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Even though its early in my sailor's Navy Journey, I must say that dealing with mixed emotions on a daily basis is a true challenge. We feel the pride that is present inside us to overcome the sad feelings of missing our sailors.  Jared graduated Boot camp back on the 15th of March and is now in A School in Meridian Ms.  He's "classed up" and as of today his A School graduation is schedualed for May 23rd after which he will have his first leave. He is AZ which is Aviation Administration Maintananceman. I'm tempted daily at 50 years of age to be grief filled that  its to late in my life to not be seeing him on a regular basis at least for the next 4 years. Right now its all peaches and cream so to speak getting to communicate with him on a daily basis in A School but I know that after his first leave will come the 1st deployment and the real test of faith will come. But I say again, that one word "Pride" will be suffice to overcome the sadness. He could very well still be on a base in the states and be able to communicate, but he may also be out at sea or across the other side of the planet. Either way, its not gonna get any easier. Interesting to me I still look at the RTC graduation schedual as I think most of us looked at it 100's of times during boot camp. There have now been since his graduation 78 more divisions that are schedualed to graduate.  at 80 per division thats 5,920 new recruits and it's not even a month since he graduated. part of me wonders if its the lack of jobs, or just a calling our kids seem to feel. For Jared, it was def a calling. In closing, I hope it helps to just ponder this thought for a moment and let it bring warmth and comfort. The emotion of pride or to just feel proud is a product of love. We love them, we are proud of them,, so at home and as a part of there journey and to eliminate any worry they may have about us struggling with them being gone, we win the battle against mixed emotions. God Bless you my sailor son, God Bless every sailor and sailor dad and family and God Bless the greatest country in the world The United States of America.

Our oldest son left today at noon for his final MEPS and then off to Great Lakes tomorrow. Very proud, but boy it sure is hard to let them go. My wife and I have spent the entire day just moping around the house. We have to go through this again in three months when our youngest son leaves for Marine boot camp. Give me strength. 

Thank you all for your kind words. Glad to be aboard. My wife and I met with the recruiter yesterday to get final answers as our son leaves for RTC this coming Tuesday, very exciting and a little bittersweet. What an adventure!

'It's not a Tiger Cruise, but the ammenities and accomodations are much nicer. Only 2 Days left to enter. This time Monday you could be the winner of a free Celebrity cruise for two! Enter today!

Follow this link to your NavyDads Member Cruise site to register.

All entries must be received before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 31st, 2013.

P.S.  Thinking about putting together a NavyDads group pleasure cruise. Email me with suggestions, idea's, destinations,either send me a message here via NavyDads or email me at esvenson@cruiseone.com. If we get enough interest we'll see if we can put something together this year or next! ..

Eric S.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. My son is in DEP right now, scheduled to leave on July 17th for Great Lakes. He is 19 and will be turning 20 four days before he leaves. From there he is set to go on to Pensacola for IT training. We couldn't be more proud of him.
We are located on Long Island and he started at the Patchogue recruiting office.
I look forward to getting to know some of you and pick your brains about the whole process. I will take some time to browse the site, groups, forums, etc... to get a little more familiar with things.
Of course, any information you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again,
Bob

If you are going on the JCS/TC and have questions about Hawaii or anything I can help you.  I'm retired from the Navy and served on the JCS.  I have many TC under my belt and I have been to Hawaii many times 

Hello Navy families! Recently I have heard statements from officers and enlisted members of our armed services what our present Administration is not doing to uphold it's sworn duty to protect the people of the United States and it's interests abroad.  I 've heard that the ASW flights that have been a cornerstone of our defense have been told to stand down and only fly their missions Monday through Friday - no night or weekend ops. Being a veteran nuke submariner, though decades ago, I am saddened that this could happen.  Along with these reports I heard that several of our Task Groups would either be 'parked' or that they would steam without some of the combatants protect the Carrier it self.  I have written to my U.S. Senators and to my U.S. Rep but haven't received an answer.  Folks, I don't want to sound a false GQ, but a game is being played against our freedom and liberty.  Let not the foolish determine whether our freedoms and liberties are put in jeopardy.  Please investigate this yourself and if you find the same answers, I encourage you to please write to your Senators and your Rep. If we do nothing and this business I speak of is true, we then by our inaction deserve to be taken by those who will indeed change our lives forever.

Thanks everyone for welcoming me.  My son has just entered into the Delayed Entry Program and will not leave until September 11, 2013, so we both a little time to prepare.  But he is excited and ready to learn, we just have to get him past high school first.

first phone call on sat, 2/23/13 he said he sent out grad form letter on 2/16/13 i had to get his address verbally from him on phone. anyone else not get a letter yet?

Hi

Tomorrow morning I will be bringing my daughter to the recruiter office for shipping out to boot camp. I was wondering if anybody had any thoughts on what I should do as a single parent for her the last night with me.

Well - I have not posted anything since PIR on 11-9-12. Now "A" school "Logistics" is over and our son John just spent the last two weeks at home with us. It was very good to have him home. But now the Hard Part.   He left today to go to his first assignment aboard the USS Rushmore that is based in San Diego. The Rushmore is currently deployed in the Persian Gulf area and I think he will go meet up with it. I can't put in words how hard it was to say goodbye this time. Bootcamp and "A" school had timetables that we knew when we would see him again. My wife and I have each shed more tears today than ever. In fact they were our first tears. Now we don't know when we will see him again. It truly felt like pushing the bird out of the nest to fly on it's own. As I drove to work today I reflected on how many mothers and fathers have said goodbye to their sons over history, from the Civil War to the World Wars to Vietnam to the War on Terrorism to now. All of a sudden I did not feel alone any longer. I even remembered when I watched my father board the plane to go to Vietnam when I was 8 yrs old in 1967. He never returned. I am still proud of my father and his heroic service. I am feeling the same sense of pride in my son now. I know I must let go and as the busyness of life rolls along we will recover from today. I am more thankful than ever for modern technology like email to stay in touch with him. We have it so much better than families of years past. Does anyone know if sailors take and use cell phones when at sea? Do the ships have good internet service to email and/or skype? If any of you had similar days when your son or daughter left for their first assignment, write me. Have a great week and may those that have moved on to their great adventure have Fair Winds and Following Seas.

Rod Keefe

Looking  forward to spending time with her and hanging out with the Raptors again.

My daughter Jessica submitted my paperwork for the Tiger Cruise, waiting on Medical for approval.

Sorry so long to respond.Daniel graduated on 2/1. He had 6 days leave.  He is on his way to Okinawa. That was his choice - he loves scuba diving so he is very excited. Glad to hear Amber loves Spain. I heard it is very nice.

My boy left for Basic this week. Sure do miss him but man am I proud of him!