Daughter Leaves from Jacksonville, FL 9/17 - Anyone Else?

[cab1213]

My 19 year old daughter is leaving out on 9/17 and I was just wondering if anyone else out there has a loved one leaving the same date?  I come from a military family, dad's retired Air Force and I spent a few years in the Air Force, so I have a bit of an idea of what she'll be going through. I actually had a good time at Basic and technical school, so I hope she will also.  I'm sure I'll be a little anxious when she leaves, but mostly I'm just hoping she goes in, embraces the experience and does well.  We went through a rough patch (putting it mildly) from the ages of 15-17, so I was completely thrilled when she told me earlier this year she intended to enlist in the military.  I think it will give her some direction, and a new level of maturity.   

[daizygirl72]

Hi cab1213! My son is also leaving the 17th. His brother left for bc last year on the 5th. He is now in Japan on the uss Fitzgerald. It was really tough two months for me last year and as the date gets closer I am getting more and more anxious. His brother did fine and I know this one will be fine too. But as a mother it is a really trying two months. That's why I was so relieved to find this forum last year,the support and information from the women on here is amazing.

[cab1213]

Is your son leaving from Jacksonville?  She seems to be doing good, but I'm sure as it gets closer she will get more and more anxious.  I'm trying not to focus on it too much, but I'm sure I'll probably have a meltdown the day she leaves, but I'm going to try to hold it together till after she's gone so she can't see it.  This will be the first time she'll be away from family and friends for more than a few days without being able to talk to one of us regularly. I know even though I've been through the experience myself and know they'll take care of her, that I'll still worry. 

[daizygirl72]

My son will be leaving out of Cleveland. We are all getting a little anxious. Going to see his recruiter for the final visit tomorrow. Thankfully his brother went through this last year so we feel kind of prepared. Been going through "the book" a lot so he can succeed on the test. I think the uncertainty of it all is stressful too. Not knowing if when they get there if all the paperwork is in order and then there is the physical part. Reading all the heartbroken recruits that are sent home because of one reason or another, and knowing that anything can happen is really hard to wrap one's head around. It is quite a journey. After last years graduation and I saw new sailor for the first time, he couldn't contain his own pride at getting through it. I think we have about 400 pictures from at the wknd and I don't we ever stopped smiling. We stayed at the navy lodge and they were awesome. That first shower he took after graduation he said was the best of his life lol. They really appreciate the little things. He is now in Japan and coming home for his brother's pir in November. Haven't seen him since January. God willing it will go as planned! I love this forum because I don't think people who aren't going through it have a clue how amazing yet emotional this naval journey for us all!

[cab1213]

You're a Navy Mom professional!!  I know she'll be crushed if she can't get through BC for whatever reason, I don't even want to think about it!  I know a couple of people who lived in Japan as both active duty and military spouses and they loved it over there.  It's definitely someplace on my bucket list!  I will keep you and yours in my prayers, keep in touch and let me know how it's going.  Cheryl

[AZerin303]

My son leaves from Phoenix on 9/17, it's exciting, but scary. He's been pulling away from me, and I know that's good and he's doing it unconsciously. But it's still hard.

[cab1213]

I've noticed that with my daughter a little too, I guess it's just part of the process of them getting used to being away from us.  I can't believe how quickly the time is passing, she formally enlisted in May and Sept seemed like such a long ways away, and now it's just under 2 weeks till she goes.  

[AHawk76 (Div 920)]

Hopefully we will see you at MEPS on Tuesday.

[AZerin303]

I think my husband is going to go. I would be a mess and he doesn't need or want that. We're going to spend all day together next Friday instead. Seeing me cry upsets him.

[cab1213]

Well she had her first official pre-boot camp meltdown at 2:00 in the morning a couple of days ago.  I was trying to hold it together and stay strong while trying to calm her down.  She had a full on panic attack pretty much, expressing how nervous she was now that it's getting so close, and how she's used to being able to talk/text with me everyday even when she's off with her friends, etc...and she doesn't know how she's going to handle not having that ability to communicate with her friends and family all the time.  She had to go yesterday to meet with her recruiter and at one point started crying, and I shared with him that she had the meltdown a couple days ago.  Where he had been very stone-faced with her up to that point, he softened his demeanor with her for a few minutes to reassure her everything was going to be fine, that she what she was feeling was completely normal and something almost all recruits go through it as it gets close, and her "Navy Family" was going to take care of her while she was gone.  I was thankful to him for dropping the tough façade for a few minutes, I think she really needed to see that more compassionate side of him, even if it was just for a couple of minutes.  I know she's scared, and I guess I am too a little bit, but I know she's tough, a lot tougher than I think she even realizes, and she'll be fine.  She's really close to her max weight, I think she's been doing a lot of emotional eating the past few weeks, so that's something else she's got to get in check.  I hope the meeting yesterday maybe calmed her nerves a little and helped her get her head cleared and re-focused. 

I've gotten such good ideas from this forum and am really glad I came across it.  I've got my list started of things I'm going to do before she leaves based on what I've read on various posts.

[AHawk76 (Div 920)]

My daughter is leaving also from Phoenix on 9/17. Our count down has already begun. Getting excited and anxious and teary eyed every time I think about it. She is my oldest of 6.

[cab1213]

I hope she can connect with someone either on the way or as soon as she gets there so she'll have a 'buddy'. One of her male friends from here is leaving next week, so he'll be there the same time as her, but of course chances are probably small they'll see each other while there.  She's my youngest, 19, and we've always been really close, even when she was going through the 'terrible teens', so it's going to be harder on me than I'm letting on to her.  Maybe we can get them to email or something before they leave so they can at least feel like they'll know someone else going the same day and going through the same emotional stuff.  Let me know and I'll talk to her.

[AHawk76 (Div 920)]

Thanks I really appreciate that!!!