6 Days!!!

[timidamoeba]

I myself am leaving for the Navy next week. I will be at MEPS on Tuesday, and Wednesday I'll be at RTC. I am 18 years old and just graduated high school. I decided to join back in January, so that's just what I did :) At first, my dad didn't really know enough about the military and would've rather seen me go to college instead. Me being the youngest of 4 and the baby girl, my mom wasn't too thrilled. I am the first of all my siblings to decide to join the military. I am also the first of all my cousins to decide to join the military. I have 5 aunt and uncles altogether and 4 of them had kids, so trust that I have TONS of family members! Haha. My aunt is in the Air Force reserves and has 8 kids of her own. She lives in Nebraska and I live in Ohio, so I can't say that she really inspired me. But her daughter who is a year younger than me, is now starting to consider going military.

I've never really been considered a "big deal" in my family. I took auto tech to try to do something different from everyone else, and I ended up falling in love with it. I took it for 3 years and graduated at the top of my class. My mothers little China doll (as she calls me b/c I'm "small, fragile, and beautiful") graduated and did better than all the boys! Haha. I was even the only one in my class to have the opertunity to go to Ford AAA contest. I was the VP for SkillsUSA. Let's just say, my family would have never expected me to be the person I am today. Haha!

Before I considered the Navy, I knew I wanted to be a turbine mechanic for jets. As I started doing personal research on this, I started discovering how perfect the Navy would be for me. So, I talked to a recruiter, went to MEPS, and I ended up getting the rate GSM. Even though I won't be working on the turbines for the aircraft, I'll be doing it for ships which is just as cool to me and I absolutely cannot wait!

I guess the point of this blog is that I need to admit to somebody that I am also very scared. I know it's taking a toll on my mom and dad especially. Neither of them want to let go of their baby. All of my siblings still live in Ohio around the same small town we all grew up in. I am determined to make a difference. I am determined to make my family proud. To put my family name out there. To give my family something to brag about. But I am also doing it for myself. I feel like this is my destiny. I need to live a life of adventure before I become old. When people ask me why I decided to join the Navy I always tell them "I don't really want to just exist in life".

At first it started out about the money and the college oppertunity. But the more I look into it, the more and more I become patriotic about it. I'm hoping that my family is just as excited as I am. This site has really helped me out. Please, look after my parents and be there for them while I cannot. I believe my dad is going to make an account because I was highly reccommending it to him. Haha!

Good luck to all of you and your family's and God bless :)

[timidamoeba]

Yes, Anti M search and add me on facebook :) My real name is Corinne Leake. (Idk if they put that info on my profile or not.) And thanks for the advice about the banking. But will I be able to give my dad POA for that bank account even though I won't get it until I get to boot?

And yeah, I know Ohio will always be my home but what I meant was like when I say "I'm going home" I'm not going "home" to Ohio. I'll be going home to my ship. Haha. But I see what you guys are saying. I'm hoping ALL of my family and friends will write but unfortunately I don't really see that happening :-/

[Katy]

Congratulations and Thank you! My son is just completing his basic training and I am pretty sure he would welcome you to the Navy family with the great sincerity. You are obviously well prepared for this life decision and we all applaud you.
Enjoy your last 6 days IMMENSELY! Read a book - see a movie - go swimming - try something new before going off on this new adventure too!

[TxNavyMomWifeCPO(Ship6Div941)]

Timidaboeba my family was much like yours. My dad and mom were unfamiliar with the whole military thing and strongly discouraged me from joining after high school. I did not initially follow my heart and regretted not joining. I met my husband Denis who was a sailor and eventually earned his commission in the US Navy after we were married. The thought of joining the service came back to me and I proudly enlisted with my husband issuing the Oath of Enlistment to me in March of 1998. I never regretted that decision and cannot tell you the pride of belonging to the greatest Navy the world has ever seen. It is especially of great pride and joy to be a woman in the U.S. Navy. I am very proud of you for your decision! You will see and do things that most young adults will never get to see! And do things of such greatness that most people will never get to achieve! Young women like yourself, and my daughter who left for boot camp the end of June, give me such pride in knowing that the torch will be passed from the likes to me to you and the traditions and our Navy Core Values of HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT will live on. I am very proud to call you my SHIPMATE!!!! Very Respectfully Yeoman Chief Petty Officer S. H. Moody

[ProudMadre,of2sailors]

Wow.... very impressive. I just got back from my daughters graduation and she is loving every minute of her new life. I am sure you will do awesome.