This was much harder than I thought it was going to be. We went up to Jacksonville to witness his swearing in. There were about 7 other kids also swearing into the Navy with him.
While waiting with him in the waiting for the announcement to go to the airport he was in tears the whole time. He was worried how he'd look to all the other recruits who were holding up just fine. I told him that everyone feels the same way he does right now and he's not alone. When everyone was lined up outside to board the van for the airport there wasn't a single recruit left with dry eyes.
We went home and began the wait for the phone call saying he arrived. About midnight our time it came. Josh talked to his mom and there wasn't enough time for me to say anything to him but that was alright. I was happy my wife got to talk to him.
I kept myself busy until about 1am and then had to go to bed. But before I went to bed I thought it would be a good idea to look at some pictures. That was a really, really bad idea. It was looking at the pictures that made me break down pretty bad. I even went and slept in his bed that night.
The next day was pretty bad too but the more time that goes on that easier it is. The biggest thing was how abrupt the break was from him living with us his entire life to now being on his own. It felt like someone ripped a scab off really quickly and it didn't hurt at first but later the pain set in.
I'm expecting his first call home sometime around the middle of May and until then I'm operating under no news is good news.
I'm glad I found this site and am looking forward to sharing things with my new Navy family.
Anyone else here who's son/daughter shipped out for this class?
Replies
Hate missing a phone call!! PIR 21 June 2013 is looming closer and closer!! Trying to get as much info as possible!
Got a second letter from Josh today. He said that this is the closest he's ever felt to being in prison! I'm wondering if I've failed as a father because here should have felt the closest to being in prison lol.
From the sounds of it he has a really good division. They've had two calls home so far and after the last call they got some casual time with their 2nd RDC(?). He told them that this is the second division he's had that actually sings and their his twelfth. He wants to do the 5.0 drill with them, whatever that is, and if they pull it off he'll take them to "recruit heaven" a place with tv, food, video games, phones, etc. Hopefully they guy's not messing with them too badly. ;D
Next week is hell week for them which I guess is a big inspection week.
Oh, he said the RDC told them that a lot of what their learning in basic they'll probably not use again like all the folding of clothes but my son said that this folding clothes thing was pretty convenient. Hahaha, this from a kid who I dragged a garbage bag and a half of empty water bottles out of his room when I cleaned it out after he left.
Thanks for all the replies guys and I'm enjoying reading your stories too. And Paul hopefully the instructor was just trying to ram a point home and doesn't really hold them back a week.
Brandon Thompson said:
Paul, I just wanted to give you some heads up. I spoke with a former LDCR at my work. He indicated that yes, they can fail recruits for anything which would extend the graduation date IN THE WORST CASE. Sometimes, though, the RDCs are just messing with the recruits (i.e., they may have pulled a recruit, smeared fake blood on his nose, and had him sit with your son to see what their reaction would be) in order to pound the message home that they must obey orders.
My coworker/former LDCR indicated that this early in the game, the RDCs may have your son redo the swim test and he'll be ok. Not without making him sweat bullets for a few days though.
In response to your last couple sentences....
This may sound extreme, but, if in the event of combat (which our young sons and daughters are being trained for and volunteered for) a fellow soldier gets injured, it is absolutely imperative to continue with the mission. A professional soldier focuses on completing that mission.
That was a lesson I'm sure your son (and his division) won't forget.
That said, conversely, my thoughts are your son and his fellow shipmate gained huge cool points by showing concern for a fellow shipmate.
The RDCs constantly yell, the recruits can't do anything right, but the RDCs are constantly observing and seeing who the leaders are.
Leaders care about their shipmates. Your son and fellow shipmate are leaders.
Well I just talked to my son on Saturday morning for the first time since he left. He said that hes doing well but he did get into a little trouble. Nothing really bad I hope. What happened was that him and his buddy were the first to finish their swim test. They passed it with flying colors. The instructors told them to go sit on the bleachers, look straight ahead and dont talk. After a few minutes, 2 other recruits came to sit behind them on the bleachers and one of the boys had a bloody nose and didnt realize it. My son and his friend turned to tell them that his nose was bleeding and when the instructors saw them talking they ran over and screamed at them and told them that they failed there swim test for not following their instructions of "Sit on the bleachers, keep your head straight and dont talk".
Now I just read that on the RTC web page that if they fail the swim test that they cannot call home and will be pushed back a week on graduation. I hope to God this isnt the case because we already planned our trip to graduation and I cnanot get the follwing week off from work. I hope that this kid didnt really screw this up. I might have to kick his butt when I see him!!
He said that he hates it because he misses us all but I told him that he would be fine and now that he could start getting letters and the occasional phone call that it would get a lot easier. The Navys plan on breaking them down to rock bottom at boot camp and building them up to be sailors is definitely working on him. In 1 conversation I completely got an understanding on how boot camp works. Its amazing on how they can completely change a person.
The guidon bearer is the person that carries the flag in formation. It is a position of honor.
Alan McCullough said:
my son left of the 23rd from Sacramento and will also be graduating on 6/21. And, I too missed his first call home. Luckily for us he immediately attempted the call to his sister who was asleep in bed. He's tried calling his mom twice and each time she's missed it. Just got off the phone with him a few minutes ago and he said the hardest thing about his day is trying to stay awake. He was in ROTC for 2 years in college before he enlisted and he feels pretty comfortable with all the marching.
He also said he was moved up from section leader to (and help me everyone with this because the connection was't good) guide on? Said he's the one to instruct the recruits when to turn and stay in formation while they are drilling.
Kevin Senecal said:
Thanks for the congrats. Much appreciated. Same to you as well.
I had to laugh regarding your son. I never thought mine would ever "get it", but he slowly is maturing into a man and that is such a good feeling.
One thing I did tell him before he left is to take the time to visit the chaplain. In his letter he said he went to church on Sunday and "it felt so good to relax and just pray". I think even the most non-religious people may find some solice with the chaplain so I would advise anyone to mention it to their son or daughter.
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