SCARED!!!

[Char]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading a few post, especially the boot camp ones and the ones where people have been ganged up on and fighting. My son is not accustomed to that sort of thing. Fighting and bad roommates! What is going on? My son is somewhat bossy, but not a fighter (never had a fight in 19 years, except with his own brothers) and no trouble in high school. I'm worried for him, he leaves for boot camp in September but what is he headed into?

[Char]

Hi CJ

My son leaves (God willing) on September 18. I'm praying all goes well.

[Ginger]

Hi
I'm new here and just starting to read the forums, but I wanted to say that my son leaves on Sept 9th, right between both of yours. I'm nervous too, but this seems to be full of great information.

[Cathy in California]

Hi,

I'm new to this site too an my daughter leaves Septmebr 9 also. I don't know why I'm so scared for her but I am! She is so excited and all I want to do is support her. I am so very proud and I am really glad she told me about this site.

[JOHN MASSELLI]

Hi Char: My son just graduated from Great Lakes on Friday. They are broken up into groups called Divisions, and further into smaller cells called ships. My son started out with 88 in his first group and that was wittled down to 74 by graduation time 8 weeks later. The kids are generally very depressed at first with the processing time and change in life style. My son told me that contrary to popular belief, the RTC's were working them hard to help them succeed and not to fail. Yelling, a little, sure... but humane and very good teachers. Concerning the fighting, the 14 in his group sent home early were some of the dysfunctional, problem ones who didnt last long and were easy for the RTC's to note. The division leaders speak with the RTC's and let them know about issues of concern in most cases. If I may say so, your son is about to grow up in a hurry and the vast majority of the new recruits will be just like your son, trying hard to learn and succeed, not be one of those who are sent home. They have little tolerance at boot camp for trouble makers. Best wishes to you and your son, and remember, when you go to PIR, enter at the gate on Illinois..this place is massive and has lots of gates that all look like the main gate. Write him often especially in the early weeks when they are very down, by grad week they will be immensively proud of themselves, just as we are of them as parents!! John

[Char]

Thanks John,

I'm getting very nervous now. He is a Counselor during the summer at an overnight camp and has done very well. However, I'm nervous about the yelling but I have encouraged him to be the best and following orders/instructions. Thanks for your words of encouragement, I need them in order to encourage him!

[Rob]

Your son is about to enter an environment where a lot of different personalities and backgrounds are brought together. This in itself can cause conflct. You describe your son as being somewhat bossy. Boot camp will be the place where he can change himself from being bossy to being a team member and progressing to being a good leader. It really depends on him, his attitude and the level of effort he puts forth.

The basic goal in trainging is to teach recruits the main skills they need to work within the Navy along with learning how to do it as a team. As the saying goes "A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link". The faster everyone in your sons trainging unit begins working together to accomplish EVERYTHING the sooner the instructor will start spending more time training instead of correcting.

Unfortunately, it usually takes awhile before this unit of individuals understands this concept. Due to this., resentment and anger towards each other can incubate.

Talk to your son and remind him of the core values of the Navy and what they mean and hopefully he can use that knowledge to help his shipmates work into the right frame of mind when tasked with a mission.

Congratulations to your son for his volunteering to take this step and thank you for your support of him.

Good Luck,
Rob

[Char]

Thanks a bunch!

Funny, most of the males I know are very supportive but the females, OMG! Its like I'm some sort of horrible mother for allowing this...he's man for goodness sakes. I have not yet spoken to my own mother (can you believe I'm over 50 years old)! Thanks again for your encouragement.

[Heidi]

I was chuckling as I read this remembering back to when my son left home. I was so scared of the unknown. I knew that my son would do well in BC, just because he is the way he is. He likes rules and likes things done the way they are supposed be done. Yet, I never considered the things that I really should have been scared of. For instance, he is deathly allergic to certain antibiotics and when he was out on his first deployment he got really sick. Kid you not, I got a phone call from the ship because he couldn't remember what he was allergic to. I just thought I would put that out there because you never know what will happen. You don't think about TRULY being "out of touch" with your son or daughter. My husband was beside himself because I was so upset that I was a horrible mother and didn't really give my son what he needed to be away from me. I cried for a week that maybe I hadn't taught him what he needed to actually "survive" out in the real world.

[TERRI]

I had to laugh when you said you son didn't know what he was allergic to. My brother got stung by a bee two summers ago and had a reaction and couldn't breathe and had to be rushed to the hospital. He was in his thirties and doesn't ever remember having a problem. When he called my mom to tell her about it she told him that it was only a little worse the when you was stung as a kid. No one but my mom remembers him ever being stung or having a reaction. My mom didn't even know what an epi-pen was as it happened so long ago. Sometimes we just have to hope we gave them enough sense to either be able to deal with the situation or enough smarts to only surround themselves with people who are smart. the Navy certainly applies there as all sailors are taught basic first aid. Don't worry, lol

[Brenda S., aka, Sailor Moon]

I thank God my son was able to flow through boot camp with hardly any trouble. It is sad when you allow your kids to go out on their own, they chose a lifestyle such as the navy, and there are others that mess things up for them. Hello, I don't blame them for having low tolerance at bc, Most of those young men and women are there to succeed and truly have their hearts and souls set on serving our nation. I really feel bad for those that did not make it though for behaviour problems. One day they wil look back and see what a great chance they just gave back.

[Char]

You are so right! My son made it through bootcamp and is now stationed in Florida. Thanks be unto God! I'm yet praying for him and the other young people because life is coming at the so hard. We have to ask and trust in the Lord to bring them through the ups and downs and give them strength and courage to keep their heads up and finish what they start. Let's keep all of them in prayer and praise our God for being in the United States!

[iinky65]

Mom, I went through the same thing with my son 6 years ago, i was worried and scared for him. I said many prayers for him and his fellow sailors, and he made it through fine. My prayers are with you and your son.