Our Navy Journey - Anchors Aweigh

[Nancy69]

After reading so many letters blogs, and posts here - I thought that perhaps I'd start a blog about this crazy journey our family has now embarked on called the Navy. My only son, Chris left for RTC on January 11th. In many ways, I think his journey toward the Navy began many many moons ago. For the vast majority of his life t has been he and I - a dynamic duo. His dad and I split when he was three and his father has never maintained a consistent presence in his life. Fortunately, we have been blessed with wonderful family and friends. I have many friends who are either in he Navy themselves or are married to a sailor. They have played a formative and significant part in Chris's life at different points over the years. They range from high school friends that have become Navy wives to young men who have worked for me and enlisted in the Navy, to good friends who serve as officers at different locations and in different fields. He was taken to Navy Seal family days, and toured parts of Naval Stations - rode frog boats and listened to Navy tall tales..LOL. Service is also in his family. His dad was in the Army. My dad was a Marine in the Korean War. So - perhaps it was all formed there...
With all that said..God love my Chris...he has never been the most athletically inclined kid save SWIMMING. He is a fish! In his early tears he was "pudgy" and I think a bit sheepish about sports because of it.He did join wrestling as a freshman and the poor kid broke his wrist in practice. So, I'd be lying if I said that military service seemed inevitable. But, by his senior year of high school things had changed a bit. He felt that he needed some direction and that perhaps college was not the best idea for him straight away. He explored the Air Force but settled on the Navy in the end. That was nearly a year ago now. He spent about 10 months in the DEP program. hen he started he struggled to do 5 push ups and run 2 laps. The week before he left he had passed the PFA - running his 1.5 miles in 12:06 (only slightly under the 12:15 goal - but what a change). He bested the curl ups and it ups and was ready to go! He study rank and rate, general orders, etc..and led the Sailor's Creed at his DEP meetings. He was excited to go.
So, you can imagine my torment when his first letter home said that he hated it there and knew he wold never make it through 8 weeks. He was over tired, had blisters in his feet, had been given prescription glasses (or as they call them there - birth control). Suddenly the confident young man I saw leave became that toe headed little man twisting his curls, pulling his blanket behind him. My heart sunk. My eyes filled. I fell apart. Helpless, far away unable to offer support - afraid not for his safety - but that he suddenly has become that pudgy little boy and felt he didn't belong. That was Friday. I was hear sick. I told my partner that I just didn't know what to do. She called her brother - an Army medic and Sargent in the National Guard now...he said it sounded t]like typical first week venting and wanted to talk to me - but I couldn't compose myself enough to get on the phone. His wife - also former Army sent me an email and tried to reassure me. I emailed his recruiter - who has become a friend and she also tried to reassure me - a new mom herself though - her perspective has changed a bit and she understood. She suggested this site and so here is where I landed. I found tremendous support and it has been o cathartic for me. Still, I worry...and only want to see Chris be successful, happy, and proud. To believe in himself and not give in to the little boy from years ago.
My surrogate son - and he is like my second son.. is 26 now and has been in the Navy for almost 2 years now. I am again blessed that he is stationed in Connecticut and that is not setting back out to sea until March. I have been able to talk to him and he has begun writing Chris himself. I talked to a friend from high school tonight who is a Navy Commander and he also offered great support. But despite all of tar - it is this forum that helps the most.
My mom used to tell me that no matter how old our kids get they will still be that little red headed girl or curly headed boy. Boy was she right. I hope Chris can draw on the strength that he saw in her. She passed in May and every day when I pray - I remember that see is with him - guiding him, watching over him, and giving him strength. That God has a plan for us all and that He will be with us both every step of this exhilarating, crazy, emotional journey.
To whomever we pray, wherever we live, no matter our race or political affiliation, who we love, our education, our past experiences or future dreams...we are all bound to one another by a common thread. We love someone who has chosen to give of themselves, test themselves, suffer the uncomfortable , face their own demons, and ultimately put themselves in harms way if necessary - all to help achieve a greater good in the world. A more civil, peaceful place where freedom is a right not a word... God Bless each of you on this new voyage. No matter any difference in faith or reason - may you find peace despite the uncertainty and discover the value f friendship on your way...

[Nancy69]

Thanks for the kind words, Judy

[Nancy69]

Thanks, Steve!!

[Nancy69]

Navy Aunt - thanks for your kind words...;)