Job on Hold

[Sharon]

Hello everyone. I was hoping to get some feedback from some of you. My son graduated from boot camp recently and has been in "A" school in Mississippi. We live in Maine. He has worked extremely hard to make Honor Graduate. If he keeps his grade point average he will make it. He only has technically 9 days left. He has never been away from home and being a single mother we have a very close relationship. He has keep me informed all through this process. I have been extremly supportive as I am former active duty Air Force. So finally to get to my question. He has just been informed that his position and squad have been placed on "hold" and he may have to stay in Mississippi for an additional 5 months. Basically doing ground maintenance. He basically had the wind let out of his sails and is extremely discouraged. He seems to have lost his motivation to keep working as hard as he has been. He was so looking forward to graduating and going to his perminant station in Viriginia. Any words of wisdom that I can give him to keep his chin up? Thank you!!

Thank you so much for the feedback. My son has graduated (with Honors) and is home on leave. He will be going to his perminant station in Norfolk in two weeks. All your thoughts and wishes certainly did help. I wish you all well and thank you for serving this country.

[April]

Laura, My son finallly left for San Diego on 6/19 and is starting A school today. He was able to come home for the July 4th weekend and we had a great visit. Hope things work out well for your son.

[MsV54321]

Something that I thought was wonderful, is my son somewhere along the line, had it put in his head that EVERY job in the Navy is important, even the cleaning and ground maintenance. He had a few 'change of plans' along the way, and his spirits were kept up thinking that whatever he was assigned to do, was important. Hopefully your son will see that whatever, whenever he is assigned to do something, it matters

[Kelly]

My son just had 4 of the 5 in his class get orders. He is still waiting. The place that does the orders said they just didn't get to his yet. He was on and off hold in Florida during his aircrew training. So tell him to get use to it. It's the Navy way hurry up and wait.

[Pat (Mom of Jenn)]

Unfortunately the Navy is hurry up and wait. Tell him to do the best job he can at whatever they have him doing. My daughter did 1st LT all during her OJT with her first unit, but instead of losing her enthusiam she did the job and did it so well, that she got to know everyone, got recognized for the excellent job she was doing, and excelled in OJT at the same time. Someone is always watching. Tell him to hang in there, the Navy is going through atlot of changes right now and the strong will survive.

[Rebecca Eck]

good luck sharon- go to your wall page I left comment
Becky

[Justinsmom]

HI, this is my first time to chat with anyone that has a son in the Navy. My son left from Mississippi, where I live, (Biloxi) on Monday June 08, 2009. I feel very lost and incomplete. I almost feel like I am going to explode. At the same time I am proud of him. I can't wait to go to Chicago. How did you make it through the 8 weeks?

[Anti M]

Do look in the bootcamp forum where a lot of moms who are new to to all are talking. There are groups too, I'm sure someone has set up a group for bootcamp moms. Your post will get lost down in this thread, so maybe start a new one to contact other moms whose kids have just left too.

[Sharon]

Hello. I won't lie to you it is going to be very difficult, especially if you didn't go through it yourself. I went though basic training for the Air Force, so I knew kind of what to expect. He won't be able to call or write very much. It will probably be at least 3 weeks before you hear from him. Stay busy abd try not to worry. This was my first post on here and it has helped a lot knowing that others know what I'm going through.

[Christine Jetton]

This sounds very familiar! and it will happen over and over again... we warn them that someone has to take out the trash don't we? It makes them appreciate all aspects of the Navy and while delays are discouraging, it gives them opportunities to meet more of their fellow sailors and get to know the senior staff. My son went in as a Nuke candidate and went through Corpsmen A school, to hang out at Great Lakes to end up in Fire Control school and C school ended up being in San Diego instead of Virginia... and hoping, just hoping but not believing until it actually happens that his first duty station will be Pearl Harbor... that extra time in Great Lakes gave him contacts in HI already... good news is, they get a lot of free time and work like a 9 to 5, Mon - Fri job. And being on duty is a lot less... how about taking an online college course? perfect timing and it travels with him... so he should keep up the 'working hard' when working but enjoy the break while he can .... as the Moms all state, it changes at a moment's notice all the time, keeping busy is the best thing to do whether it be A school or ground work...

[Mom to 2 Sailors]

Hi - I have been a Navy Mom for 7 years now - and I have discovered that no time frame or date is held in stone. I believe 100% of the time for both of my sailors - have had times changed. At first I counted on the time frame they initially would state - and now I wait until it actually happens. The kids would get frustrated at first but have now learned to adjust. Every job has it's quirks and this is one of them. My oldest takes this time "on hold" at every base to upgrade his file. He finds out what it takes to advance faster and does it during the "hold" times. He does volunteer work, volunteers to do extra admin work - anything it takes to make his Navy career look better. He is listed as a promote a head of schedule person. So have your sailor check with the chiefs about these opportunities. Have a great day - Kathy

[Sharon]

Thank you! Just to keep everyone up to date. My son DID make "Honor Graduate" and will be shipping out next week as planned. Your support and feedback helped both he and I. Thanks again everyone.

[Barbara Proud Mom of Scott]

We have seen so much of things being placed on hold, or assignments extended. It is not personal. I guess I equate it to this. In the private sector, jobs are lost, homes are gone, and some things come to a grinding hault in this economy. It shows up differently in the military, some of what your son, and others are experiencing.

Remind him to focus on his STELLAR accomplishments.... 3 steps forward, 1 step back.... not 3.

It is hard for moms, especially me, since I want to fix things, and help him feel better. Sometimes I have to take a step back, and just not react or respond too much. Sometimes he just needs the room to grow.

Best wishes for you both.

Barbara