My Daughter Started the Enlistment Process Yesterday!

[PoliceWifeNavyMom]

My 21 year old daughter started the enlistment process yesterday and goes to MEPS on Monday. I am proud, nervous, happy... etc. all rolled into one. This is a HUGE step for her (as it is for anyone I guess).

 

We've always been a bit overprotective of her, she's never been away from home, etc. so I am worried about her going away even though she iss excited and doesn't seem to be worried. 

 

Any other Navy moms of daughters out there that can share some advice, stories, wisdom? I'd so greatly appreciate it! BTW I am new to the community but have been lurking on the forums reading all of the threads, you all are wonderful...thank you SO MUCH for being here for us new navy moms :) 

 

 

Shell 

[PoliceWifeNavyMom]

 THank you SO MUCH! We're a fairly close, Italian family so I don't have to tell you how emotional it can get LOL My mother nearly had a good ole' fashioned Italian anxiety attack when she heard she goes to MEPS on Monday LOL, I may need to video all of this for America's funniest home videos after all is said and done. :) Thanks again, I so appreciate having you here to talk too!

 

Shell

[PoliceWifeNavyMom]

I will keep you posted for sure. I figure being a successful law enforcement family was good practice for adding hte military element to this whole mix. My husband is a retired special agent, but went back to work as a violent crimes detective when we moved to TN...so much for retiring! LOL  I gave myself a headache worrying about her going tomorrow, she is as calm as a clam...I'm the only one wigging out...you are SO RIGHT when you say they will ALWAYS be our baby girls... this sort of feel surreal, you know, like when you feel like you're dreaming but are really awake? LOL Reality will set in soon enough!

[PoliceWifeNavyMom]

I am excited about seeing her sworn in. We had a good long talk today. I am so amazed at how much she has 'grown up' in 3 days. How is this possible? LOL I wish I could capture the look in her eyes and share it with you. I have NEVER seen this in her before. It's enough to really put the worry aside and just be happy for her. 

I can imagine how proud you must be to have both kids in the service. That says SO MUCH for the type of family and upbringing they have had. How inspiring! 

 

I am a published author and wrote a book 2 years ago about protecting our kids in an X rated world, I am seriously considering writing a book about this experience and want to get the stories of moms like you to share with new moms like me. Just coming to this forum and reading and talking to others is so comforting. I'm putting an outline together, when I have it ready, I;d love to interview you, you sound amazing my friend. 

 

I will tell my husband what you said. It feels good to know people appreciate the efforts of our police officers. They face so much junk every day and sacrifice so much to keep us safe. Thank you :) 

[PoliceWifeNavyMom]

Bella, at 17, I would be having a heart attack right about now LOL so young! How are you staying sane?  I am wishing you and your 'little girl' the best too! I am so excited for them! We just heard from Ash, she got a 66 on her ASVAB and she was cool as a cucumber,,, her roommate is also enlisting in the Navy and they hit is off right away... everyone of my fears ended up being in vain! LOL... keep me posted on how your daughter is doing! - Shell

[PoliceWifeNavyMom]

Lady H, that is just OUTSTANDING. I am printing what you wrote to show to BOTH of my daughters and my son as well. You summed it up very well in that post! THANK YOU!

[BunkerQB]

Books For Moms:

1. Honor, Courage and Commitment by J. F. Leahy
2. Eagles Invades The Nest by R. Lynn Green. This book is written by a member of Navy For Moms.

Books for wives, fiancees and girlfriends, I got the following list from Navy Aunt (AF Wife):

1. Married To The Military:A Survival Guide for Military Wives, girlfriends, and Women In Uniform. by Meredith Leyva,
2. Hope For The Home Front by Marshe'le Carter Waddell (her husband was a Navy Seal),Military 101 (Fiction) by Tynisa Gaines
3. 365 Deployment Days A Wife's Survival Story by Sara Dawalt
4. Home Fires Burning by Karen Houppert, That Military House- Move It, Organize It, And Decorate It. by Sandee Payne
5. Life After Deployment- Reunion Stories/Advice by Karen M Pavlicin, Spouses Also Serve by Tiffany A Booker
6. Today's Military Wife-Meeting the Challenges Of Service Life by Lydia Sloan Cline,The Treasure of Staying Connected for Military Couples by Janel Lange
7. The Complete Idiot's Guide to LIfe as a Military Spouse by Lissa McGrath, Surviving Deployment by Karen M Pavlicin
8. The Mocha Manual to Military Life by Kimberly Seals_Allers with Pamela M. McBride
9. Separated By Duty, United in Love- A Guide to Long Distance Relationships For Military Couples by Shellie Vandervoerde
10. When Johnny/Joanie Comes Marching Home by The Revernd Dr. Lester L. Westling, Jr.(USN)
11. Military Spouse's Complete Guide To Career Success- Finding Meaningful Employment in Today's Global Workplace by Janet I Farley
12. How to Survive A Move edited by Jamie Allen and Kazz Regelman
13. Jobs and the MIlitary Spouse- Married, Mobile and Motivated for Employment by Janet I Farley
14. A Year of Absence-6 women's stories of courage, hope and love by Jessica Redmond
15. They Also Serve Who Sit and Wait by John Milton

[BunkerQB]

Emma, is this the book they get at bootcamp?

I got the following five additional books from Sweet Southern Lady:

16. Navy Spouse’s Guide by Laura Hall Stavridis
17. Help I’m A Military Spouse – How To Craft A Life For You As You Move With The Military by Kathy Hightower and Holly Scherer
18. Going Over Board, the misadventures of a military wife by Sarah Smiley
19. Homefront Club: The Hardheaded Woman’s Guide To Raising A Military Family by Jacey Eckart
20. Service Etiquette 5th Edition by Cherlynn Conestsco (especially good for those who will be entertaining for their job or spouse’s job – FRG leaders & officer/warrant officer wives)

I am keeping a master list - in case anyone ever needs it.

[BunkerQB]

If other moms are OK and give you written permission to use their stories for you book - so be it - go for it. Many of the stories are intensely personal and gut wrenching. We are all here to support each other and many of us have freely given hundreds of hours to help each other and new moms in particular. I would be extremely offended if I disclosed something about my sailor and it found it's way into a book without my explicit written permission - which I doubt I would ever give.

I thought your advice to frandrea on the "Anyone else?" discussion was spot on.

Regards, BQB

BTW, R. Lynn Green is Rebecca M, a member of the Tennessee Navy for Moms group. You might want to talk to her about writing a book.

[PoliceWifeNavyMom]

Hi Bunker, thanks for the list of books. I will defiantly check some of them out.  I would NEVER take anyones stories without asking. As with most law enforcement writing, names, places, etc. would have to be changed to protect those who serve. Also, I'd have to present my idea to my publisher to see if they think there is a need for it, I personally do, but they ultimately make the final decision. 

 

I hope frandrea comes out on top of her situation. Families and friends can mean well, but unless they are living a situation every day with all that comes with it, their advice can sometimes be hurtful. I could tell you a doozy story about my mother's reaction to my daughter enlisting.  We haven't told her that my youngest is 95% sure she is going to enlist in June as well.. OMG it would get flat ugly LOL. 

 

I'll look for Rebecca for sure! Thanks! It's great to know there are others close by!

 

Have a GREAT DAY! And thank you for all you do here! 

 

Shell 

[BunkerQB]

I could definitely see a comedy of sorts. I have been in a few pretty hilarious situations myself. Good luck.

[PoliceWifeNavyMom]

GREAT NEWS EVERYONE!  I just talked to my daughter, she got a 66 on her ASVAB and they got her college transcripts as well, She will be going in as an E2! She had a perfect 4.0 in college but I don't think that counts towards anything, does it?  I AM SO PROUD of her!!

[PoliceWifeNavyMom]

Hey everyone! Ok, my daughter survived MEPS with flying colors! The bad part is, there were NO jobs! She is in DEP and broadened her choices which they said would open more possibilities for her. She was also told to come back on Thursday and take the DLAB.  She was so disappointed. Me too a little. I hope she doesn't have to wait too long :/ Anyone else have any words of wisdom or encouragement for me to offer her?