son homesick

[jani]

my son has been in bootcamp maybe five days and I just recieved a call from him that he wants to come home. He was crying and told me that he is having a hard time learning everything he is supposed to. He also told me he is staying way behind most of the other recruits and cant concentrate. He has never been away from home, and I know he is missing me much as I am him. I was shocked to hear him crying and as my mind scrambled for what to say, all I could think of was to tell lhim that I loved him, missed him too but that I was ok. I told him to hang in there and for him to stop worrying about me. I kept on telling him he could do it and it seemed to help a little. I could tell by the way his voiced changed. He admitted to me that he realized he was lazy and didnt know if he could learn all there was to learn. I know my son is smart and Im just wondering if anyone out there has ever had a similiar phonecall? and if so, how did your son/daughter end up doing? will he get in trouble with the RCD if he is taking too long to learn how to make bed, ect..?

[scubagirl]

If your son can hang in there it will get better.  My son has sounded good every time I have spoken to him but he is 22 and lived away at college for a year.  During that year he really missed the family and did move back home to go to school.  It is not the same thing but in a way it is.  I know when my SR called the first time that we really got to talk more than 30 seconds I said, "How's it going/"  He said it's going.  He was in Marching Band so the marching was not hard for him but they were almost 2 weeks into the training at that time and  he said it had just clicked on how to march all together for most of the SR's.  He will get it, just encourage him every time you speak to him.  If you have his address send an encouraging card everyday.  Make sure he knows you are at home praying and supporting him from the sidelines at home. If for some reason he does not stay with the Navy, make sure he knows you are still proud of him.  My son is suppose to graduate on 7/25/2014 but every one knows things can happen from not passing a test or PFA to getting hurt and getting delayed.in training.  I pray everyday that he is ok and things are going well for him. Hang in there and all of us moms will be here for you no matter what happens with your son. 

[Anti M]

Many of the new SRs experience homesickness and doubt early on.  It is very intense culture shock and there is an adjustment period.  Once they get into a division and begin working with the other SRs, they usually do better.  Everyone is scared and unsure to some degree.  But yes, some do not adjust, and they do get sent home.  It is not a failure, it just means the Navy is not for them and they need a different life path.

Ah, bed making and marching.  Make a buddy who is great at making up a rack, and have them teach their techniques.  

Marching... in boot camp our company (they used to call them companies, not divisions) was absolutely terrible at marching.  We didn't earn our flag for that until near the very end.  It is a case of just keep moving, literally, just try to stay in step and keep up!  

[Anti M]

It is so difficult to give a clear answer on that.  Usually, the ones who have "failure to adjust" know it within that first week, often in 72 hours.  If they can make it through the first week, then their chances of success improve.

Other reasons for coming home later in boot camp would often be health or security related, or if they cannot pass the classroom exams.  They are given second chances on those.  If it is physical fitness, they are put in a FIT division to work on running and so on.  

Keep encouraging him.  

One of my best buddies in the Navy was barely taller than I am, and I'm 5'3"!