new to Navy- anxious mom

[Patrice]

My 23 yr old son Graduated from USC last May with a biomedical engineering degree. He announced to us this summer that he had decided to join the Navy. He signed up for the Nuke program - delayed entry and has been going through the process of applying to OSC. We just found out that he has been invited to the interviews next week in Washington DC. His recruiter is working with him to prepare for the interviews and he has been studying a lot!
I am beside myself with anxiety- first about joining the military at all and the inherent risks involved and now about how he will do in the interviews. Since he has basically enlisted, my understanding is that if he is not accepted into the OCS (NUPOC) he will go in as an enlisted sailor. He is quite determined and basically told me that one way or the other he plans to become a Navy officer.
I have read that the acceptance rate after the interviews is 85-90% but I have no idea how people "blow" their interview. my son is a calm, self assured young man. I just hope I can contain my own anxiety so that MY feelings are not an additional burden for him.
Regardless of next week's outcome it sounds like I will be part of the navy family for a while.

[Joyce Tucson Mom]

First of all Congratulations:)! Next, WELCOME to NFM:)! You're in the right place to get answers and find others who know exactly how you feel . . . There's an OCS group too, where you can connect with others in the same program:)!
I'm glad you're here:)!

[Valerie]

Thanks for your reply to Patrice. My son leaves on Jan. 7 for BC, and I can tell I'm going to need to keep reading this Web site. I thought I was being silly getting teary thinking about his leaving -- after all he's 22 and been living away from home (actually in Tucson!) for the past year or two. Glad to know the tears are normal. My husband is a Navy Vet so he's a bit more matter-of-fact about all this. My son's also an Arizona boy -- he's never experienced the cold weather like Chicago gets, so I'm sure BC is going to be a big adjustment.

[Michelle Chicago Mom]

Joyce,

It is cold here and snowy, but he will adjust. And when it first snows it is pretty warm. He will be ok!

[Jan]

I just wanted to wish your son good luck, he seems like a confident, smart and determined young man. Just the thing the Navy needs. I am sure his interview will go fine and a year from now my son maybe saluting your son.

[Paula]

WOW COngrats to you Mom! Welcome to N4M, what a great place to be.
Keep us informed!

[TheyGrewAgain]

I think every Mom has that half proud/half terrified moment when our child brings up the military.

Just trust that Military service isn't all about bullets and bad things happening, unfortunately, that's not what you'll see on the evening news, so it's normal to worry a bit.

Feel free to share your journey into being a Navy mom here, you'll get lots of support and information that will hopefully make you feel more at ease with your son's choice.

And good luck to him with his interview!

[Terrolyn]

Congratulations! Your son sounds like he's a pretty level headed young man and driven, my, you must be bursting at the seams. Not many know what they want to do after graduation. He has a pretty good chance at what he's doing and it sounds like failure isn't an option, that's definitely one of the core values of the United States Navy.

Although the media makes it look like the military is front lines and death, it really isn't like that, especially for a nuke AND an officer. Let your son take the lead, the Navy will only enhance that drive, support him and talk to us about your concerns and fears, we know what you're going through, welcome to the family.

[Patrice]

Had his interview today- He is in! It sounds like he has a lot of work ahead of him but I know he is anxious to get started.

[carols_kitchen]

Just followed this posting. This is awesome. Plus, being more mature, he will be a great mentor to others. Thanks for sharing the good news.

[Janis Kay]

Congratulations! this is just an incredible opportunity for him! And you, too, will learn a lot mom! You must be so proud!

[Debbie (Stephen's mom)]

Hi,

Good luck to your son, I will keep you and your family in my prays! Happy Holidays!

Debbie

[Gail M]

Congratulations Patrice and welcome to N4M's! My son is 24, and just enlisted. He will be in the Nuc program too! It took him awhile to find his way, but I am so proud that he is finally on the right path. Good luck to both of you, and we look forward to hearing more from you!