An encouraging letter (help for those at a loss of what to say.

[JunieB]

When my older son was in BC last year one of the wonderful Navy Moms (Thank you, Bev S.!) posted this letter that she either wrote, and told us we could use it too. When you get that 'really down' letter and don't know what to say, this can help your recruit think on their situation and feel better about their decision to join. This is a version of it I modified for my son. My older son said it really helped his 'perspective' and I am hoping son #2 will find the same encouragement. Feel free to use it as I did.


I hope this week has been a better week for you. In your letter from last week you sounded so ‘down’, I just wanted to hug you & make it all better (just like a Mom huh?) But you made me think about what you must be thinking & feeling there.
I bet it was odd thinking you could be standing, at times, in the exact same spot other young men might have stood & gotten yelled at before they went off to make their home on a ship under constant attack. I couldn't imagine eating at a table where young men, like you, had eaten before, thinking & feeling the same things you are. I just can not fathom sleeping in a bed, in a dorm, where so many young men had slept before you, knowing some had even cried there before falling asleep, missing their moms' and dads', full of their own homesickness. I think it must be hard to learn to trust someone you've just met to guard your backside, whether at boot camp or on deployment. It must be stressful to learn in such a short amount of time so many new things the Chiefs tell you you will need to know if something were to go wrong in a dangerous situation. I imagine it was beyond strange to be looking out over those grounds and buildings where so many, just like you, had gone before. I'm sure you must be awestruck thinking on the sheer number of young men who upon leaving that place found the wisdom, the strength and the courage to do more than the jobs they were assigned. And finally, I bet it made you proud to go where so many heroes had been before. I am sure, beyond doubt, that if you should ever be called on yourself, to find that same wisdom and strength, your own courage will not fail you. Because you now stand where many will come after you. Because you too, are now a hero. I am so PROUD of you!

[Terri Proud Mom Of Josh]

This is an AWESOME letter. Very inspiring!

[carolinagurl]

That is a GREAT letter, I forwarded it to my son ! :)

[Texanbybirth]

This is a fantastic letter, thank you for sharing it with us, it made me cry. I will be using it to send to my daughter to give her some encouragement and strength. I am so proud of my daughter for going through this and know that she will come out of it a much better person when she is done. Thank you again.

[Sage43]

Wow, Thanks for sharing this letter.

[Sue Ship 11 Div. 334]

Thanks for posting this. My son is currently in BC and although he has not complained one time, he is going through some difficulties at the moment. This is a great letter!

[Steve's Mom]

That's from our Bev. It's been on the site from close to the begining and has been mailed to many many bootcampers :)

here is her page clicky

and the original blog click here

[Ruth VH]

FYI - You should take her last name off as a safety precaution.
And yes, it is a wonderful letter..thank you for reprinting it so many of us
can use it.

[ROSE]

Yes I did already.... thank you.

[JunieB]

Thanks, I tried doing a search but it kept coming up empty.
I came on here when there was still less than 5,000 members back in May 08. I remember being directed to and reading orginal post, just couldn't find it. Luckily I typed most of the letters I sent to my son and still had them, so I could copy paste to share with everyone here.

I have in no way taken any credit for this. Thank you for finding the original owner so SHE can get the credit for her beautiful words of wisdom.

Thank you Beverly S. ! your wonderful thoughtful words have helped more sailors than you could possiblely imgine.

[A's step-mom]

Hi JunieB, I requested you as a friend. The letter you sent your son in BC was so great. I hope I can write half that letter to my step daughter when she gets in BC. My step daughter leaves on January 20, 2010. It is going to be very hard to watch her turn and walk away from us and go to BC. Won't be there to keep her safe, our talks we always have, and just to see her funny faces and her laugh. The house will be very quit with out her there. I'm going to start writing her letters the minute she leaves. Then when I can mail them to her she will have alot of letters to read. I have already got cards bought and stamps for the letters. I even got stamps to mail her so she can write us. I will always write letters to keep her spirit up. Tell her that this was a great desicion to go into the Navy. She will have so many more chances in the Navy. Just want her to know we are with her all the time in spirit, she is never alone. Sorry, I get going and can't stop. your friend Pam (Alexis step-mom)

[JunieB]

Pam,
I did not write the letter, I just 'borrowed' it as many others have because around their second/third week they get so down that this letter helps give them a new perspective on what they are going through.

When your daughter leaves for BC write, write, write and if you don't have time to write a real letter then drop a card in the mail so she gets something at mail call and also knows she is thought of and cared about. That seems to be the biggest thing my boys have said it they feel forgotten (out of sight out of mind) when they need the most encouragement.

[A's step-mom]

Hi JunieB, Thanks for the message! That is what I have planed doing for her. If I don't have time to write I will drop her a card. Just want her to know we are thinking of her and are with her in spirit. She is not alone at BC. Thanks for the message. luv ya your friend Pam (Alexis step-mom)