Comment

Comment by momkaw1513 on February 10, 2014 at 1:40pm

Susan, WElcome to the "ride".  IT does get better, but this site helped me through it.  Dont be surprised if you get a couple extra calls during boot camp.  He will be looking for additional information for his clearance.  The first one I got I was a bit taken back becaue I thought soething was wrong. Everything was fine. 

My son has been at DLI since last Jan.  If I recall, he "classed up" in March.  He is in one of the longer language classes, 64 weeks.  He graduates in June, hopefully.  The program at DLI is amazing and the leadership makes sure that the sailors have what they need to succeed!  Ask for help early is what I have heard from my son.  Sometimes they will have sailors move back to the next class to help them get more proficient in their language.  My son reports that when this happens those students move way up in their class.  It is just what they need. 

Monterrey is a beautiful place.  Make sure you plan a trip from UT to Monterrey this summer or fall.  I joke that if you have to be away from home for the first time, can't think of a better place to be. 

From your description of your son, he will exceed.  My son reported the first month, this was the academic challenge he had been hoping for. He is getting it and more...

My countdown was 7 cards that I sent weekly to my son during boot camp.  He is so busy that he doesn't have time to worry, but mail call is the only thing during their day that is norm.  Keep the mail coming.  It is amazing how much you can write in a letter each day.  Seems crazy and repetitive, but they don't care.  Just keep those cards and letters coming...if you would like to contact me off line, I'd be happy to chat with you more

Comment by Lisa (A-Mac's mom) on February 10, 2014 at 11:13am

Susan, your son will have an opportunity to complete his associate's degree while at DLI.  My son did it.  It was pretty cool because, number one, they are awarded their degree during their DLI graduation ceremony and, number two, their degree is issued by the United States Congress.  Not many people can say they have a degree issued by Congress.  Once they are at their first duty station for a while, they will have an opportunity to complete more classes.  But trust me when I tell you they are pretty busy at their first duty station and may not have time to work on it for quite a while.  But is is completely doable for him to complete his bachelor's before his enlistment is up.  Then he will have his GI Bill money to complete a master's, if he so chooses.  Don't worry about the security clearance.  He'll be fine.  He may call you from GL to ask additional questions to complete his security clearance.  I got a quick phone call from my son to get clarifying information.  It's a nice bonus phone call that most moms with kids at GL won't get.  Enjoy it!  

Comment by Susan, Michael's mom on February 10, 2014 at 11:05am

Hey, Laurie! Thanks so much for the explanation! I already know I love this group of moms! Whether I'm on here alot or not! Whatever happens to Michael, he has signed up for 6 years!!! I was worrying about the background check, too....when I heard it was expensive for the military to conduct one. I have no idea what they look for. Michael is as pure as snow when it comes to never having done nor seen a "drug"....I did buy him Guinness as part of his 21st birthday party! (And, he likes a bit of Guinness!) He's had a few close friends. One went off to the army, and another on  "mission"....we live in a largely LDS area, although we are not LDS. He did one year at the local university here, and felt he was costing us too much, so he did not want to continue! If he can just get help with completing college at some point thru the Navy, it will have been more than worth it! He loved the  philosophy and logic classes! Michael spent one summer recently helping his sister in her job GPSing wild plants in many wild places all around Utah for Utah State....he volunteered so he could go along with her out in the wild. (And I'm glad he did!) Michael has a kind heart, and alot of loyalty to friends and family. His sister was the Valedictorian when graduatiing from high school; and just graduated from Ut State Summa Cum Laude! (However, no great job for an English and Creative Writing Major!) Michael has always basked in her sunlight rather than finding his own!  I am hoping he will find his own "sunlight" with the Navy! I may not be making much sense this morning. We are still acutely missing him here, and hoping he is up to muster with the early mornings and marching, etc!!! Thanks for listening!

Comment by I'm Laurie the Sailor's Mom! on February 10, 2014 at 10:43am

Susan, regarding the hand-off the the personal electronics, they can't have them in their possession on the base at Great Lakes, so most of us chose to do the hand-off at the airport. We wanted our children to have a cell phone to call us or a computer to email us when they arrived, etc. An alternative is to ship the items to DLI, but that takes time and can be expensive. Those couple of early morning hours were so precious to me; they were worth any inconvenience. PIR day is all hustle-bustle and activity, and DLI is just as busy. The quiet morning on departure day can be private and reflective. There is a chapel just down the hall from the USO room which is quiet, peaceful and private. You may actually get to talk with your sailor there!

Comment by Susan, Michael's mom on February 10, 2014 at 1:36am

Lisa, again, thank you! your words are really comforting. I will try to take your advice!

Comment by Susan, Michael's mom on February 10, 2014 at 1:21am

Thanks, Lisa and ejrwelch! Thanks for responding! Good to know I was "right" about something! He will have special devices for his language, but he can have his laptop for his personal use! Makes sense! Wow, Lisa, you are quite a lady! married to Navy and sons in Navy and Air Force, as well! I think Michael will be a good fit for the Navy; he has a lot of idealism, and I know the Navy's core values attract him!
EJR, thank you! Michael is a fairly good listener! He enjoys running and push-ups! His main concern was having his wisdom teeth pulled! Also, the tear gas and the peanut butter shot! But, he really wants this, so, I think he will be OK! Exciting to hear you are already in Monterrey! Do you like your language?

Comment by elliluvs on February 10, 2014 at 1:01am

@susan dont worry at all DLI is amazing!!!!!! He will love it and he can have what ever technology he would like as they issue tech for the languages here. I am currently here and if you have any questions let me know I don't check this regularly but I'll try to stay in the loop! You're son will do fine in basic. It's easy as long as you know how to listen.

Comment by Lisa (A-Mac's mom) on February 10, 2014 at 12:37am

Susan, He will not be able to use his own computer or iPad for course materials.  They will provide him with a laptop and iPod/iPad for his courses.  He can take his electronics with him to use for his own personal use.  It is a very tough program.  I think most moms here will tell you that their kids are extremely bright.  And for many of our young adults, this was the first time they were truly academically challenged.  But my son made it through.  With hard work and dedication, yours will, too.  

He will likely board a plane for Monterrey early the morning after graduation.  He will likely have a waiting period before he "classes up."  My son graduation GL at the end of October.  He was supposed to start classes sometime in January.  Then he and a group were told they would be starting classes in November instead.  Things are very fluid until he actually begins his program.  Some of the group that graduated GL at the same time my son did even had their language change once they got out to CA.  It's all about the needs of the Navy at the time. My son has been at his first duty station for almost a year now.  He loves it.  But the schooling doesn't stop once they leave DLI.  I'll just leave it at that.  

Welcome to you.  I hope you find this a soft place to land when you need questions answered or some support.  And just a piece of advice from a Navy wife and Navy and Air Force mother, don't get yourself worked up about the what-ifs.  Relax.  Enjoy the experience of being the mother of a hero.  Don't fret about what's going to happen.  The Navy wants your son to succeed.  They will do everything in their power to make sure that happens.   

Comment by Susan, Michael's mom on February 10, 2014 at 12:29am

Well, goodnight! I will keep you guys posted after he makes it thru boot camp!

Sounds like they had a bad storm in GL last week, on the 5th!

Comment by Susan, Michael's mom on February 10, 2014 at 12:27am

Maybe I am worrying too soon. He does still have to get thru basic training!

KC's mom: I have read quite a few of your posts, and I have great admiration for KC!!! I hope Michael can make it as far down the road as KC has....I don't think Michael will do SERES or the swim or flight school, but one can never tell. I am just already worrying about the language school, as it sounds so terribly tough!

I am hoping Michael will get a language he can emotionally "bond" with so he will want to spend all those hours a day studying! He did OK on the D-Lab! Scored high enough to take the hardest tier of languages!

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 43
• 44
• 45
• 46
• 47
• …
• 161
• Next ›
• Page