This is my first post and I thought I was going to be ok with all of this, but last night it hit me; My little girl is leaving me for good in 70 days.
Don't get me wrong, I have been watching this all develop. I have played a big part in helping our daughter choose a career in the Navy. For the past 3 years she has served under me in the USNSCC. I am not new to the whole "Navy Thing", I should be fine with this right?
But last night I came home from work to find all of her Sea Cadet NWU's and extra name tapes, flashes, etc. stacked neatly in the corner of my office and it hit me like a sledge hammer to the chest. My little girl is leaving. She won't need her Sea Cadet uniforms where she is going. Her Sea Cadet NWU's will be replaced by Navy NWU's. Her USNSCC name tapes will be replaced by US NAVY name tapes.
For some reason seeing all of that stuff in the corner brought the reality of this crashing down on me. Intellectually I know that this is best for her. Intellectually I know that my wife and I will beam with pride when we watch her graduate from RTC in October. Intellectually I know that she is still our daughter and that we still have 4 other kids at home. But I find that intellect is being replaced by emotion - at least it was last night. And all the thoughts of graduation, pride, service, Honor, Courage, and Commitment are having a real hard time finding room inside of me right now.
I joined this site because I thought I should; I mean having a daughter joining the Navy and all. But I am starting to see that I am going to NEED this site. Someone should start a forum for old bald guys who's hearts are being ripped from their chests.
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I can understand your feelings. Congrats to your daughter. I am sure it will be a roller coaster ride for you and your family but these sites our great to vent, make friends get questions answered and tons of support. Blessing to you and yours.
LOL
I like the last sentence. It made me laugh out loud. I think you should start the forum yourself
David, It sounds like you are wearing my boondockers. It was five years ago in '09 that my oldest son joined the Navy. The time in boot camp will go quickly. Keep writing and the time will be shorter. Same thing goes for deployment, although I have a feeling that you are familiar with deployments already on the sailor side. It will feel much different when you drop your daughter off at the head of the pier. At least it was for me and my son. A large number of Dads are here. Moms too! Some of us are old salts watching our young sailors step out into fleet.
Jerry, thank you for your comments. I have a feeling I will be better about deployments. It's the initial leaving for RTC that gets to me. After boot camp she will be going to Texas for MA school.
Hang in there David,, I know what you mean when reality is staring you in the face,, this was the hardest thing I even did, especially with my son, he was 800 division, spec ops,, they have no contact as often as the others,,I only heard from him after 3 weeks about 3 times the whole 8 weeks, it was tough on me, found myself under a dark cloud. but I turned it around and told myself he was safe, bed and food and friends he would meet. after the 3 weeks I finally rec'd his first long letter, and my son is not a writter, he had so much to say, it was great to hear all that he'd been doing and learning. long story short my son is now PO4 Diver and loving his job every minute...so keep your eye on the prize, is what I always told him. :)
btw- my preteen, is also navy driven, he will graduate SLPO from Navy Leagues/Sea Cadets this month, I love this youth grp. sure learned alot, thats for sure.
Thanks a lot for your post. Like I said, I know it will all work out. But it really helps to hear guys like you say so.
SLPO; wow, he is driven! I hope he stays in the program. I think it goes a long way towards preparing kids for when they enlist in the Big Navy...or Marines, Army, Air Force, whatever. I have heard a number of active duty folks who were Sea Cadets say that their Sea Cadet boot camp was tougher than the real deal when they enlisted.
Replies
I can understand your feelings. Congrats to your daughter. I am sure it will be a roller coaster ride for you and your family but these sites our great to vent, make friends get questions answered and tons of support. Blessing to you and yours.
LOL
I like the last sentence. It made me laugh out loud. I think you should start the forum yourself
Blessing and best of luck to all!
hang in there ...my son lefty 6/3.. Just got the box today and await the letter,, I had a harder time with it than i thought i would ...
David,
It sounds like you are wearing my boondockers. It was five years ago in '09 that my oldest son joined the Navy. The time in boot camp will go quickly. Keep writing and the time will be shorter. Same thing goes for deployment, although I have a feeling that you are familiar with deployments already on the sailor side. It will feel much different when you drop your daughter off at the head of the pier. At least it was for me and my son.
A large number of Dads are here. Moms too! Some of us are old salts watching our young sailors step out into fleet.
V/r
Jared Hyde
Hang in there David,, I know what you mean when reality is staring you in the face,, this was the hardest thing I even did, especially with my son, he was 800 division, spec ops,, they have no contact as often as the others,,I only heard from him after 3 weeks about 3 times the whole 8 weeks, it was tough on me, found myself under a dark cloud. but I turned it around and told myself he was safe, bed and food and friends he would meet. after the 3 weeks I finally rec'd his first long letter, and my son is not a writter, he had so much to say, it was great to hear all that he'd been doing and learning. long story short my son is now PO4 Diver and loving his job every minute...so keep your eye on the prize, is what I always told him. :)
btw- my preteen, is also navy driven, he will graduate SLPO from Navy Leagues/Sea Cadets this month, I love this youth grp. sure learned alot, thats for sure.
SLPO; wow, he is driven! I hope he stays in the program. I think it goes a long way towards preparing kids for when they enlist in the Big Navy...or Marines, Army, Air Force, whatever. I have heard a number of active duty folks who were Sea Cadets say that their Sea Cadet boot camp was tougher than the real deal when they enlisted.
Thanks! :) and I'm a Navy Mom! lol
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