Scared, worried, nervous mom

[tina_dap]

My son left 3/12 for BC. I was sitting here (im)patiently waiting for the form letter when my phone rang yesterday. I recognized the area code and was like, no no no no. Needless to say it was my son calling to let me know he failed his initial run by 30 seconds. He did so well here at home. I asked him what happened and apparently he had started to get a little run down from lack of sleep then he said they got their shots and the next morning he woke up with a sore throat and body weakness with no energy. He said he was like, No today is not the day for this as he knew they were doing the baseline. He ended up walking twice and that's what messed him up. He said he knows where he messed up. He said if he hadn't have walked the second time or as long with both walks together he would have made it. He got sent to medical to get checked out and was put on bedrest for all of Saturday. He said they are doing some kind of training with the ones that didn't pass today and I believe he said they were retesting on Wednesday. He is so mad at himself and worried that he has let me down. As of his phone call he said he was feeling much better. I'm so scared and worried that he won't pass the 2nd time on Wednesday. He said if he doesn't pass he's coming home. I could tell he was trying not to cry and I tried to encourage him best I could. I've been reading others post where they are given more than 2 times to pass before being sent home. Is this true for all or in certain circumstances? The other thing that worries me is with all that's going on, there are no jobs out there as everyone is either getting laid off or getting their hours cut way back. I told him about everything that's happen "out here" and he was shocked at how bad it's gotten. I told him his best chance of a good future with steady pay is to stay at BC and continue on with his rate afterwards. To make things even worse is he has a car payment and ins. payment and without a job he will lose those :(  Any help out there or words of encouragement for a scared to death mom?!?! Thank you all in advance. I have been in tears for my son as I know he doesn't want to come home feeling like a failure or that he's disappointed me....

[belovedbyHim]

Breathe Momma!!!  Breathe!!! They typically get 3 tries to pass the initial run.  Most all of them will pass in that time.  The shots and the stress do take a toll but the rest day should help (Saturday and Sunday!) They may be getting yelled at lot but the RDC's really do want them to succeed!  He will learn to Push himself harder than he ever thought possible.  That is part of what was happening in his first run.  Normally we would advise that we don't burden them with worry about what is happening at home but in this case that may have been the best thing, He may find that he is motivated to push harder just to make his time and not come home to the chaos that is the real world!  As for his car payment and insurance, If he is sent home, he will want to reach out to them and let them know he's Currently unemployed and see what options they have. Most companies have something in place to help during this time since nearly everyone is in the same boat!  That piece will work itself out in time so don't stress about the "what-if's" 
{{{HUGS!!!!}}}} It is unnerving but it will be ok!! Pray if that is your thing and write encouraging letters.  If you get another call stay positive, Sometimes it's not "No' forever but just a "Not Now" for whatever reason! IF you do speak to him again remind him he's stronger than he thinks and to dig deep to follow his dreams!

[tina_dap]

Thank you, I needed to hear all of that. Funny how the mind goes into overdrive when you feel helpless. I wasn't going to tell him about everything out here as I didn't want to stress him even more by being worried about us but thought he should know. I told him we were all fine and healthy and to focus on himself. I'm most certain that he'll pass on the 2nd try since he was sick. Just before we hung up yesterday he told me he was feeling better and he was ready to run and get to training. He told what they do in the next couple of weeks and he is so looking forward to those. :) That's a good sign!!!

[belovedbyHim]

You are welcome.  BC is already a surreal time when we are dealing with so many emotions and the sudden lack of connections and now we add in the surreal reality of life under COVID-19. Try and remain as calm as you can and encourage your son to focus on what he needs to do in BC and that you will focus on staying healthy and well!!  Our job here is to help you navigated these waters and learn about life in the Navy whilst keeping your wits about you!  Right now we are all in Uncharted waters.  As they say... "We are off the map and there be monsters out there!"  We are all learning as we go!

[Velvetenor]

I agree with belovedbyHim - just try and breathe and think positive thoughts for your son - he will get through this!

My son arrived at BC on 12/4/19 and was also very concerned about passing the 1.5M run. He had practiced a lot before he left, but was still not able to run it in the time required for the final PFA (under 13 minutes for his age group, I think). For the initial run, I think he needed to do it in under 16 minutes, and he did pass that on the first try, but only by a few seconds! When we got to talk to him he said that it was so much harder than he expected, because he also had had his shots on the day before, and he wasn't feeling his best, and was still tired from staying up all night when they arrived. So this is common, and the folks at RTC really do understand and work with the SRs to help them realize what they actually CAN do!

Once your son passes this first run test, tell him to sign up for the optional run clinics that they hold on Saturday mornings. My son did this and they really helped him get his run time down to where it needed to be, and he passed his final PFA on the first time! He was so proud of himself and amazed that he was actually able to do this!! The Navy really does build them up so that they can do way more than they ever thought possible!

I will keep you and your son in my prayers. It is a crazy time to be in BC, with the world as it is right now, but he is safe at RTC and focusing on his future, so that is the best place he can be! *HUGS*