Feeling Really Worried

[RMac]

I just received a call from my SR son, he's been in boot camp a couple of weeks now.  The reason he was allowed to call was for his security clearance, and they needed him to call and ask for a couple of thing's.  In that phone call I asked if he was free to talk a little bit and he said "ya sure". I asked him how he was doing and he said was fine, but then he started to not sound "fine", he said " I'm doing this for you and dad". I noticed his voice sounded terrible, like he had a bad cold. I asked if he was sick, and he said "ya", He went on to say that the first couple of days he was pretty sick, but in a rather abrupt way he followed that with "I'm going to do this for you and dad". This really started to worry me because his voice trembled, and he sounded like he was about to break down, and  he doesn't ever talk like that, or breakdown for that matter. He's a pretty strong kid, who was Captain of his football team for 4 years. He's always had a warrior mentality. I maintained my composure and started giving him a pep talk, rather than let him know any real concern I was having, so I brushed it off and I told him thing's like hey bud, don't worry about us, we're fine, everyone is doing great, you know same old, same old around here, and we can't wait to see you when you graduate. Bet your hungry, since you're one of the tall guys, I hear they don't get time to eat as long as the other people etc. He "sort of" chuckled at this and then said " ya, that's one of the problems, but mostly it's just some personal issues I'm going through". Yikes!!! Again, I brushed it off, and said well I just want you to know that we are proud of you, and don't worry about us, we're doing great etc. He then again just abruptly said "well I love you guys" (again voice trembling, and sounding like a bad cold, then he just said "I gotta go, bye".  

I've never heard him like this before. When he left he was in tip/top shape, he can run miles without stopping, on and on. I just can't figure out what the heck is going on over there that is starting to break him down? A cold, ya, I can understand but this was way more than just being a bit sick. 

I really hope some of you have some words of encouragement for me. I'm sorta freaking out!

[lemonelephant]

Things are rough at first and most of them get some form of Ricky Crud due to all the germs coming in from all over. Many sound a bit down when making the first call and in the first letter, but usually by about the fourth week in the recruits have figured out that they need to work together and are starting to do things the Navy way instead of their way and things go much better. Just keep encouraging him.

[TexasBird(Robin)]

Hi RMac - When my sailor was a recruit, last August through October, he called after about 10 days because he had mistakenly left his drivers license and SS card in his pants pocket that came home in the "box".  NOT GOOD! The way he sounded I was SURE that he had an RDC very close to him. Probably so close he was breathing on him. They are scared to death those first couple of weeks. Thinking OMG what have I done?!  Don't worry, he is still in the "break 'em down" phase, but he is fine. Every time you hear from him I bet he will sound better each time. About week 4 it seems to get better for them. Not sure why. I think they start thinking like a team and feeling like they can finish. You are doing the right thing by being the strong and encouraging mom. In your letters keep telling him to focus on one day at a time.  When you see him at PIR, you will be so overwhelmed with pride.  I hope this helps you. Please feel free to ask any questions.  Have you joined your PIR group on FaceBook? You will make lifelong friends who you will meet at PIR. Those groups are a Godsend. Have a great evening

[RMac]

Oh thank you, I've sent a letter already, and I'm made sure it's super positive. I used some of the 'letter writing' suggestions from here. I added comics too. :) I anticipated some degree of stress being in that situation. It's just very unusual, as he's always such a super positive person, and super relaxed in all kinds of situations. But you are probably right about the crud. He isn't used to getting sick. I can only think of a few cold's he's even had. He's never had the flu. I just hope it's not kicking his butt, where they end up sending him home. I don't think I've ever been this worried. 

[lemonelephant]

{{{{{RMac}}}}} That's a cyber hug for you.

[RMac]

Robin~ I can't thank you enough for sharing that with me, what you stated sounds like the plausible outcome, and I pray that this is how thing's will go. His reason for calling was they needed a photo of his passport. I guess they want all the ID they can get for security clearance. He also did say that he's flying under the radar there, and hasn't gotten personally yelled at all, and doing everything they say. I guess the only positive thing I can think of, is he called about 9 pm his time, so it was really close to bed time there. (I'm sure it's called something else in boot camp. Haha) My hope is he went back to his compartment, thought about the pep talk a bit and will sleep really well tonight.

One other thing is I know like most others I assume, he didn't hardly sleep for two nights prior to arriving at the RTC. At most he had about 5-6 hours asleep in those two days leading up to boot camp. Then from what I hear they keep them up for a long time. So he's probably very, very, very tired, and just can't catch up on it.

[RMac]

lemonelephant~ Thank you!!!!!!! I needed that! <3

[TexasBird(Robin)]

RMac, I have a funny story about letter writing. After 4 or 5 wks of letter writing I was running out of things to say, so I took the suggestion that I had read from somewhere to write a letter like his dog was writing to him. I thought "oh how funny". Well, apparently THAT was the letter that his RDC "asked" him to read aloud! I found out later that my son did not think it was as funny as I did. Pretty sure he had IT that day.  oopsy...

[RMac]

Oh no.....this is too funny because I did that too, and it should get there in the next couple of days. Haha. We have two 7 month old black labs named Jake & Elwood (after the blues brothers) and my son is head over heels about them, so I wrote a letter from them and wrote it out sort of like a play with each puppy saying something, then the other replying. I thought it was super funny, and would cheer him up.  I hope that his RDC doesn't make him read it. Haha.

[Koltsmom]

Hello Ladies, This is my third time around boot camp activities. I was a Navy girlfriend back in the late 80's then a Navy wife now I'm a Navy mom, my second time around. My son is a July 22nd PIR. RMac you did exactly what you should have done. These kids are pretty sleep deprived right now and alot of them this is there first time away from home. Be happy you heard from your son, my first son didn't call until after Battle stations. They are learning alot of stuff in a very short period with RDC's that are not the most patient people. The first 3 weeks are usually the hardest, after that they get into a routine and start to figure out their new life, Just keep sending letters and give encouragement. Remember always that no news is good news and hold on mama your in for a exciting, confusing, unexpected ride.....

[lemonelephant]

Koltsmom, I left info for you on your My Page.