Mamma Navy is a MYSTERY.....

[VeryProudNavyMom]

The one thing I have learned is that every sailors stories differ...LOL....there are kids still in holding from 6 months ago in Great Mistakes (as they lovingly refer to it...lol)....it is such a crazy experience....Mamma Navy is a true woman, full of mystery.....don't take it the wrong way, I LOVE what the Navy has done for our son...it is just getting a straight answer is never easy because I don't think there IS a 'straight' answer.....

But it is like an amusement park, full of ups and downs, twists and turns....lots of light, lots of dark....lol.....

So for the new Mom's sit back, put your seat belt on, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.....but ONE THING IS CONSTANT....Navy MOM'S help one another.....we talk, we help....and we ALL go through the emotional rollercoaster together.....

The OTHER CONSTANT is that our kids SO benefit from their journey...

[Dawna Widmar]

Well, all I can say is I would MUCH rather have my son where he is in the Navy, than at college, or worse yet, just hanging out here working at his high school job. My son left for Great Lakes at about the same time most of his high school classmates were leaving for college this August. I had mom's who just couldn't get over the fact that I wasn't worried about him, even though I hadn't heard from him. Their kids were 2 hours down the road and talked to Mom and Dad every day or two. I had one mom ask me why I wasn't worried and I told her, "If he was at college, he would have NO structure and who knows how much trouble he would be getting into and how much partying he would be doing. At least where he's at, I know that he isn't drinking, he isn't out causing trouble and he is studying. Your son is a good kid and excellent student, but can you say the same thing?" That kind of took the air out of her sails, but it was the truth.

When I walked up to my son after PIR, all I could think is, "The kid I put on a plane 2 months ago is gone, and a man is standing in front of me now." He is going to do well, I think, because he really does need structure. I think that if he had gone to college, he maybe would have lasted a year. He is talking about making the Navy a career, and I couldn't be more proud.

[DiAnna Southard]

The Navy takes care of its own, and by that I don't mean the Navy... I mean the FAMILY. Once you're a part of the Navy, you're ALWAYS part. And those of us who've been there do our best to take care of those who are coming behind us.

[degz]

Yep when I was in it was called it "hurry up and wait" I played the game for 22 years so got real good at it.
But the military does make the boys into men real quick.

[Sally-Mom of Sailor Aaron!!!]

I was wondering if you could let me know more about holding....as my son, (who is not doing very well emotionally and wan't to come home NOW!) he mentioned he may be going into holding if he "flunks out" This distressed me a great deal and I feel like no one can answer my questions. He got to call us twice today and he was VERY upset. He said he is quitting and coming home...over and over again. We, of course, encouraged him to stick with it, but he is so terribly homesick I am sick with worry about him. He did call back a couple of hours later and he sounded better and said that he will try hard to stick with it and do his best. He is so afraid of failing and he really regrets going in I fear. I need some guidance as to what I can do if anything. We really want him to stick with it and know that this is the best thing for him though. Thanks for any advice you can give.

[Arwen]

Most of the THU recruits I knew were there for medical reasons. We lost four or five of our company members to the THU, due to broken ankles or similar accidents. Of the remainder, some were there because they couldn't learn to swim or pass certain tests, and the rest because they either did something naughty or the Navy discovered they lied on their enlistment papers about something.

We also gained a few who joined us at the point of training where they left off from their other companies.

It's not an easy place to be. They are treated as recruits, but don't have the stuff to do all day the company recruits have. It's boring as he!! They aren't even allowed to stand their own watches. Each company takes a turn standing their watches for them. To companies, the THU is a scary netherworld.

Sally, just keep encouraging him. Do you know why he is in the THU? Is it something he can realistically get past?

[labvamp]

I know what you mean. The same is going on with my son. He never knows what day to day will hold. We are all sort of left wondering what is going on. I sure hope I can handle the next 4 years of this. It is good to know that there are more Moms out there that know how I feel. Thanks to all the wonderful MOMs out there.