Navy Reserve Moms

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Comment by Viki on December 1, 2008 at 8:23pm

My daughter originally was going reserve, and decided to go full force.

Comment by Angie F.- WA: HM mom on December 1, 2008 at 3:04pm

So ladies, my son has been very humble about his accomplishments thus far in the Navy (he was in the BC Honor Guard and graduated from "A" school with distinction) and I have honored his wishes for no outward fanfare when he got home (he thought it disrespectful to those already doing the hard work "out and over there"), he even snorted and laughed when I asked if he was wearing his Uniform to church the first week he was home on leave. He didn't want to call attention to himself when there were Veterans who needed to be honored that week. I have been and am proud of his mature attitude.

Yesterday, though, I couldn't believe my ears, he really downplayed it bigtime...I introduced him to an acquaintance at church. My son was dressed pretty casually, in an ombre printed thermal long sleeved t shirt and jeans, has a visible tattoo now, (though still a short hair cut!) I could see the man size him up. He asked what my son's plans were for the holidays, my son replied he'd be sticking close to home (we're fortunate he'll be with us for both holidays; he's waiting to change his contract and for the next phase of his training to open, meanwhile he's renting a house with a buddy and just got a PT job), oh, said the man, just hanging out with your friends huh? My son smiled said, yeah, something like that.

He's actually having a bit of a rough time being "in limbo", ya know, "of the Navy, but not actively in it" -after six month of intensity and structure- being back among his nice, but different, civie friends. I'm sure he didn't want to have to explain it all to this guy, but still, I could see the confirmation of initial assessment taking place and couldn't stand there silently. I said "well, actually, he just finished his Navy training and is on leave". OH! So you're a NAVY guy huh, the man said with an enthusiastic smile and a hearty clap on both shoulders. He asked where my son had been stationed, then we had to sit back down. I don't think my son was irritated with me, but I really couldn't help myself. Did I step out of place you think? He's not like all those directionless young men who play video games all day and mooch off their parents, guess the proud Navy Mom in me couldn't stand that someone might think so. =)

I also just hate seeing him have this temporary loss of identity, his heart and spirit are 100% service to his country/military focused, but his body and mind have to deal with the reality of living in a civie world again, amongst his college aged friends who like to stay up really late and go out, plus having to work in a meaningless temporary job. Lois and others (lots of Reserve Seabees it seems!), how did your sons deal with this? How did you help them? The not knowing how long is going to be hard for all of us to deal with. I'm such a planner and he's just restless and eager to get on with it. We're just taking one day, one week at a time, treasuring the moments together. Thanks for letting me dump! :-)

Comment by Becky on November 29, 2008 at 4:04pm

I guess we will just wait and see how things pan out.

Comment by Lois C T(momma T) on November 29, 2008 at 11:56am

Hi, I am also so happy there is a place for "reservist" family to share. My son came home after A school(his A school was in Cal.) He was home for almost a year, then he was sent to Gulfport, Miss. in June '08, from there he was deployed to Iraq, in Aug. of 08, and was told it was an 18 month deployment, but he has kind of been hinting it may be a shorter stay, but says he can't say much. He is a Seabee.

Comment by Becky on November 29, 2008 at 9:01am

Greg is so looking forward to coming home for Christmas and than after A school is done. He says that the Training Commander has been telling them things like he'll be going to Iraq for 18 months within the year. And that has Greg and I confused as in his contract it says that 6 months is the longest he'd be sent anywhere at one time.

Comment by Carol F. on November 29, 2008 at 2:08am

Debi, Sure hope your son does find a job or goes to school then. They need to keep busy before they get shipped out. But it could be months before they go anywhere so....

It is good that we are getting more Reserves moms here.
Becky, Yes, they will come home after "A" school.

Comment by Becky on November 28, 2008 at 10:39pm

My son, Greg will be a UT Reservist.

Comment by Becky on November 28, 2008 at 10:05pm

I just found this group. My son is completing basic training this week and should PIR on the 5th. Then on to his A school in TX. So after they finish A school they get to come home?

Comment by Jackie L on November 28, 2008 at 11:22am

Good morning everyone. I am thrilled to see the Reserve moms on here. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Comment by Debi on November 27, 2008 at 8:59am

Hi everyone, My son Michael graduated from A school in Gulfport 11/4 -any he is home now, I am very thankful to have him home, especially for the holidays. He has been home for a couple of weeks and hasn't found a job yet.I gues this will be somewhat difficult because he seems to think that he will probably get deployed in a couple of months. He is a seabee reservist. Anyway I just want to wish everyone a Blessed Thanksgiving- and my prayers especially for those whose children can't be with them for the holidays, and for the sailors and all of the military who are missing home today.

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