I'm not sure what we'll have to share here but thought it might be a good idea to start something anyway. My son is a 292 and has been assigned to Team 2 in Virginia Beach where he just recently arrived. His initial impressions are positive. He's enthusiastic and looking forward for the real work to begin. As much fun as we had visiting Coronado, it's good to have him back on the east coast "in spitting distance". My wife and I are obviously concerned about his impending first deployment, as I'm sure many of you are as well. Not much we can say about that other than that our fingers and toes will be crossed and our candles lit.
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Is he still with the teams?
My son was in 292 also. Did you go to the graduation?
Anyone heading to VB for Memorial Day Weekend? Jack
RyeJim, first of all congrats to your son for raising to the challenge to join this special group of men, and Congrats to you for raising such an amazing young man and warrior. (I would like to be added if possible to the group although normally I don't post often. Just had a minute on the computer and wanted to check in)
Don't be surprised if he talks about somewhat of a let down now. When you think of it, it makes sense. They have been operating a such a high level for such a long time and dreaming of having that Trident pinned to their chests and now that has happened. Although they say they have to continue to earn their Trident every day, and they really do it is still different. Also, many do not have a real deployment (not just training but mission deployment) for quite a while and they get a little stir crazy. This is all part of it that they all go through. But I used to tell my boy to just chill and it will all come in good time! It does. Soon they will be very busy and doing workups to prepare for the real deal.
It is difficult to share much here other than support each other. I do not ever talk specifics, dates, times, even teams. Although we don't have to worry about instructors lurking etc. I am not 100% sure or confident enough that anything on the internet is absolutely ironclad private. We all know that the web is global and we should not be so arrogant to think that there isn't those who threaten our security couldn't get through this forum.
So continued good luck to your son and welcome aboard!
Hi Ron. My son's team is deploying soon. He's in some sort of special training right now. I wish I could meet some of his teammates, but haven't really had that chance. I am friends with a young man that went through Basic with him and who graduated BUDS a class or two behind him. He's about the only one I know.
ron said:
Boss, I feel exactly the same way. No contact with anyone. I'm in San Antonio, so visiting VA Beach is a bit of a stretch.
Boss said:
After the guys do their individual schools, there seems to be a predeployment work up of about 1 year.Boss, it sounds as if your son is close to the schedule mine was on after receiving his trident in Nov. 2011[class 286]. I think he reported to his team Jan/Feb of 2012 after language school. Finished his last school easter weekend & then the work-up began. Maybe you can find out when other guy's folks are going to VB, & try to meet up. For us its a 9-10 hour drive ,other parents drove from Michigan,etc.
JP- I concur wholeheartedly with your assessment of the men in the teams! An extraordinary experience to hang out w/ them as often as we have. We've been to Vb @ almost every opportunity & it has paid off for us in knowing the guys & their dedication to one another.
Hi RonP
We Seem to have the same concerns . Our son is 293 in team in Little Creek and preparing for first deployment . Its been along hall to get here .He started in 292 went thru hell week and had medical roll back and had to wait for next class and made us proud. I meet with a lot of my sons team and I have to tell you , I was so humbled to meet these warriors and just the positive attitude they project is something I have never experienced. I had told my son that from his first breath as a baby to now , I was the only one (and his Mom) in the world that would jump in front of a bus for and now after meeting the guys , they would be there to do the same for you as you would for them. With that , I feel more at ease, to a point, the worry is allways there . Try to meet some of his team and see what great dedicated guys they are ,I feel they are all my sons now.
Ron P said:
CT Jack - he is east coast. Not sure how much info I should or want to give on this public site, but he has only been assigned to a team for a few months. Sounds like a lot more family time to be had during pre-deployment time. We get a chance to meet some of the guys now and again, but I'd feel funny asking them for their parents contact info. My wife and I feel like we have been left on an island with no one to talk to!
Boss, we met 1 couple during the Christmas break, which was right after phase 1 of BUD/S. They live close to us, so it was easy to get together. Certainly easy to communicate. The others we met either @ BUD/S graduation or @ Trident presentation. Swapped numbers & e-mails. Pre-deployment dinner w/ 8-10 in VB, w/ some less formal gatherings @ Bubba's or the Back Deck. July cookout in Mass. which is central for 4-5 of us. My wife was messaging w/ our friend almost daily. not much info from our 2 guys, but from other parents of guys not deployed w/ ours, we garnered some info. The predeployment days were when e-mails, etc were exchanged & promises made & bonds formed. This can be somethingof a mixed blessing, as I had my wife thinking our son was handing out shoes & food to the poor Afgani children. When @ the July cookout, one Dad began relating what our son's platoon was actually doing & how envious the other guys, his son included, were who were not in a combat situation. Until you get those contact numbers, I guess ur stuck w/ us here on the site. Feel free to contact me @ anytime. Is your son East/West coast & when did he join his team? I ,perhaps can fill in some blanks for you.
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