How much time together on day he leaves?

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 26, 2016 at 9:57am

I would go to MEPS and watch him get sworn in the 12th.....you might not have much time, but it will be most memorable. 

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads CoAdmin Jim Gramza on March 26, 2016 at 11:09am

I would agree with Paul. We didn't get to go to MEPS for our son's swearing in. I wish we had, but didn't even know how that all worked. His recruiter hardly spoke to us.

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Permalink Reply by Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom on March 26, 2016 at 11:35am

   I would go to MEPS if I were you. It is a proud moment (and emotional) to watch your Son take his oath. It is hard to watch them head off into the unknown....that's where Navy Dads comes in! Watch the videos in the Boot Camp group to get a feel for what your Son will be doing. We got to spend a last few hours with our Daughter before she left....and I wouldn't have missed it!

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Permalink Reply by Brett on March 26, 2016 at 11:47am

We did get a chance at the end of last summer to see him take his oath at a big event. We had a local rodeo in our town and during the event each branch of the service brought a group out and was sworn into their respective branch by a commander. He gave a great speech about country, duty service and sacrifice. It was a great ceremony and the flags were flying, the horses were racing around the group and blasting patriotic songs. Not a dry eye in the house, everyone in the crowd was moved. I don't know if we can beat that but I sure want to be there for him and spend every moment possible with him. 

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Permalink Reply by Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom on March 26, 2016 at 1:00pm

Honestly....his request is probably more for his benefit...will be tough saying goodbye....but he will appreciate it....

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 26, 2016 at 1:14pm

totally concur with Tom's comment.....the ceremony you saw is not as impactful as the official "welcome" to the US Navy....

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Permalink Reply by Scott Talley on March 27, 2016 at 5:33am

I concur with these other fine fellows. Go to MEPS, video the swearing in.  I still watch Kami's and tear up the moment she turns to us with that " omg, what am I doing look ".  She was then taken to the hotel, we met her there and went to dinner for our goodbyes.  Whether you go to dinner or not, the goodbyes are the same.  Everyone is left with a sense of wonderment, pride, love and a fear of the unknown and uncontrollable.  It's a beautiful moment as your child feigns a stoic moment when you know all she wants to do is break down in your arms.

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Permalink Reply by jay nolan on March 27, 2016 at 7:34am

my wife and I will be attending our son, Jerry, swearing in this coming Tuesday morning in Brooklyn, ny.  he has been in the sea cadet program since the 9th grade, where he went away for a boot camp as well as other trainings.  those times were tough seeing such a young man leave to follow his dreams.  now he heads to the GL for an amazing journey.  we cannot express how proud we are of him.  it will be hard watching our oldest leave the nest, but he will become part of another family that will also be there for life.

thanks for all your help on this website to prepare us for his departure.

Happy Easter

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Permalink Reply by Elicia LoFaso Nolan on March 31, 2016 at 8:43am

Definitely go to MEPS for the swearing in.  We didn't know what the process for the day would be but it turned out that he stayed with us for about 30 min. prior to the "ceremony" then he got his bag lunch and ate with us in the family room for maybe an hour?  if that.  Then the "Shippers" were all called away and next thing we knew he was lining up to get on the airport shuttle. 

The time spent during that day went a long way to easing my feelings about him leaving.  I only nearly lost control when he was on line with his processing papers ready to walk out. 

We were all there for him (siblings, parents & grandfather)....most everyone had at least one person there for them. 

Elicia

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Permalink Reply by Dan Maccarone on April 2, 2016 at 4:03pm

Howdy Brett,

My son also ships out on April 12th.

Here is how his mother and I played the we want to attend the swearing in ceremony game.

As all "grown up" sons his age, he didn't want us there ... wanted to do it himself ... I'm big and don't need my parents holding my hand ... yadda yadda yadda.

Sooooo we told him that we would find out what hotel they were staying at the night of the 11th and we would make reservations to stay at the same hotel so we could buy him dinner and maybe hang out a little bit in the evening with him and some of his new found friends and future shipmates. Needless to say he was mortified, so we "made a compromise" and his mother and I will only attend the swearing in (win/win).

With both young men swearing in the 12th, it's a darn good chance they will be going through this together, maybe we can hook up for a celebratory adult beverage at their PIR.

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Permalink Reply by Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom on April 2, 2016 at 4:13pm

As you said Dan.....Win/Win !!!!!  Trust me...It's all because it is hard for him to say "goodbye" to Mom & Dad....You have earned the right as parents to get him to this point. He will look back on it fondly some day.....

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Permalink Reply by Brett on April 2, 2016 at 4:37pm

I want to give a big THANKS to everyone that has commented! We will be at the swearing in with all cameras and video charged up! I am so glad I found navydads.com as I got great advice and I am sure this will just be the start of my questions and posts. It is so nice to know we are not the first to go through this and many parents experience a similar situation. Thank again and Dan I will be looking for you on the 12th! I will probably need an "adult beverage" after that morning :) 

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