Week out from bootcamp....

[clay H]

1 week til we drop her off at MEPS.... Emotional and moody, Ive snapped a few folks in half that didnt deserve it.... My passive aggressive daughter is headed for bootcamp... sometimes Id love to be a fly one the wall the 1st time she cops attitude w/ the DI, other times I try to figure out where I screwed up.....All I wanted is for both of my kids to have an EASIER life than I did.... Issue #1 Couldnt figure it out. Now she goes where I cant safe her ass anymore.... Dont get me wrong, Angela is a great freaking kid, no drinking, smoking or partying problems.... But they had a phrase for it when I went to school.... DFD doesnt follow directions. I see lots of push up and KP (if the navy still does that in its kinder gentler navy ways) But if she makes the grade Katy bar the freaking door... This young lady in computer science could make things dance....Oh well.... Could be worse they could send her to the sand box to see if she can just make them surrender with her abuse..... My money is on her!A worried dad....

[Paul]

Hi Clay,
Good luck to your family in the next few days as you get closer to your daughters departure. She will be looking for you to be the strong one. I worked in a buffet lunch at a local casino in route to the recruiters when we went to drop her off. We didn't have the opportunity to go to the MEPS station it was in New Orlean and she spent the night at a Hotel their were they picked her up ealier the following day. Anyways she didn't eat much but we were their for idle conversation for her to relax a bit prior to leaving and to help boost her ego. Mention to your daughter to double up on the pairs of socks when she starts wearing her new boots. It may reduce the amount of blisters on the feet until the boots are broken in. 99% of the items she goes in with will be returned in the infamous box, including all civilian clothes except approved under garments, cell phone will be in the box as well. My daughter was able to keep her small bible which has a leather case which aloud her to keep a few small photos and her drivers license. Again be proud, her hardest part should be Boot Camp and the initial adjustment to Military life and answering to the Chain of Command, that would be like them doing what we parents tell them...... Your in our thoughts and prayers...

[clay H]

She's told me but I cant remember, her rating is computers.... She's doing A school here local so she can actually come home on the weekends if she wants.....

[David R]

I dont know if I asked before (with the holidays I am not sure which way I am going) what rate is she going to be. I know you said computers but there are several rates/jobs in that area. My son is another of those PC geeks and is now in FL. Did both his A and C schools there. Also (as I found out when I refered to one as a drill sgt.) the Navy calls their DI's RDC's, such touchy people.......LOL.

[clay H]

I know Charles, but I still see the kid with a 152 IQ that cant remember to turn in her home work.... who is so adept at passive aggression that she put me to shame..... I know she'll be fine, i know she will excel... but Im also just a parent.....

[Charles W]

I wouldn't say you screwed up. You raised a young lady who chose a branch of the Armed Forces to serve in. Im sure you wanted her to be decisive. She was. She is. Wise choice.
I really didnt look at your age (if posted) but did you, at her age, have your own medical and dental. A steady paycheck twice a week and you didnt have to spend it on room and board or food. If you want to go to school, its paid for. Recreation activities to die for. Travel and adventure.
But most important, she will be challenged in bootcamp. she will become part of a team. she may be placed in a leadership role. she will have to overcome obsticales. she will learn to be organized. You will see a change. a growth. we all have.

[clay H]

She seems content, maybe because she went through reserve recruiters and not standard recruiters, instead of going once a month for PT and testing she was going 3 times a week, they signed off on her papers Monday.... shes off the 2nd..... Mama and I are doing ok I think, wife is keeping her feelings fairly close to the vest..

[Charles W]

So, Clay, how's it going?

[Charles W]

Have you read this?
http://www.navydads.com/group/bootcamp/forum/topics/a-must-read-for...

[Paul]

Hi Clay,
Never second guess how your roll has been as a parent with your kids decision to your the military. My daughter is 22 years old, Graduated a local Community college with 2 degrees and has been on the delayed entry program for the last year. Has been in boot camp for 4 weeks now and loves it. She chose the Navy to further herself and to travel. She is hoping to go to a ship homeported in either Japan or Italy. Our kids these days whether straight out of high school or College are still trying to find out what they want to do with their lives and are well aware they can't just move out of mom & dad's house and handle things on their own $$$$$$. Always stay supportive in their decision, so they will keep them in our lives. The Military takes great care of their soldiers, sailors, troops however you want to call them. My 20 years was very rewarding and I now work as a civilian were they conduct A & C school for Seabee's. The Military today is more supportive and protective than in my days. Stand tall and proud. Your daughter will be looking to you for support and especially daily letters while in boot camp as they make that transition from civilian. First couple weeks they second quess what they did and then it gets better every day. (8 weeks isn't tough at all, just alot of hard work). It all gets better -

[clay H]

Thanks just a shaky dad....