Work hard/success

[MTBCHCK]

There are many struggles our children, our sailors, go through. Each step works to define them and to test their metal. I can only use my sailor as an example. 

First he enlisted about 3 years ago. He had a hold in the Dep because his security clearance was held up for 2.5 years! He still went to all the Dep meetings. He forged on. He saw fellow deppers go to basic and come back for recruiting. Still he waited. Still he did not give up. 

Last winter in mid November he finally was ready to ship to basic. The day he went into the Dep he had a rash on his chest. Stay back until healed. Another 2 week set back. Still he waited. Still he did not give up.

There is so much metal forged during basic training. They come together, work together, become a team together. They get through and we get our "I am a sailor" call. He didn't get the rate he hoped for, but still a great rate. Then he was put into temporary hold. For 2.5 months he was stuck there. Often there was information he would be sent home, no longer a sailor. Still he waited. Still he did not give up. 

Then came the call in late April. He was finally shipping to A school! The one he wanted. Off to South Carolina. He had the metal forged. And on he went. Excited to get going on his life. He now was on his way to be be a Nuke. Waiting to class up. Waiting to start school. 

He started with math. Spent over an hour on one problem. Spent the time working out his issues. He still passed his PRT, but not high enough to phase up. He sets his goals. He will do it. He is forged by struggles of working hard and waiting. Still he will wait. Still he will not give up.