After Boot Camp

[Proud Mom]

So my son writes me and wants me to bring his game system, tv and all his video games to him after graduation. How much supervision is there going to be? I don't want to bring all this stuff because it will distract him fro his studying. All that game stuff was a huge problem durning high school. I don't want to encourage it at all. Any ideas of how life will be at bootcamp?

[Lynne]

My son asked for those things as well and I will be sending them to him. You will be surprised at the changes in your son. I have been amazed this weekend at my son's clear sense of right and wrong, his focus and his strong work ethic. HE watches the clock. When I said something about his collar or his shirt, he gently looked at me and said "I am a member of the United States Navy and I have military bearing and can pass my uniform inspections with a perfect score. In fact, I am a beast at ironing. It's okay mom I can take care of myself." Those words made me so proud and yet brought tears to my eyes because in his own way he was letting me know he was grown now. He can manage his own money and he can manage his own time including the time he spends on video games. As moms we worry, but your son will be able to take care of himself. Just think we are putting the welfare of our country in your son's, my son's, and many other paren't children's hands to protect and serve. If they can be trusted with that they can surely manage a few video games. Like Jessica said, when they leave boot camp they are more disciplined, but even in A-school they don't have tons of room. I would ask him to clarify, insure he knows what will be provided for him in the room, and simply suggest he chooses wisely since he probably won't be in A-school forever and will have to move all that stuff again. Good Luck!!

[Anti M]

He may be in a temporary room at first, so will need to keep his possessions locked up. Theft is a sad reality of barracks life. He;ll just have more stuff to move, but he won't start school right away. None of them do, there;s always a waiting period on hold. Also, if he does not check into his a school on Friday, he cannot take anything back to the RTC side when he returns each night. This is why we're asking where his A school is, so you will know if he can take his things right away or if he must wait until Monday, or when he gets on the plane. A matter of logistics.

Most studying is done directly in the classroom, most of the material does not leave the building. if they begin to slip on their grades, they are assigned mandatory study at the school. They can't even have their cell phones on them in the school building. Lots of the sailors are deep into games, but they never let their studies slip. In high school, you don't get threatened with being sent to the fleet to chip paint if you fail. Quite the motivator.

[Proud Mom]

Right now he will be staying there at Great Lakes for school. I know he will be a different person but that part of his life I am not so sure. I think he has a problem with this. I have written him and told him I don't thing it is a good idea yet. He needed to wait.

[Lynne]

I think Denise is right...and I am wrong...don't laugh Denise...I am only wrong once a month....lol!!! Old habits die hard and you know your son best...I might be overwhelmed with the immediate changes...he did leave his new "civilian" shoes that he had to try on laying in the middle of the hotel suite for everyone to trip over...just like home...lol!!

[abbyblue]

DO NOT TAKE THINGS HE doesnt want maybe get broke or dispear,things like those are to easy to be taken. tell him to wait until he gets to his duty station and has a place of his own. ext.