Starting a new Journey

[Sharon ~ K's Mom]

Well, I will start this to document my journey as my son, Kyle starts a new chapter in his life. At present time he is a 17 year old high school senior. He has a girlfriend, Kelsey and they have been together since last summer. Kyle decided a while back that he wanted to fly jets and was interested in the Navy. We were supportive from the get-go and continue to be. He researched his options as this is one child that uncovers all stones and makes an informed decision on everything. He applied to colleges that have great aviation programs, Auburn University in AL., Jacksonville University in FL., Eastern and Western Michigan Universities in MI. He has been accepted at each, though Auburn is his number one choice. He has developed an relationship with the local recuiter and staff and he did so well on testing that he was offered to take the Nuclear testing and did so and passed. So, he made a choice to be on a submarine when the time comes. Then again, he has the opportunity for receiving an ROTC Scholarship as well as an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. What choices our son has, how blessed he is to be able to have these opportunities. We won't know for a bit in regards to ROTC and the Academy, the waiting is a bit stressful to be honest. In the meantime, he goes to his DEP meetings which will now take place one a week starting next week. We dropped in on the recuiters yesterday because we needed some information and to meet the new recuiter that has taken over the office. Well, you know how you are supposed to have the 72 hour meeting? Well, ours was scheduled and then cancelled by the Navy and we never had this meeting. The new recuiter looked at the other recuiter (who has taken this journey with our son) and asked him, "you did go to their house and do the meeting and answer their questions?" I spoke up before he could and said, "No, we never had the meeting, the Navy cancelled it and that is why we are here today to understand what is expected and to get on the same page." The recuiter looked at his boss and actually said "yeah." What???? NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, again I made it very clear that they (Navy) cancelled the meeting and did not come to our home. Kyle missed the DEP meeting last week and the boss didn't like it. We told him that it was our fault and we told him that it was personal family business that caused him to miss this meeting. Again, the 72 hour meeting would have let us know that there are reasons for him to attend these meetings. He went on to tell us that he got his butt chewed on. Our son went the next day and was with the Captain and explained everything to him and things are good. Even so, the boss told me that Kyle will have to give him 25, as in push ups because he didn't come and he got his butt chewed out. Well, maybe he deserved to have it chewed for not having the meeting we should have. This does not make me a happy mom and I reminded him that we are his parents, he is 17 years old and we still have say so. He agreed to a point. Well, he is still a minor and we can get him out, they don't want that because they really want him. Well, to bully him is not the way to make parents happy. The reason he got his butt chewed is because we went over his head and our connection isn't too happy with the way that office is being run. This is the second time that we have had to make a call and explain how they are being with our son and some things are not being done the way they are supposed to be done. Again, we go back to the 72 hour meeting that never took place. So, all in all, we are on the same page at the moment and I now have phone numbers. That wasn't forthcoming either, I asked for his card and at first he gave me an excuse. Not acceptable in my book, give me your card. If I place my son in your hands, I get your card and number, plain and simple. So, having his card and ending this meeting we went on our way.

Our son is excited to be in the Navy, whichever path leads him there. We, as his parents are proud and supportive of this fine, outstanding young man we call ours!!!