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Comment by TxNavyMomWifeCPO(Ship6Div941) on August 5, 2010 at 1:24pm

I know alot of young people NOT ready for college right out of high school. I wish I had joined the Navy right out of highschool...but my parents discouraged that for a girl. (I did not join the service until my late 30's!) My heart was not into college and I almost failed my freshman year. The Navy truly gives young adults the tools that make them successful and this will carry on if and when they decide to pursue college. Plus while on Active Duty your sailors will have lots of educational opportunities(including college) that can provide to be useful in civilian life.

Comment by m'smom on August 5, 2010 at 1:23pm

Txnavymom, Thanks for the reality check. As much as we all miss our son/hubby/daughter's, they all made this decision without anyone forcing them into it. Seems like we are all at a point where we miss them terribly but need to stay focused on what they have chosen to do, serve their Country. We all know they are in good hands. The RDC's won't let anything happen to them because an injured sailor isn't much use to the Navy. We need to focus on that and what they are going through right now. Stay strong girls, we will see them soon and they will be much better for what they are enduring and more importantly what they are learning about themselves right now. Focus on the fact that they are all, for the most part, up beat in their letters to us. I have always tried to look on the bright side of things. It does me no good to think on how much I miss him. Heck yes a hug would have been great last week! He and I would have sat for hours crying together over the stupid dog. No good. He's not here...so I go on. I pray harder for him, to distract me from what is happening here. I chat to him in letters as we would if he were here, and life goes on. He chats back in his letters, answering anything I or his father ask. His life is going on also, just somewhere else. Soon enough we will be able to share it all. Keep focusing on the future.
And I can't wait 21 days and about 4 hours from now I get to meet you all!! That is something to focus on!!! Get your hugs ready!!

Comment by Sylvia*Cali-mom on August 5, 2010 at 1:16pm

Trishar & Shannong: You guys worded my sentiments perfectly! I too, worry if my son will regret the next 5 years. But, I have to keep reminding myself that HE did not want college at all. I'm a registered nurse and have always felt that education is paramount for one's success in life....but that fell on deaf ears. Getting him to attend college for at least one semester last fall was like trying to give a cat a bath!!! (If you can picture a cat with all four claws stretched out, hanging on the edge of each side of a water-filled bath tub....THAT! was my son regarding college!)
Well, I take comfort in that this was his decision to join the Navy. Also, my husband (Ex-Navy himself) said that being single and in the Navy is like being in a candy store. You aren't attached to anyone. You really have no bills or payments. You have free room & board. You have bonded with friends for life and get to hang out with them on liberty. Plus, all the money they make is spent without mom & dad constantly supervising them. So they are in heaven!
He's 19. He's young. He isn't in the Marines or Army (Thank God, I'd be a mess if he were!) and in 5 yrs he'll be 24 yrs old when he gets out. If he wants to attend college, it will always be there waiting for him.

Comment by TxNavyMomWifeCPO(Ship6Div941) on August 5, 2010 at 1:14pm

trishar-I am just like that too! Its hard still. Going enlisted is a very good option because the Naval Academy may not be a viable route for many people. However, it is possible for a person to serve their enlisted time and get out, or go into the Reserves as the pursue their college degree with the post 911 GI bill(this is a VERY generous GI Bill). My husband did that-he was an AD (Aviation Machinist's Mate)--he served three active years right out of high school, I met him about year three of his time. He joined the Navy Reserves, and when to school on the GI Bill. I did my first degree the HARD way--pay as you go--while he had his schooling paid for thanks to Uncle Sam. So, in 1986 after he graduated from college he became an officer and served honorably for a total of 25 active years before retiring as a Commandar. My son is within 1 1/2 years of completing his six year initial active duty enlistment as an AWF2 (boy how time flies!)and has decided to following his dad' route. He will begin his studies as Texas Christian University in 2012--I guess I need to get used to wearing purple :-) Go Frogs!

The other viable option--for some becoming an officer is not what they desire to do. There was one too many "O"s in the family (my husband) and I opted to stay the enlisted route--and after I joined the Navy earned my second degree with the GI Bill but opted to go what I felt was the ultimate career choice for me--to become a Navy Chief!

Just think of it this way. When the college loans come due for his friends and their families, your son will be able to earn a fine education thanks to the GI Bill. I think your son is a very SMART and WISE young man for choosing to do this. He is very grown up in his decision...I told one of my daughter's little guy friends(she was trying to talk him into joining the Navy too, but he tucked his tail and ran away)"Eryn is more of a "man" than any one else her age I know" Why? Because she took the took the path that makes one think out of the box!

Comment by trisha on August 5, 2010 at 12:59pm

Regarding the recruitor, my son has always wanted to be a seal. Lets face it, a small percentage actually make it. Whenever I asked about a "backup plan", he was assured he could do what he wanted, if the seal thing didn't work, he could still do special ops. My husband kept trying to warn him, thats not the case. His contract was signed for Air Traffic Control and if he switches, seems he gives up his spot. If the seal thing doesn't work out, he may end up at the very bottom, waiting.

With all that said, my husband and I have always felt that Casey would go into the service. My son is probably thriving in the enviroment he is in, he actually does really well with boundaries, and boot camp is sure providing that right now. LOL.

TxNavyMomWifeCPO - thank you for your posts, they do really help put things in perspective.

Comment by trisha on August 5, 2010 at 12:50pm

My son wanted to go in right after high school. We told him that we wanted him to wait at least a year, as at the age, things change. He says he has wanted to do this for years. He tried the college thing, hated it (which was very frustrating, as he is a very smart kid) He left almost a year from his high school graduation, and had just turned 19. For my husbands brothers, the navy has become a lifestyle and they seem to be very, very happy. One is a seal and the other a pilot. (They also went to the Navel Academy, so went in as officers) but my husband did Air Force, did his time and got out. I apprecaite all of your posts, its nice to know that I'm not the only worry wart of a mom, who is having a hard time cutting the cord and really letting go.

Comment by TxNavyMomWifeCPO(Ship6Div941) on August 5, 2010 at 12:48pm

An 18 year old? My son graduated from bc a day before his 18th birthday. And I knew a gentleman, Jack Lucas (another Medal of Honor Recipient) who forged his mother's signature so he could join the Marine Corps at the ripe old age of FOURTEEN. He fought on Iwo Jima and was one of the youngest recipients of this great honor. President Truman asked him as he pinned on the Medal of Honor "What are you going to do now son?" Jack replied, "I guess I will go and finish MIDDLE school now." Our recruits are adults and have made their own choices. It is hard to go from being the protector parent to the observer parent who watches as our recruits are transformed. But yes, I would agree, I think the day a child is born to us, we are implanted with the worry gene! Oh boy!

Also, this is what the bc experience is all about...it will weed out the ones not so desirous of being part of the Navy. Your son will know the day he becomes a U.S. Sailor that he made the very right decision. Just remember to have the Tide Stick ready for the smudges that will come from hugging your recruit after liberty is called. When I wear whites I am a stain magnet!!!! :-)

Is being a sailor always going to be a "walk in the park"? Heck no! It is also alot of very hard work and sometimes means doing things we don't like doing. But the benefits and rewards so much outweigh any thing else.

As far as the recruiters go...they are out there...but most are very very good at what they do. But some...my son's recruiter was one of those....we warned her however, "You got a Commander Dad and a Mom who is a Chief with Career Counseling experience, no funny business!" Well she tried to put Chris into some program (National Call to Service) which is not a preferred program. You just need to not be afraid to ask questions. But now, once a recruit is a sailor, they will need to be forth right to not be afraid to ask the right questions...with respect of course.

Comment by shannong1268 (CVN 77) on August 5, 2010 at 12:33pm

Trish..thats my concern too!!! My daughter has had many jobs and career ideas in the last 4 yrs since High School, I wonder if she can commit to 5 years! She cant keep the same job for more than 6mo!!! I guess BC will give them the skills and incentive to make this choice work for them, but they still have their own ideas! Only time will tell!!!

Comment by trisha on August 5, 2010 at 12:19pm

I am proud that my son is in the Navy, my husband comes from a family of servicemen (Navy and Air Force). My son is a good kid, won't say he never got in trouble, he did his fair share of stupid teenage things, but nothing major and has a good head, and heart, on him. My worry is and has been, this decision was made at 18, with a committment of 5 years. His "recruitor" wasn't the most helpful, at least in my eyes. I worry that he will find this isn't what he thought he wanted and until I see him, I will continue to worry. I think serving your country is the most honorable thing someone can do and I am extremely proud of him, I just need to know this is the right decision he's made. He sounded very good on the phone, but as moms, its our job to worry. We leave 3 weeks from today, and I can't wait to hug my sailor.

Comment by shannong1268 (CVN 77) on August 5, 2010 at 12:09pm

WOW, you girls are good!!! The info I get from all of you is so amazing. Im sorry I dont contribute, but I am here for sarcasim and humour!!!!

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