Congrats on your sons enlistment!

 

Our oldest daughter went to boot camp (U.S. Army) on Nov. 1st. And is coming home on Dec. 17 for Xmas holiday....goes back to boot on Jan 2nd. She's at Ft. Jackson SC. She's been writing us about her experiences. She finally got to shoot a rifle and loves it! :-). And to think she thought mom and dad were a little weird for wanting to get back into shooting.

 

WRT Great Lakes ... When I was in the Navy I went there for ET "A" School. Was there from October thru March. The worst watch you could have was midnight shore patrol on the shore of the lake. We had to wear these poly uniforms that the wind just blew straight thru. Did get to wear foul weather jackets though. Really do miss mine. I had one when I got out and eventually wore it out.

Wow, he got just about the best job going then. He'll be heading to SC for two years after boot, correct? I believe that's also a 6 year contract? Congratulations to him!

 

Yes six year commitment, and 18 months in SC. I am hoping to get the wife to move down there during that time.

 

 

ETA: It's also impressive that he was able to enlist during times like these. Every person I know who is still in are not necessarily concerned about getting early orders to ETS, as our job was starred, but toxic NCOs and officers are getting chopped left and right-- and even for re-enlistments and prior service it's relatively difficult to get a contract.

 

Yes his brother was waiting anxiously for his PTS (peformance to serve). Luckily he received it and will re-enlist on Dec. 7th. They are kicking so many people out now. Scary what they will be left with when the economy turns around.

And this folks, is the definition of an OXYMORON.

LOL, asshole

LOL, asshole

 

Ahem. Takes one, to know one! LOL.

congrats! you must be so proud! My parents are ultra chicom/pacifists/pro china and they were should I say less than thrilled when I told them my plans. I got 64 days till I leave for boot in good old Parris Island. Write him plenty of letters!!

You have 64 days?! I wish I was that lucky. I've got 157 days.

I never got the DEP. I joined and was in boot camp less then a month later. Guess I looked "needy"

Good luck to your son! I remember when I started boot camp right out of high school, 22 yrs ago. Instead of Great Lakes in the winter, they sent me to Orlando, FL in the middle of the summer for my boot camp! LOL! I remember guys just dropping like flies after long marches and long runs in the crazy heat! But I also remember hearing the stories of the huge amounts of snow at Great Lakes RTC and how cold it would get up there.

congrats! you must be so proud! My parents are ultra chicom/pacifists/pro china and they were should I say less than thrilled when I told them my plans. I got 64 days till I leave for boot in good old Parris Island. Write him plenty of letters!!

 

You have 64 days?! I wish I was that lucky. I've got 157 days.

 

 

Hey guys good luck to both of you, and thanks for serving. When I went in I think I took the ASVAB on Tuesday, signed papers on Thursday and left on Monday. They were much more desperate then I guess .

Well good luck to you all! Too bad it seems like most of you joined/are joining the wrong branch.

 

 

 

 

Yes of course I am just kidding. There is no 'right' branch.

EngineerJet joined USMC. I started looking at them first, but ended up with the Navy.

 

Regardless, that's besides the point. This isn't our thread, it's about Jimmy's son. Jimmy, if you wouldn't mind, can you talk about what it's like to be on the parents end? You said your older son is in. How did you take it? How did your wife take it? How about communication?

yeah, not tryin to hijack the thread. you must be proud! make sure he knows that he has your full support! itll help him during the struggles!

EngineerJet joined USMC. I started looking at them first, but ended up with the Navy.

 

Regardless, that's besides the point. This isn't our thread, it's about Jimmy's son. Jimmy, if you wouldn't mind, can you talk about what it's like to be on the parents end? You said your older son is in. How did you take it? How did your wife take it? How about communication?

 

Well since I had served, and my father was an WW2 Army paratrooper my children were brought up with the utmost respect for our country. They were also brought up with discipline. When they would get in trouble when they were in school their punishment would be to do the Navy SEALs pre-Buds workout with me. It is an 18 week regimen that definitely makes you not want to get into more trouble. I did it with them as I believe in leading by example. As a parent it is always a bitter sweet experience when your hildren grow up. My wife and I are so proud of our children. They had both tried the college thing and realized it wasn't for them, I think that was my fault as they had no discipline in college and once used to discipline it is hard to do without. You know as a parent that your children need to make their own way in the world and see what they can accomplish. I miss them like crazy as I was not only their father but we were also friends. My wife is a little more teary then I am, but sees the same thing, that they need to grow up and be men. Her brother's were both Corpman with the Navy attached to the Marines (MEU), so service life is something we are both used to. The best advise i can give you is spend as much time as you can with your loved ones before hand, you will undoubtedly miss them very much while deployed. They will be your source of strength and the reason you will refuse to fail. Your relationship will change with your parents when you go in. I will always remember my father, on my first leave breaking out a bottle of Chivas Regal, telling me that it was our bottle and we would each take a shot when I came home and again before I left. He told me that I was now a man and he was proud. I finished that bottle when I came home for his funeral. Don't mean to be a downer, but make the most of the time you have.

 

As far as communication, in boot camp you won't be able to call home for like 3 weeks. Your parents should get your mailing address in about a week or so. After boot then you have access most of the time, even while deployed. I talk to my son in Japan on skype at least 3-4 times a week. If your parents have questions or concerns I would be happy to give you my number and try and alleviate any of their concerns.

Jimmy, thanks for the advice. Most of what you have said makes sense, and is something I will keep in mind. I plan to take 2 weeks off, finances permitting, before shipping off to boot. I'll use that time to spend some time with my family. As far as the communication goes, it doesn't sound too bad. Again, I wish your son the best of luck, and thanks for the advice.

Some advice,

 

It is going to suck. Now I don't mean it is going to be a terrible experience. It is going to be one of those things you wish to never do again, but are glad you did it. Stay positive, know that nothing is personal, and embrace it. You will probably see people who have a difficult time grasping this, and they will struggle. However, if you have a positive attitude, it can actually be a fun experience (relatively speaking).

 

Also, don't be that guy. You will know who that guy is pretty early on.

 

Good luck everyone joining! I have no regrets so far.

Yea, like Bones said, embrace it. The whole point of boot is to "break you down, and build you back up." Everything else is details. You'll realize this, and much more, when you physically start going through the process.

Best wishes to him!

 

My son just finished USAF Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. We were at his graduation last week. Now he is off to Sheppard AFB in Middle-of-nowhere, TX.

Best wishes to him!

 

My son just finished USAF Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. We were at his graduation last week. Now he is off to Sheppard AFB in Middle-of-nowhere, TX.

 

Congratulations. Nothing brings a tear to your eye like watching them graduate. Best of luck tour son.

Congratulations. Nothing brings a tear to your eye like watching them graduate. Best of luck tour son.

 

I've only ever seen my father tear up twice. That was on of the times. Got to love your parents.

He had just turned 18 in September, and he went to BMT at the beginning of October. Two months later, he seemed older, but he still looks so young to me. I am proud of him, and I think this will be a great experience.

Congrats on his enlistment. Now he's a man!

 

Ask who his RDC's are. I have 2 friends up there pushing boots now.

 

Hey Eric,

 

Just got the first boot-camp form letter. Don't know who his RDC is yet but he is in Ship 02 Div. 911. Don't know if you know where your buddies are. Since when aren't they allowed to get food / cookies?

Wish all your children well and thank them for joining! After the circus of "occupiers" it's great to see people still want to give more than take.

I have my oldest (daughter) planning on going to San Antonio for USAF basic next year and my son planning on RTC once he graduates, about 2.5 years. Both'll be college grads and both want enlisted time before being commissioned - wish I'd done it that way. I'm incredibly proud of both.

Andy,

 

Good luck to your children. It is nice to know that we still have good kids coming up in the ranks. The best officers are the ones who went thru being enlisted first, those are the ones you would follow to hell if need be.

Wish all your children well and thank them for joining! After the circus of "occupiers" it's great to see people still want to give more than take.

I have my oldest (daughter) planning on going to San Antonio for USAF basic next year and my son planning on RTC once he graduates, about 2.5 years. Both'll be college grads and both want enlisted time before being commissioned - wish I'd done it that way. I'm incredibly proud of both.

 

Andy,

 

I said something to that effect to my son -- I was proud of him for doing this, as opposed to those who are sitting around complaining about what they don't have.

 

By the way, if you have any questions about Air Force BMT at Lackland, from a parent's perspective, feel free to PM me.