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Comment by BunkerQB on June 8, 2009 at 10:33pm

Our son did OCS in Pensacola. We lived in CA. He flew to Florida, found his way to the base. I recall he got all sorts of instructions near his time for entrance. He did not need a car at OCS. We went to Pensacola for his OCS graduation and flew back together to CA. He did not take much to OCS but he accumulated a lot of stuff there, such as his uniforms. We purchased two big duffel bags at Wartmart and we took several nice suitcases for his uniforms (with hangers). After several week off, he drove across country to Charleston, SC in less than 4 days. I was very worry, offered to pay for shipping his car and airfare. He wouldn't have anything to do with that. He made it just fine. At OCS he had made friends and went into an apartment with three guys. He went on to Ballston Spa for Prototype, then on to Groton, CT. From Groton, his car was shipped to HI where he is right now. They learn fairly fast what to do on their own. It's important that he makes friends. We are just his backup crew - there only if he needs us. Trust me, once in a while, it's still nice to be able to signal an sos and have mom and dad spring into action immediately. BTW, his drive across country was his very first. We got maps from AAA and routed the entire trip. I also checked the internet for hotel accommodations nightly on the computer for him. He would stop for dinner, call us on his cell and I would tell him what was available that night - this is to make sure he didn't get stuck in the middle of nowhere and too tired to continue driving with no hotels in sight. One of the nights, I made the reservation by fax using my credit card because the hotel was getting booked up - the only way to hold a room. I drove cross country from coast to coast a number of times in college with a boyfriend. They were amazing times. We don't realized how big this country really is until you have done that. Having a friend go with him would be idea but this is as good a point as any to start his road to independence. After all, he is going to be an officer and in charge of a number of men. The two and half years in the Navy have given my son the confidence to handle anything.
Trust in the training he'll get at OCS.
Regards, B.

Comment by Sherry James on June 8, 2009 at 2:44pm

Hey Bea ~

Your week at the Country Club Invitational sounds like you were very lucky beneficiary, weren't you!! Good for you and hope that you had a wonderful time last week.

Comment by BunkerQB on June 8, 2009 at 3:41am

It's wonderful that we have each other in this group. Our young officers need our support. They can tell when something is upsetting us. Ladies, keep sending that good energy out. Send positive thought waves to our guys every chance you get. Hey, I believe in some of this ESP stuff.

On a lighter note....

From my son's girlfriend (I can't be too definitive here, since it's been on-and-off for the last couple of years) I just received an email with photos taken at the officer's Ball in HI in April. Wow! he looked sooooooo adorable in his dress whites, tall, dark and handsome and she looked beautiful and blond in her short formal. I am so glad our officers have fun and social events occasionally. If I thought he wouldn't send some missile at my computer, I post the photos. He is definitely camera shy and has a sixth sense when he thinks his mother is showing off. Anyone else out there know more about these Navy balls.
and .....
I have been the lucky beneficiary for having a son in the Navy. For the past week, i participated in a ladies invitational at a swanky country club - 4 rounds of golf, course exquisitely manicured (not a blade of grass out of place) , cordon bleu breakfasts and lunches, cocktail party, tee prices, lovely flowers everywhere - everything was luxurious and heavenly. The member's husband was Air Force (flew jets in the 70s) and is VERY fond of our guys/gals. What a treat for me, just for being his mom. Husband said, "Our son is working day and night and you are doing what???" I replied, "If you can give birth, you are welcome to take my place." So good night ladies, I am going to rest my weary body.
Hugs to all.
B

Comment by KatK on June 6, 2009 at 7:10pm

I have met so many wonderful young men and women thru my son's ROTC unit. I KNOW that these young people are the best and brightest. With them in charge, I feel less uncertain about the future. They are my heroes!

Comment by KatK on June 6, 2009 at 4:15am

I love the blank check comment, too. I will use it, too.

Comment by Paymaster on June 5, 2009 at 9:03pm

Bea....Bravo Zulu!!!

Comment by Sherry James on June 5, 2009 at 7:36pm

Thanks Bea, for being the kind of mom -- and woman-- who stands up for what we believe in.

Comment by BunkerQB on June 5, 2009 at 7:09pm

After 33 years in my business, a colleague asked if we could partner on a project. We made our presentation, the clients asked why my production level dropped in the last few years. I explained that I had two sons who were in the military (one currently an officer and the other left one of our prestigious academies) and having been successful in the business for over 30 years, I thought I had earned a sabbitcial and I chose to take time off to be supportive of my sons. My colleague and I were not hired. In fact, having boys in the military turned them off. My colleague was furious with me for disclosing the information which resulted in the client hiring someone else. At first I was upset, apologetic and thought I should have been more discreet. Then I thought why should I keep it a secret. Why shouldn't I shout it from the roof top at every opportunity. I also spoke to a number of past clients (my own not hers) and asked if this was an issue. My clients could not have been more supportive. Here are some of their comments: "Don't work with anyone who is so unappreciative of our service men and women." - "Who the %#@&l are these people? Tell them to go live in another country and see what it's like." and "You need to get away from these %$#*^%$ commie scumbags."

I have not spoken with my colleague for a month and half and do not miss a thing. Colleagues and friends like that I don't need. I will not be defensive regarding what my naval officer does for a living or apologize for any benefits that he may derive from being a member of the armed forces. If they don't like it, they are welcome to put their sons/daughters in my son's place, assuming their kids have the ability to perform our naval officers' job descriptions, are wiling to go through the train, are willing to be away from friends and family for extended periods, are willing to relocate at a drop of a hat and are willing to take a pay cut to serve their country.

For some of you, I must sound like an old curmudgeon. I believe we need to stand up for our young men and women and put these disagreeable people in their place. I am lucky, I can afford to be selective about the people I chose to work with. The ones who are stuck in a non-supportive work environment need our support. So, if you are in that situation, please know that you have a wonderful, caring group right here.
Regards, B.

Comment by Sherry James on June 5, 2009 at 10:40am

NM ~ love how your sacrifice became a blessings for those in your community!! Of course, we all can see where your your offsprings get their wonderful sense of genoursity, sacrifice and community. I think yours is a wonderful idea and my mom used to do something similiar during the holiday.

Comment by Sherry James on June 5, 2009 at 10:18am

IMO Tiger Cruise are a small thing that the Navy can do to celebrate, embrace and promote Navy families and hopefully greater civilian understanding of the the military. The expense does NOT seem to be too great by any stretch of the imagination.

Dearest LGS ~ I wouldn't worry about your "friend" as I have found from years of personal experience because we live in a free society, one of the prices we pay for this privelege is that some folks just don't respect the cost of that freedom. If your friend has never served in the military and no one close to him has served and this is his opinion just remind him that you, your family and your son pay a pretty high price for him to have his thoughts and for you NOT to agree with them.

Prime example of this a good "friend" of mine works for a huge non-profit that has been doing a lot of layoffs lately, so she is seeking a government job and keeps going on and on about how well qualified she is but no one has given her the time of day. Or a phone call for the job.

Well that's all fine and dandy but anytime I mention my son's application to the Academy she gets all hot and bothered and tells me how MY son should/could go anywhere but to a Service Academy because why should he be part of the military?! He's too bright and talented, blah blah blah....

Well, this just makes me think just smile as I realize that some wonderful vet probably already has started training her precious govt. job!!

Now how does that ol' saying go.... Living well truly is the best revenge!!

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