would love to know how the Navy has changed your Sailor

[Melohhdee Div948 PIR10/15/10]

i got the box of his stuff from boot camp today. ive been doing okay, i miss him and im happy that i start school again monday.

during his last week the recruiters and everyone at MEPS keep telling him that I, the wife comes first, and they keep reminding him and i totally loved that because i always feel that my husband doesn't put me first. we've been through a lot, a lot of tears but a lot of memories as well, but i need to know if he might come back a different man, im hoping a better man.

i dont really want to put down things to bash my husband, he is a good man, but he really needs a lesson on who is at the top of the list.but im just hoping this experience will change him.

wives, mothers, gf, anyone, let me know how it has changed your Sailor. please give me hope for the future.

[Jan (Dennis' Mom)]

My sons recruiters were great! Master Chief basically told my son the same thing. "You will write to and call your mother!"

[Sheila]

Hi my son was one of the Sailors on the USS CARL VINSON who came to the aid of Haiti. It did change him, for the better. He has seen and done things now that helped him grow more and to be more compassionate, I am so proud of all our Sailors!

[Arianna24419]

Hi everyone!!
My husband is now in bootcamp as well and his PIR is 10/8/10! He is an amazing husband and an even better father to our 2 year old son. The thing I hope he gets out of the Navy is that he matures a bit more. He consults me for most things, except when he wants to buy something for his car, which really makes me upset. He loves his car, and I don't have a problem with that, but what does upset me is that we are not financially stable to splurge and he still does, behind my back, before paying the bills!! I hope that the Navy teaches him to be more responsible and that he matures and sees that our wants shouldn't come before our needs.
I know he means well and he loves my son and I more than anything, but he does need to mature a bit. He had an amazing recruiter and I feel so comfortable with them. They are great in the office and very helpful!! We are really lucky!
Wishing everybody much luck with their Sailors!!

[momof2sailors]

One of the first classes that they have to go thru when first getting to BC is a financial class. He does not want to have bills and credit card issues when active duty. It can affect his security clearence.

[Melohhdee Div948 PIR10/15/10]

oh this is good to know, were really good at paying our bills but when things just hit us especially when we live paycheck to paycheck we just got to use the credit card, ive got it down to 1300, im hoping to pay it off when we get out alaska pfd.

[Kim (Dani's Mom ship 10 Div 331)]

Hi Arianna, my daughter's graduation date is also 10/8/10, I can't wait to see her and attend graduation. I am hoping for a change also, she is a very good kid, just lazy, sloppy, couldn't hold a job, so I am hoping this experience kicks her in the butt....From reading all the posts it seems like everyone has changed for the good. What ship & div. is you husband in??? My daughter is Ship 10 Div. 331. I haven't recived a letter yet, I check the post office everyday, can't wait to hear how things are going. Are you planning on attending graduation??? I am counting the days, it seems like forever sometimes.From reading other mom's post it has me convinced me not to stay at the Ramada, I think I may look around a little, since we are not flying and decided to do the 12hr drive I think we might splurge... Nice hearing from someone else that has the same graduation date!!!!

[Jan (Dennis' Mom)]

My son PIR is 10/8 ship 10, div 337. I'm in Cincinnati, and will be driving 6 hours to get there, and looking into the least expensive motel. I'd rather have the extra money to spend on my son. Has anyone heard anything about Motel 6? Less than $50 a night.

[Denmacy]

Hi there!

I am not sure about hotels under $50 a night, but the Navy Lodge (or Naval Lodge) offers rooms that are $65 dollars a night. It is also about a 7 min drive to RTC.

Hope that helps =)

[Melissa]

Its been 706 days since PIR and Charles is deployed right now, He has changed he is more focused knows what he wants. HE is still the same man that he was. When he comes home on leave he still doesn't do his laundry and I wait on him hand and foot. I want to though, I figure he deserves it and I still get to play mom. I will tell you a funny story. After PIR he was able to spend the night with us. I had bought him a soda, and he asked me if he could go throw it away.... I said sure honey and he ran over to the garbage can and came back as if his pants were on fire. That would be what BC does they are trained and if they want to make it, they will comply. I truly believe that my son found himself in the Navy, he went in a young man and they made a grown man out of him. At 23 years old he is already saving for his retirement.

[julie]

our daughter left a very creature comfort person and not very sure of herself and now we have a daughter that believes in herself and her self worth, is able to stand by herself and knows that there are things that have to be done they may not always be easy but they still need to be done. She has learned to believe in herself and in what you want and that you can make it happen. i"m very proud of what she has become and who she has become and even though i was not real happy with her decision to join i have turned out to be a very proud navy mom

[ronspatricia]

As the girlfriend-turned-fiancee of a sailor I can tell you that many things about Ron, at least, have changed for the better. He is a doleful person in general, but the best example of change I can give you is this: before the Navy, he swore up and down that I was too good for him, that he couldn't keep me, I would leave him and find someone else, he never trusted me or let me in or anything. It was the downside to our relationship for sure. When I said I cared about him I don't think he believed it, at least not fully. He was sweet and caring and did love me, but wasn't dedicated; he was detached. His best friend and I had a conversation about it and his friend said that he was that way to ALL his girlfriends. That he just sort of breezed around with not so much commitment in mind. Which I guess in short is his selfishness showing through.

Now, after boot camp and A School and about a month on the ship, he shelled out tons of money for me to come visit him, dressed up in his dress whites, BOUGHT FLOWERS!! (he's never bough flowers for ANYONE....I was thrilled) and waited at the bottom of the stairs for me in the airport. We stopped by several stores for supplies for my birthday and he was so polite and conversational with everyone, and he walked right beside me everywhere he went. I think being lonely in the Navy really taught him to care for those that care about him and to not be afraid of committing himself to that kind of caring.

I really hope your husband has a similar experience. Ron always treated me like a slippery treasure he loved but wouldn't fight for......after his 7 months in the Navy he's changed that into wanting to marry me. There are other changes he's gone through, which the others have covered (posture, manners, respect, strength, etc) but I figured the romantic/relationship aspect of it was really the most relevant to elaborate on. I will keep my fingers crossed for you!!! The Navy has been incredible for our relationship :)

[Emma]

i find all of these stories to be really uplifting. my husband left for basic last tuesday and he definitely has some growing up to do. its nice to know that it is possible and i might actually have something to look forward to from all of this.