Regret

[Proud Parent of 3 Sailors]

I am regretting not going to my daughter’s Prototype graduation. She has worked so hard, I haven’t missed any of her other milestones. Everyone told me no one goes to PT graduation. What should I do? She graduates April 19th.

[Kristenz12]

I enjoyed prototype graduation! It’s one of the shorter ceremonies, typically done on the USS Yorktown which was cool! This is their last milestone for a while as she is heading to the fleet. For my husband, prototype was probably the biggest accomplishment as it indicated the completion of the pipeline. Now, I say all of this as a spouse, so others may have different opinions as parents.

[Chipmunk]

Proud Parent of 3 Sailors - I don't know what your work circumstances are or anything, but there is still time to plan and get a ticket, if you really want to be there. We had to wait almost until a week before to get  4 tickets for Power School graduation and coordinate a flight home for our son as well, due to other family circumstances I was dealing with. 

I would talk to your daughter though. There are some sailors who are so tired they sleep through the ceremony. My son knows though that we are driving out to see him and the other day on the phone when I asked about graduation, he said, "I will be there for you Mom." And from our conversation today he is working hard at getting his other qualifications done. If you don't know her schedule, I would text and just ask her to call you when ever she is able to be awake and talk. Find out from her what is most important to her. 

My husband's advice is usually, "Do what you can, when you can, so that you don't have regrets." That said, my sailor doesn't want anyone to have to rearrange or change their schedule in order to accommodate his choice to be a sailor.- So was glad to hear that his younger brother may not make it out for this graduation - And yet, I know he always enjoys seeing us. My husband had just switched companies prior to A school, so missed that one.  To what you can do. 

If you know your daughter's ship, Pm me and I will see if we can figure out. I might be able to at least get a photo for you. I will send a friend request.

Chipmunk

[Proud Parent of 3 Sailors]

She is in New York.

[Chipmunk]

ProudParent - It occurred to me this morning that your daughter might be in BS and not GC. That appears to be the case from your comment. Looking at Googlemaps - if you are possibly located as close as you are to her, then I would say - YES definitely go to the graduation ceremony if you are able. Just be sure to let her know you are coming and talk to her as I mentioned above. I would not try to surprise her, because you may be surprised and find out she slept in, thinking you were not coming. 

And I concur with Mammagoose!

[Mammagoose]

If you can go, GO.....  it will not be a wasted trip.

[Jonman108mom]

Go. This is a once only opportunity. I’ll be there. My son is in New York too and graduating on April 19. We are not only celebrating his graduating prototype which is huge for him but also his acceptance to NAPS and the Naval Academy.

[Chipmunk]

Congratulations Jonman108mom - on your son's accomplishments!!

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

Jonman108mom - BZ to your son!

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

I responded to you in a PM but I'll say it here too - If there's any chance you can go, then do it!  We also went to proto grad in NY (from CA like you) - it's a long trip but worth it.  Just be sure to make sure she will be attending the ceremony.  Some don't for various reasons.  Ours was held in a community center - small and intimate ceremony.  They took the time for everyone to stop & get pictures.  Got to meet other moms from here - had a really nice time (aside from the fact that it was January in NY lol!).  We took one of his gma's with us and she really enjoyed it too.

[JayDee659]

Proud Parent of 3 Sailors, I attended proto grad and loved it.  I'd say that if you can go, do it.

[ProudOfK]

I concur with what others have said. We decided with our son that it made more sense for our whole family - husband and daughter - to visit him on his 4 day weekend and not plan on graduation. Part of that was hearing of Prototype grad being rescheduled or cancelled completely or of sailors not being ready. But in the back of my mind I knew I may just hop on a plane at the last minute so at least mom was there. As it happened he was a bit behind the curve and just finished his checkouts a day or two before graduation and then had his oral boards 1:00 am the morning of graduation. Somewhere in there he indicated he wasn’t going to attend the ceremony but catch up on sleep. I don’t know for sure but can’t help but think that if he knew I was going to be there that he would have attended. And yes I have a continual twinge of regret that I didn’t let my son know at least a couple weeks before that I was planning to come. It would have been the first time to see him in his dress blues too. So if you can go - go. 

[Chipmunk]

Proud Parent of 3 Sailors - I hope your graduation and time with your daughter was wonderful. 

I also wanted to thank you. Your PM comment to me about allowing your daughter time with her friends, helped me to be more willing to do the same with my son and his friends. Even though I had traveled there to see him, I realized that I would get to see him again, and he could potentially never see his friends again. They had been there to be his support and opportunity to play and relax, and I needed to honor that as much as I wanted to spend time with him. Thank you for helping me see things from his perspective.