First Phone Call

[Momma Karen]

I was so excited when my phone rang this afternoon a little after 5 p.m. and I saw the area code! I've been writing my girl almost everyday, and getting letters on Wednesday's but that was nothing compared to the feeling of actually hearing her voice again.

 

She sounded like she had a little bit of a cold, or maybe allergies, but she sounded happy.  I'm so proud of this decision she's made. 

 

She's been looking for a place where she "fits" for so long.  She wasn't an athlete in high school, tried college but that wasn't for her, tried to find a full time job with benefits and that didn't work out for either, so it was starting to seem like she was just giving up.  Then one day, out of the blue, she called and said, Mom, I'm joining the Navy!

 

It was her decision to grow up.  And I couldn't be more proud.  After she called I was all teared up because I had almost given up on her "becoming" anything.  Now she's becoming a Navy Sailor! 

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

4senff: Recruits always sound like they have a cold. My grandson completely lost his voice in Marine boot camp and my granddaughter always sounded like she had a cold while she was at Great Lakes. Unfortunately the recruits do get colds. It's all those new germs to which they are exposed.

I am so glad that your daughter has found a place in which she fits in. That has to make her happy and she will have some interesting experiences.

[Mollie...Kelcies Mom]

I know just what you mean, my daughter kind of wandered after high school also. She wasn't ready to get into the college scene either, and full time jobs with benefits are really hard to come by right now. The navy has been a great experience for her and she has grown up a lot in the last 3 years. Our letters mean the world to them while they are in basic, as do theirs to us. I still have every one of them, and I lived for Wednesdays, when her letters arrived. One thing my daughter really enjoyed receiving was post cards from the area we live in. I picked up ones of all the local "tourist" attractions that we took for granted living here, but she enjoyed being able to share them with her barrack friends. I would also send her newspaper clippings from our local paper. She loved those also. I remember being so worried that Kelcie would get in....hate it...but be stuck for 4 years, but I couldn't have been more wrong. She has never once regretted her decision to join.

[Anna]

4senuff,
I am so happy for you!!! I remember how exciting that first phone call was and that was almost two years ago!!! Let those tears fall - you earned the right to every one of them!!! And yes, I think all the recruits get sick at one time or another while in bc. Some seem to be sick the whole time!! Remember they are also getting lots of shots when they first get there and those can cause some reactions that make them ill.
God Bless your daughter for her decision to serve our great country, and Bless you for raising such a fine young lady!!!!!

[Mollie...Kelcies Mom]

Just warn your recruits to be VERY careful of ANY open wound. My daughter wound up with MRSA while in bootcamp. It is so rampant in settings like that. She got a sore on her hip, where her utility belt rubbed, but wouldn't report it, cause it was her last week of bootcamp, and she didn't want anything to stop her from graduating with her class. The infection spread all the way down her leg, and she could hardly even walk during PIR ceremonies. She was not able to participate in the ceremony, but got to sit with us. They shipped her straight over to the VA hospital next door to Great Lakes immedietly after the ceremony, and she wound up spending the next 4 days in the hospital. Didn't get to enjoy her weekend with family. But I was able to extend my stay there to be with her until she was released to go back to Great Lakes. By the way, I have worked in the medical field for the last 25+ years, and was VERY impressed with the care she got at the VA hospital there.

[Anna]

Mollie,
Wow ~ I hope she completely healed from that!!! MRSA can be quite serious I hear, is she all ok now?

[Blondie]

ain't that the truth!, just with hearing their voice tells us SO much. but wait till you get that HUG after PIR, it's the BEST!!!!

[Juniboop]

Your kid could be my kid. It was encouraging to read your post. Thanks

[Red]

So happy for you and your daughter.

[maryann897, Ship 14/Div 274]

My daughter has always been quiet. She was so close with her boyfriend in high school, her friends often didn't include her in trips to the mall or parties. Even in college, she made few friends. I worried that she didn't fit in. She was studying for a sign language interpretor career, and though it might have been quite interesting, she thought it would be too boring. When the boyfriend broke up with her, she felt like she should follow her dream to learn to fly, so she said she was going in the Navy. Following your dream when you're young is the best avenue to take, and I can't be more proud of her. She's in bootcamp now, and the quiet girl was named Chatty Kathy...lol....if they only knew.

Last night, she got to call home, and it was wonderful to hear her voice. Besides the combat boot blisters and some knee pain (not much time to stretch before strenuous exercise) she sounded great. I can't wait for graduation day!!! Not only am I proud of her, I admire her. She's going to make an outstanding sailor and officer someday.

[Dena]

I cried so hard when my girls called while at boot camp. We wrote alot of letters (I saved every one) so I kinda knew what was going on in their world but I never dreamed how much I would miss them when they left. I still miss them so much. They are stationed in Norfolk and Oceana, VA. The younger one just returned today from a 7 month deployment to the Mediterranean. She is so happy to be back on land. She will come home for 10 days Aug. 7. I cant wait to see her!!!