What's happening with my son?????

[Patty]

 I could really use some help. My son signed up for the Navy in March. He had delayed entry and shipped out to RTC on Oct 3rd. He was committed to going and I felt he knew it was going to be really hard.  I got his box on Mon.  Ive been praying and thinking of him since he left hoping that he was doing ok... Well yesterday he called me and said he was going to be separated from the Navy. He has been seeing a therapist.  He said he started to have anxiety and was depressed and didn't want to live this life style.  My son has had very minor depression ( never debilitating ) and never had issues with anxiety. He was going to go to legal today and said that it would be 4 to 6 wks but it could be 2 ??? before he came home.  He sounded very strange and disconnected and the night he called to say he arrived he sounded like a robot in the 8 sec. call. He said he thought he could call me today and tell me more about (what happened?) but there was no guarantee. I asked him if he was with the other recruits and he said no, he had been watching tv and trying to find something to read??? wth? He gave me his address and he is on ship#5 what does that mean ship #5?  So, I didn't get a call from him today and I am really concerned about whats happening to him? And what I should do. I don't want him to get caught up in some major nightmare.  Any help and advice would be very appreciated. 

[Thetwoj]

Patty, We all know how you feel. It's hard to watch them work so hard at something and fail. However better to find out now than in the middle of a crisis in the Ocean. It takes a few weeks to process out, unfortunatly. That is what it is and can't be helped. Hang in there, write him every day, I send each letter with a return stamped envelope so he has no excuse not to write me. I suggest you start sending him information on schools or training programs in your area so he can focus on what his next step will be. Coming home won't be easy. It's not easy telling everyone you know that you failed and got sent home. You will need to help him with that. I already have a counselor lined up. He should be home in about 3 weeks. I don't think they are isolated from the other kids in SEPS, but it's not summer camp. They are not having any fun because the Navy isn't paying them to have a good time. It's best that they reflect on where they want their life to go from here. 3 weeks is ample time to gather a plan. Hang in there.

[TFAN2]

Hi Patty...So sorry to hear your son is having a hard time and will be shipped home. It is very hard and very emotional for you both. Thetwoj I right though, All you can do is be positive and supportive when you do get to talk to him on the phone and write postive letter. Part of the seperation process will be the Navy giving him websites and such to point him in the dirrection of getting a job once he gets home. Just keep reminding him that is is AWESOME that he even tried but military life is not for everyone and there's no shame in trying!!! Part of the reason it takes time to process them out is the Navy needs time to get them shifted back in to civilian life. It's amazing what the Navy has to do to get them ready to serve in 8 short weeks and when they have to reverse gears to send them home it takes a few days. My son said, hind sight, he was glad the Navy took several days to get him home. he was shocked at the different mind set he had after only 3 weeks of bc.
Hang in there and know that we are all praying for you and your son. We are here to listen and send virtual hugs when you need then!!! (((((HUGS))))!!!! Tena