anything he puts his mind to. I received his form letter in the mail letting us know that he graduates 22May15. I have already written two letters to him giving encouragement and praise. Good luck to your son and all who are going through this journey.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Alex Abercrombie on April 9, 2015 at 3:28pm

James,

You are correct that it is a roller coaster of emotions. My Sailor left for boot camp on December 4th, 2014 and the next few weeks were the hardest! He is our only child, which made it even harder (no siblings to keep our minds occupied). But, let me reassure you that today was easier than yesterday and tomorrow will be easier than today. Blink twice and you are making preparations for his PIR, twice more and you will be there eagerly awaiting the announcement of "Liberty call, Liberty call", so you can hug your Sailor! It gets REALLY easier when the get to A-school and you can phone and skype them!!! For your younger two children, may I suggest that you all look up the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (www.seacadets.org). Sea Cadets enjoy (endure) some of the same experiences as Navy enlisted sailors, from coursework, modified boot camp, advanced trainings, etc. Also, if they achieve an E-3 rank in the Sea Cadets, they typically rank up to E-3 upon graduation from Navy boot camp. Check it out and let me know if you have any questions about it.

Patrick Abercrombie

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Permalink Reply by Jay Harmon on April 9, 2015 at 7:28pm

My son arrived Great Lakes 4/7. Got the phone call. Witnessed the Swearing In ceremony. I've never been more proud of my son and HIS decision. That said, in my opinion there is no way that you can prepare for this. I went through Navy Boot Camp 35 years ago and there is absolutely no comparison to watching your own child walk to the airport bus. Well, I guess we are all now the "Fleet behind the Fleet". Great website, thank you.

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Permalink Reply by Ken R on April 13, 2015 at 11:16pm

Hey James enjoyed reading your story  about your son.our son shipped out on April 9th  after awaking at 4 am to go to meps swearing in glad we got to be there for that. A long wait at the airport from delayed flight from storms in Illinois he finally arrived in Chicago at 10.30 that evening said he was going to eat then he called at 2:30 am to say he made it , i felt so bad for him. Then came the seperation anxiety my wife and i cried for days. At one time i even felt that we sent him to a torture camp but i knew that was the devil playing  with my mind.  we realize that joining the Navy is a good thing for him and that the opportunities  for him in life to learn teamwork and responsibilities  is what's  best for him we are proud of him and will miss him while he is gone, but the ability to see the world and make great friends are endless so our family will continue to pray for your son and family and we ask the same together we are proud Navy parents ! I have to say though  the feeling of pride and joy that we experienced  of  our son joining is like no other that we ever felt ,because we always want the opritunties  for our children to be greater than what ours was ! Navy proud see ya at PIR ! 

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