|
|
 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
  
Location: Jersey Girl | and I for some reason I am just devastated by this decision. He still has to get thru the physical (no reason why he woudn't pass) but will be reporting in 4-6mos.
I can't even think about it without crying and I am so not that type of person....... |
|
| |
|
 No Name Nancy
Posts: 2715
Location: never in the right place | God Bless him for wanting to serve his country. As a Mom I would feel the same way you do. Hugs to you. |
|
| |
|
 Popped
Posts: 20421
Location: LuluLand~along I64 Indiana | oh momma.... i can so understand your concern but (and when, and you will) reconcile with his decision take heart that you raised a strong, independant, and a great human being. Greater love has no one than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | My prayers are with you during this time and the times to come. My son did the same in 2007, disappeared one day and came home enlisted as a Marine. We were packing to send him off to college so trying to wrap my head around what just happened rocked me to the core. You will have many days of crying, fear and just total emotional breakdowns but you will also have so many moments of such overwhelming pride you feel like you are going to burst. My advice is always be there for him, support him 100 %, try not to let him see you cry in later days when the reality of what he has signed on for hits him, he will need all the strength and support he can get. Enjoy the times he comes home and fill it with as many fun memories as you can, let him rest and just soak up being around his family and remember the Marines are his new family now and accept them as such. PM me if you need a shoulder or I can give you my cell number and you can call or text. You will need support just as much as he does. Take care and I am sending you a BIG HUG! Oh and make sure your phone becames a permanent part of your body, you never ever want to a miss call, sometimes they are very few and far between, espescially in the beginning and during deployment. |
|
| |
|
 Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | You are experiencing every mother's heart break and proudest moment all in one. My son enlisted in the airforce after one year of college. He made it his "career".
God bless your son and those who "choose" to protect our freedoms......... |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 372
| ampratt - 2015-06-03 7:35 AM
My prayers are with you during this time and the times to come. My son did the same in 2007, disappeared one day and came home enlisted as a Marine. We were packing to send him off to college so trying to wrap my head around what just happened rocked me to the core. You will have many days of crying, fear and just total emotional breakdowns but you will also have so many moments of such overwhelming pride you feel like you are going to burst. My advice is always be there for him, support him 100 %, try not to let him see you cry in later days when the reality of what he has signed on for hits him, he will need all the strength and support he can get. Enjoy the times he comes home and fill it with as many fun memories as you can, let him rest and just soak up being around his family and remember the Marines are his new family now and accept them as such. PM me if you need a shoulder or I can give you my cell number and you can call or text. You will need support just as much as he does. Take care and I am sending you a BIG HUG! Oh and make sure your phone becames a permanent part of your body, you never ever want to a miss call, sometimes they are very few and far between, espescially in the beginning and during deployment.
All very good advice.
As a matter of fact the best advice I have ever seen on this board.
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2128
| My high school sweetheart enlisted his senior year..that summer he was off to Paris Island. My heart ached leading up to his departure, during those 12 weeks of boot camp, and that was just the start. We stayed together his entire enlistment (4years, 2 tours in iraq, 1 in Haiti). Boot camp is especially tough because you have minimal communication with them, all by letter with the exeption of the 1 short phone call they are allowed to make every few weeks. I will tell you that you will feel enlisted too at times. Those in the military need a strong support system backing them, it usually requires a lot of envolvement from loved ones. You will be so proud of him, and he will too have a tremendouse sense of pride. It takes a heck of a person to become one of the few. There are groups for family members to join for the purpose of sharing information and to provide sources of support and fellowship. Prayers your way! God bless you, and your son. SEMPER FI!
Edited by scwebster 2015-06-03 8:50 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Veteran
Posts: 149
Location: Mississippi | There's a Facebook page called camp courage for marine moms and family. They help a lot of the new members by being there to listen or give advice |
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I feel for you, I have no advice but just wanted to let you know that I understand as all moms would and do, hugs to you  and tell him hes a good man for wanting to help protect our country  |
|
| |
|
 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | Take great pride in the fact you raised a child that is proud of and wants to serve their country rather than the seemingly entire generation that wants nothing more than the latest I-phone and a life paid for by mom and dad or Uncle Sam. God Bless him and keep him safe! 
My dad is a retired US Marine, 27 years, Korea and 3 tours in Nam, my mom is a Marine also. She doesn't have the tours to prove it but let me tell you, in a Marine family you all serve, LOL!!! God Bless you all.  |
|
| |
|
 Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
Location: Dubach, LA | You are now the mother of a HERO. It is an awesome and amazing experience. Do not let him down by failing to be brave enough to support him. |
|
| |
|
 A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | Start practicing your letter writing now. You'll need that skill for the 12 weeks of boot camp. Send letters daily along with care packages as soon as you know what you can/can't send. Boot is pretty tough. The mental game is just as tough as the physical. Especially if they ever end up dropped from training at any point.
Has he chosen a possible MOS yet? I don't think they're recruiting for grunts at this point. No reason for it. They've been pushing people out and refusing reenlistment packages for years now. Downsizing and such.
My sister and I both went into the military as soon as we graduated. She went Navy right before 9/11 and I went Marines in 2006. Mom always knew where we were. I think that's what she liked about it. Lol
Edited by hlynn 2015-06-03 2:38 PM
|
|
| |
|
I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | ampratt - 2015-06-03 8:35 AM My prayers are with you during this time and the times to come. My son did the same in 2007, disappeared one day and came home enlisted as a Marine. We were packing to send him off to college so trying to wrap my head around what just happened rocked me to the core. You will have many days of crying, fear and just total emotional breakdowns but you will also have so many moments of such overwhelming pride you feel like you are going to burst. My advice is always be there for him, support him 100 %, try not to let him see you cry in later days when the reality of what he has signed on for hits him, he will need all the strength and support he can get. Enjoy the times he comes home and fill it with as many fun memories as you can, let him rest and just soak up being around his family and remember the Marines are his new family now and accept them as such. PM me if you need a shoulder or I can give you my cell number and you can call or text. You will need support just as much as he does. Take care and I am sending you a BIG HUG! Oh and make sure your phone becames a permanent part of your body, you never ever want to a miss call, sometimes they are very few and far between, espescially in the beginning and during deployment.
Thank you so much! I just my take you up on that offer! |
|
| |
|
I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | hlynn - 2015-06-03 3:36 PM Start practicing your letter writing now. You'll need that skill for the 12 weeks of boot camp. Send letters daily along with care packages as soon as you know what you can/can't send. Boot is pretty tough. The mental game is just as tough as the physical. Especially if they ever end up dropped from training at any point. Has he chosen a possible MOS yet? I don't think they're recruiting for grunts at this point. No reason for it. They've been pushing people out and refusing reenlistment packages for years now. Downsizing and such. My sister and I both went into the military as soon as we graduated. She went Navy right before 9/11 and I went Marines in 2006. Mom always knew where we were. I think that's what she liked about it. Lol
I know his ambition is to be the elite of the elite (sorry but I do not know the correct term). He still has to take the test so they can determine where he would be best suited. He is a mechanic by trade so I am thinking once they find that out thats what they will want to do with him even tho my son does not want to be a mechanic the rest of his life lol |
|
| |
|
I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | Thank you everyone for your replies! I really appreciate them and have read and taken each to heart. I will definitely do my best to stay strong for him as he transitions into his new life as a Marine. |
|
| |
|
Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
Location: Dubach, LA | Be careful what you write and send to boot camp. The drill sargeants are bad about reading letters from home aloud to the troops. |
|
| |
|
 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| ampratt - 2015-06-03 7:35 AM My prayers are with you during this time and the times to come. My son did the same in 2007, disappeared one day and came home enlisted as a Marine. We were packing to send him off to college so trying to wrap my head around what just happened rocked me to the core. You will have many days of crying, fear and just total emotional breakdowns but you will also have so many moments of such overwhelming pride you feel like you are going to burst. My advice is always be there for him, support him 100 %, try not to let him see you cry in later days when the reality of what he has signed on for hits him, he will need all the strength and support he can get. Enjoy the times he comes home and fill it with as many fun memories as you can, let him rest and just soak up being around his family and remember the Marines are his new family now and accept them as such. PM me if you need a shoulder or I can give you my cell number and you can call or text. You will need support just as much as he does. Take care and I am sending you a BIG HUG! Oh and make sure your phone becames a permanent part of your body, you never ever want to a miss call, sometimes they are very few and far between, espescially in the beginning and during deployment.
|
|
| |
|
A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | CanCan - 2015-06-03 8:55 PM
Be careful what you write and send to boot camp. The drill sargeants are bad about reading letters from home aloud to the troops.
My drill instructors never read letters. But they did go through any photos or care packages that were sent. Keep the envelopes simple. Don't call him Marine at any point in time unless you really want him to get some extra IT time. Lol. He is a poolee. When he gets there, he will be a recruit. When he gets his EGA, then he will be a Marine.
We're weird and different. Heck he won't even use 'I, me, we, he, them, etc'. It will be 'this recruit, that recruit, etc'.
And never ever say 'emergency head call'. We had one recruit running around the squad bay for about 5 minutes with one red and one blue moonbeam yelling 'wee woo wee woo' like an ambulance. Lol. Try keeping your bearing while that was happening.
You'll be alright Mom. Be prepared for depressed letters at first. It's possible that first week or so to hate life. It's a shock for sure. But once things start rolling, it gets exciting. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | Thank him from me. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | fulltiltfilly - 2015-06-03 6:34 PM
ampratt - 2015-06-03 8:35 AM My prayers are with you during this time and the times to come. My son did the same in 2007, disappeared one day and came home enlisted as a Marine. We were packing to send him off to college so trying to wrap my head around what just happened rocked me to the core. You will have many days of crying, fear and just total emotional breakdowns but you will also have so many moments of such overwhelming pride you feel like you are going to burst. My advice is always be there for him, support him 100 %, try not to let him see you cry in later days when the reality of what he has signed on for hits him, he will need all the strength and support he can get. Enjoy the times he comes home and fill it with as many fun memories as you can, let him rest and just soak up being around his family and remember the Marines are his new family now and accept them as such. PM me if you need a shoulder or I can give you my cell number and you can call or text. You will need support just as much as he does. Take care and I am sending you a BIG HUG! Oh and make sure your phone becames a permanent part of your body, you never ever want to a miss call, sometimes they are very few and far between, espescially in the beginning and during deployment.
Thank you so much! I just my take you up on that offer!
Absolutely, just let me know if you need me. I was fortunate to have a Marine Mom befriend me and keep me posted on what to expect during boot, giving guidance on what to send/say and what not to. Keep it simple during boot, send letters and only a few pics. Send nothing that will bring unwanted attention to your son. Don't expect letters from him for a few weeks at the beginning of boot. I know my son enjoyed the brief letters (I mailed one almost every day), a few family pics and bible versus I sent for courage and strength. He will be very busy and you will not, so try to stay busy with your horses, family, etc. Boot time passes very slowly for family members, especially Mom's. As I stressed, keep that phone with you because you never know when they may get a chance to call. It won't be alot. I got 2 calls from my son during boot and that was it. You got this "soon to be Marine Mom"! |
|
| |
|
 Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | The first time you see him in his dress blues, you won't be devestated anymore.....trust me. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | missroselee - 2015-06-04 8:49 AM
The first time you see him in his dress blues, you won't be devestated anymore.....trust me.
I agree, this couldn't be more true! I just got goosebumps when I read it. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 372
| CanCan - 2015-06-03 7:55 PM
Be careful what you write and send to boot camp. The drill sargeants are bad about reading letters from home aloud to the troops.
No they are not
|
|
| |
|
 Concrete Queen
Posts: 1657
| I sent you a PM Fulltiltfilly,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, My son enlisted in the Navy and is leaving in August. 
My son said it as simply as this,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Mom,,, I just want to serve my country. Couldn't be more proud of him. As Im sure you are of your son. God Bless Him. |
|
| |
|
 Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | winwillows - 2015-06-03 11:07 PM Thank him from me.
Yes, please give him a big Thank you |
|
| |
|
 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Prayers for the both of you. And God bless him for his desire to serve his country. |
|
| |
|
 Certified Snake Wrangler
Posts: 1672
Location: North MS | Right now I know they are needing aviation mechanics in the marines (my husbands cousin enlisted and that was one of the open options just this past month). Why aviation in the marines- I have no idea. But I guess planes have to get on marine boats on occasion. Sadly this particular cousin didn't make it through the first week and the whole family had really hoped this option would work out for him. He has taken it very hard and regrets previous actions that ruined this opportunity for him. I believe it could have turned his life around and made a man out of him. Now he is floundering for his next move. Proud of your son for stepping up! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 372
| bluerose2001 - 2015-06-05 2:30 AM
Right now I know they are needing aviation mechanics in the marines (my husbands cousin enlisted and that was one of the open options just this past month). Why aviation in the marines- I have no idea. But I guess planes have to get on marine boats on occasion. Sadly this particular cousin didn't make it through the first week and the whole family had really hoped this option would work out for him. He has taken it very hard and regrets previous actions that ruined this opportunity for him. I believe it could have turned his life around and made a man out of him. Now he is floundering for his next move. Proud of your son for stepping up!
Marine aviation is pretty advanced.
Everything from Helo's to fixed wing fighters.
Bunch of MC pilots flying off carriers everyday.
|
|
| |
|
A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | bluerose2001 - 2015-06-05 3:30 AM
Right now I know they are needing aviation mechanics in the marines (my husbands cousin enlisted and that was one of the open options just this past month). Why aviation in the marines- I have no idea. But I guess planes have to get on marine boats on occasion. Sadly this particular cousin didn't make it through the first week and the whole family had really hoped this option would work out for him. He has taken it very hard and regrets previous actions that ruined this opportunity for him. I believe it could have turned his life around and made a man out of him. Now he is floundering for his next move. Proud of your son for stepping up!
We have fixed wing and helos. We have F-18s, AV-8B harriers, C-130s, prowlers are on the way out now, and UAVs on the fixed wing side. And our variation of the F-35 is finally in testing.
And on MY side, the real side of Marine aviation, is the rotary wing. We just now phased out the last CH-46 Sea Knight (Phrog) for the God forsaken pieces of confused junk the V-22 Osprey. I worked on the magnificent CH-53E Super Stallion, the military's largest helo. We also have Huey's and Cobras, several variants are in commission currently depending on which side of the pond you're on. A Huey is what went down in Nepal for those that didn't know. We lost 6 Marines. We also lost a V-22 and several Marines the next week in a mishap in Hawaii. Major mishaps aren't terribly common but they do happen, on the ground and in the air. It's never easy.
Aviation is a dangerous job. For both the pilots and aircrew AND maintainers. Even at home on the flightline in NC or Cali or Oki or Hawaii. It's always dangerous. But it's awesome too. Coolest job there is.
We were always short handed in our shop. I was an airframer. You have several different disciplines inside of just being a mechanic. Avionics. Airframes. And what we called the flightline shop. Those were the big three O level. Then you have your I level who actually fixed the parts that went on/came off the aircraft. It's a pretty big community of people within a very small organization.
Just a short education on Marine aviation. :) |
|
| |
|
I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | missroselee - 2015-06-04 9:49 AM The first time you see him in his dress blues, you won't be devestated anymore.....trust me.
I was thinking that as well! |
|
| |
|
I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | bluerose2001 - 2015-06-05 3:30 AM Right now I know they are needing aviation mechanics in the marines (my husbands cousin enlisted and that was one of the open options just this past month). Why aviation in the marines- I have no idea. But I guess planes have to get on marine boats on occasion. Sadly this particular cousin didn't make it through the first week and the whole family had really hoped this option would work out for him. He has taken it very hard and regrets previous actions that ruined this opportunity for him. I believe it could have turned his life around and made a man out of him. Now he is floundering for his next move. Proud of your son for stepping up!
thank you :) My son is a mechanic by trade. I am thinking if they find out thats what they will want him to do. His intentions are different tho. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | fulltiltfilly - 2015-06-05 11:32 AM
bluerose2001 - 2015-06-05 3:30 AM Right now I know they are needing aviation mechanics in the marines (my husbands cousin enlisted and that was one of the open options just this past month). Why aviation in the marines- I have no idea. But I guess planes have to get on marine boats on occasion. Sadly this particular cousin didn't make it through the first week and the whole family had really hoped this option would work out for him. He has taken it very hard and regrets previous actions that ruined this opportunity for him. I believe it could have turned his life around and made a man out of him. Now he is floundering for his next move. Proud of your son for stepping up!
thank you :) My son is a mechanic by trade. I am thinking if they find out thats what they will want him to do. His intentions are different tho.
My son's intentions were different as well. They pushed for INTEL but he chose infantry. Go figure. My opinion is that THAT is the most dangerous job in the Marines! Still to this day, he says he wouldn't have changed his mind. |
|
| |
|
 Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | arion - 2015-06-04 9:44 AM
CanCan - 2015-06-03 7:55 PM
Be careful what you write and send to boot camp. The drill sargeants are bad about reading letters from home aloud to the troops.
No they are not
Drill Instructors (drill sergeants are for the army) don't read a recruits mail. They do however have to look at any pictures received in the mail and any packages to make sure there isn't any contraband or tasty goodies in there.
My mom had a hard time with my decision to enlist at first, but she found a group on facebook called 'Parris Island MoMs' and it is literally just like a huge support group. Maybe you can check it out and get some comfort from all the other moms. |
|
| |
|
Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Tell your son thank you for me! |
|
| |
|
I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | Well today my son goes to take the test and physical. Once he signs the paperwork then he will begin the early entry program ( I think thats what its called) He will train 2 days per week and 1 saturday per month. Once they feel he is ready then he will go to boot camp. They said it won't happen before late Oct early Nov.
I am not going to lie. It makes me want to cry. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2128
| fulltiltfilly - 2015-06-15 9:21 AM Well today my son goes to take the test and physical. Once he signs the paperwork then he will begin the early entry program ( I think thats what its called) He will train 2 days per week and 1 saturday per month. Once they feel he is ready then he will go to boot camp. They said it won't happen before late Oct early Nov.
I am not going to lie. It makes me want to cry.
It is dreadful to think of them leaving, just know it gets better with time. Once they are out of boot camp and get the hang of everything, plus communication is conducted more freely. Saying prayers for you!! |
|
| |
|
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | fulltiltfilly - 2015-06-15 9:21 AM Well today my son goes to take the test and physical. Once he signs the paperwork then he will begin the early entry program ( I think thats what its called) He will train 2 days per week and 1 saturday per month. Once they feel he is ready then he will go to boot camp. They said it won't happen before late Oct early Nov.
I am not going to lie. It makes me want to cry.
I dont blame you, I would be crying too. |
|
| |
|
I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | scwebster - 2015-06-15 10:58 AM fulltiltfilly - 2015-06-15 9:21 AM Well today my son goes to take the test and physical. Once he signs the paperwork then he will begin the early entry program ( I think thats what its called) He will train 2 days per week and 1 saturday per month. Once they feel he is ready then he will go to boot camp. They said it won't happen before late Oct early Nov.
I am not going to lie. It makes me want to cry. It is dreadful to think of them leaving, just know it gets better with time. Once they are out of boot camp and get the hang of everything, plus communication is conducted more freely. Saying prayers for you!!
Thank you |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | Just wanted to check in on you fulltiltfilly. How are you doing? |
|
| |
|
I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | ampratt - 2015-06-25 4:47 PM Just wanted to check in on you fulltiltfilly. How are you doing?
I am doing well, thank you! :)
Well as it turns out, my son was disqualified. (I am not going to lie, I was VERY relieved!) When my son was 15 the doctor thought he had an irregular heart beat (I don't recall the exact term). It ended up that there wasn't actually a problem but the Marines wanted nothing to do with him once they found that out. My son was a little ticked off for a few days but now he is considering joining one of the reserves. Time will tell if he does or not... |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | fulltiltfilly - 2015-06-25 7:34 PM
ampratt - 2015-06-25 4:47 PM Just wanted to check in on you fulltiltfilly. How are you doing?
I am doing well, thank you! :)
Well as it turns out, my son was disqualified. (I am not going to lie, I was VERY relieved!) When my son was 15 the doctor thought he had an irregular heart beat (I don't recall the exact term). It ended up that there wasn't actually a problem but the Marines wanted nothing to do with him once they found that out. My son was a little ticked off for a few days but now he is considering joining one of the reserves. Time will tell if he does or not...
Sorry for the delayed response. I am sure you are relieved and very understandable so. |
|
| |
My Son Decided to Enlist with the Marines...