Our son is seriously considering the enlisting in the Navy

[Angela]

Our son Matthew called us and told us he's taking the necessary tests and exmas to be considered for the Navy. My heart sank. I felt immediately overcome with fear and visions of returning combat veterans, seriously injured whose lives are forever changed. Our son in a man, a college graduate, a good head on his shoulders. But all I wanted to do was tell him of all the reasons I thought he shouldn't enlist. I knew instantly that this would do him a great disservice. He is a young man, keen to be of service, to serve a noble purpose, and if he got to see the world in the process that would be okay with him too. I am praying for the strength to protect him from MY fears and concerns. I am praying that GOD will guide him in the decision that is only his to make. I want to do the right thing by Matthew. I know I have the power to encourage him or cause him distress in this decision making process. But honestly, I don't know how I can keep from being teary eyed in any discussion of armed forces service when I know too well that this will undoubtably place him in harm's way. I appreciate your website so much. It is such a blessing already. Thank you for letting me share .

[Angela]

Dear Candy. I thank you for your encouraging words. What a Navy family you all are. Thank you and your husband for your service. You know, until Matthew began talking with a Navy recruiter, I didn't really think much about our service men and women on a daily basis. But today, the sacrifice of not only the soldier but their moms and dads and loved ones is keenly on my mind and my heart. Were I to pick a branch of service for our son, it would surely be the Navy. But this is Matthew's choice. I have been sharing some of the comments posted on Navy for Moms with our son. So your words of encouragement benefit me and our Matthew. Each night I light and Blue Candle to honor our sailors and all whom they love. Thank you for your wisdom and encouragement. Take good care, Candy.
Angela

[Marsha]

Angela, I remember the feeling when our son came and told us. I didn't want him to get in the way of any harm. After much prayer and thought I realized that if I expected other mothers to be willing to allow their sons to go fight for our country and for me--why shouldn't my son go. Keep praying and teary eyes are okay.

[Angela]

Being a grown man, you should let him know your heart. Give it a few days, when you can talk about it without 'bawling', but you should let him know.

[Carmen]

Be extremely proud of your son. He's willing to do something for our country that most aren't.

[Simone]

Angela, I get your fear. My daughter connected with an elementary school classmate and married him within weeks after dating. At the time he was going through the Navy's Nuclear Power Training Program. One week she is in college and the next she is living on a Navy base far from home. I can't even begin to describe the fear. And I have to say it was one of the best decisions she has ever made. The man she married is amazing and the Navy life offers so many opportunities that her and Dean both are these amazing individuals because of the life they lead. The Navy . . . . it's a good thing. Full of nobility and love of country and yes, even heroism. Your son, will be changed, yes. But in a way like you would never imagine. He will have character that far reaches anything you could have imagined for him and his life adventures will be amazing. The beginning of the adventure is scary. But the rest is a rollercoaster ride you won't want to miss.

[Barbara Georges]

Angela, do not fear. My son also graduated from college then a year later he went in. He was always interested in the military. Even in high school. Through college there was no talk of the military. When he brought it up to us we talked alot. I finally told him I thought he would always regreat it if he did not go in and that there is something to belonging to something that is greater than himself. But it was his decission. He decided to enlist rather than go for OCS. He is now putting together a package. He told me during Christmas that he has learned more in the last three years than in his whole life. There are many opportunities. He is an MC( Master Communication) He has spent only one week on a surface ship and three weeks on a sub. He has gone to air crew school and dive school. He has been many places in the world including Antartica. I am very proud of him. He will be fine.

[Angela]

Dear Barbara,
I'm so proud of your son and of you for giving him your full support. He must know how proud you are of him. Joining the service is certainly something greater than any one person. This must given your son such a sense of sure purpose. I pray each evening for our sailors and for their loved ones as I light the Blue Candle in their honor. God Bless you and your dear son. Take good care, Barbara.
Angela

[Angela]

Dear Simone. What a story you've shared. I'm encouraged to hear that the Navy is not just a wonderful experience for the sailor but for their spouses too. I pray each evening for the men and women who serve our country and for their moms as well, when I light the Blue Candle in their honor. Take Good Care, Simone.
Angela

[Angela]

Dear Pat. I had to laugh when I read that you argued with the recruiter. I have so wanted to do just that. My son must have had the feeling that I might and so has not mentioned with what recruiter he's been speaking with. Thank God for Navy for Moms. The words of these wise and experienced women have been like friends, not just those who care but those who care and understand, because they are having the same experience. I pray for our sailors every night when I light the Blue Candle in their honor. God bless you and your dear son, Pat. Take Care.
Angela

[Steph]

Hello Angela,
My son has been in the Navy for 10 years. He was thinking about getting out in June of this year and I wanted him to get out only due to the war. I told him that too. However, as I read articles of the men and women that have fought in this war, they did not regret their decision and many were ready to go back if they could today. My son too is a college graduate with a good head on his shoulders and capable and does make good decisions, very good decisions. I happen to think, what if is he doing what makes him happy? What if he gets out and he is not happy and wished he hadn't listen to his mother. I called him back and told him, I wanted him to do whatever made him happy and whatever decision he made he had made my blessings. And he did, he signed up for another 3 years and most likely is career now. He will do the 20 years now. He has been stationed on a ship for 3 years with 3- 6 months tours overseas to fight, he was stationed out of the country for 2 years, has been literally all over the world and in more countries outside of the United States than in the states. I know now, he is glad he stayed in with the economic situation in our country last year. It was for him a good decision to stay in. In our situations, we truly have to hand them over to God and know that they are protected. Just like we are trained for our jobs, they are trained for their jobs. I am one proud mother.

God bless,

[Angela]

Dear Steph, You did good, reflecting on your initial response then calling your son back and urging him to do what would make him happy. He has what few people have in this uncertain economy, job security and a bright and secure future doing what he loves. God bless him for his service and commitment. Thank you for sharing your mom's wisdom. I will take your words to heart. They give me courage. God bless you and those you love. I light the Blue Candle every evening and take comfort in praying for our brave men and women in service. Take Care, Steph.
Angela

[Jody Gault]

I can only tell you from my husbands and my own perspective...at first we, too, didn't quite understand and tried to convince him to go into college first (he just graduated highschool in June and got full scholarships) but it is what he wanted to do. We set out to find out as much as we could about the military and gave him our full blessings because it was his choice and his life. He's about to complete boot camp and with the economy the way it is have realized what a wonderful well thought out decision he made for a beautiful life. Oh how I wish we'd had a head on our shoulders at age 18 as our son does. These kids that are graduating college with all these great degrees are put into the jobforce looking for jobs with the rest of us and are having a difficult time finding a job. We are sad to not have him here with us but will cherish the times that we can visit him. He says he wants to be a 20 yr. man and retire at age 38. Again-wish I'd thought about things that way when I was young. Navyformoms has been a great wealth of education for us. It will be hard when he leaves but I saw something on this site that summarizes it all for me. It says, "Yes, your heart is being ripped out but he needs it more now than you do". This was talking about the day that this ladies son left for bootcamp-we all seem to feel the very same way. Just be as supportive as you can. Stay informed, stay in touch with him and love him. Also the Navy, I was told from my husbands cousin who just retired Air Force, is one of the safest branches to stay out of any danger. God bless and be proud that you've raised a son who wants to give back to his country.