just trying to adjust

[nycpatriot]

Hello all,

I'm new on this forum, and just want to say that I've been trying to adjust with the concept of my son eventually leaving for basic training. Guess it didn't really hit me until he boarded that airport-bound bus yesterday after the oath ceremony for Parris Island. But as much as I'm certain he can tap into that reserve of strength he has to do what he has longed to achieve, I can do THIS. Thanks for your support, encouragement, and fellowship.

[phoneman]

Good morning to you and congratulations on getting to the first step. As a parent of a Marine myself I know what you are feeling now. Here is a website that may be a big help for you on the many, many questions you are going to have over the next 12 weeks leading up to graduation. Check out http://marinefamilynetwork.com/ they are a wealth of information and will connect you to other parents that are in your Son's company. good luck to you and your Son.

Mike

[nycpatriot]

Good morning to you and congratulations on getting to the first step. As a parent of a Marine myself I know what you are feeling now. Here is a website that may be a big help for you on the many, many questions you are going to have over the next 112 weeks leading up to graduation. Check out http://marinefamilynetwork.com/ they are a wealth of information and will connect you to other parents that are in your Son's company. good luck to you and your Son.

Mike

Thank you , Mike, for your kind and encouraging words. I am familiar with the website you're speaking about, and not to post any disparaging comments, I chose to be here and not there. I'll continue to reach out here if that's okay, and look forward to fellowshipping with others. Thanks again.

[DrZ]

There are many here, Marines, Parents, Spouses, who will assist you in the adjustment period. Just ask questions and you will get some good answers and suggestions.

We have requirements here at LN.Com of having a filled out profile. Please take the time to do this. People tend to answer quicker when they know who they are talking with.

Welcome.

[Tennessee Top]

We will help as much as we can. Unlike the other website, you will be talking to Marines here (for the most part) and our posts are not preapproved by a moderator. You may-or-may not like the responses you get but they will be honest.

For future reference, Army recruits go to basic training...USMC recruits go to bootcamp.

Welcome aboard.

[nycpatriot]

We will help as much as we can. Unlike the other website, you will be talking to Marines here (for the most part) and our posts are not preapproved by a moderator. You may-or-may not like the responses you get but they will be honest.

For future reference, Army recruits go to basic training...USMC recruits go to bootcamp.

Welcome aboard.

Sorry--Thanks for making the correction, I thought it was the same thing. My son joined this forum as a poolee and often quoted an item that someone here offered. I know he's learned a lot from being here before he left. He called me early this morning, about 12:30am, to let me know he arrived at Parris Island....at least that's what I think he said. He was speaking so fast I couldn't make out what he was saying, only something about "....7-9 days". That's all I understood. I went to youtube to try to figure it out but couldn't find anything there. Maybe someone here can tell me.

Thanks for your welcome and honesty, and I appreciate the gesture.

[Lisa 23]

That's the phone call all recruits make after they get there, and unfortunately, you don't get to talk with him. It's just to let you know that he has arrived safely and you'll be getting a letter from him in about 7-9 days. So, if you don't get mail from him in about 2 weeks, he'll be extremely busy going through processing, getting his gear, and then meeting his Drill Instructors over these next 5-7 days and wont have time to write. All I can say is to be patient and wait for that first letter to arrive, and I know that won't be easy.
Write to him as often as you can!!! Mail is very important, and it's something that every recruit looks forward to before their 1 hour of free time in the evening.

Here's where you can find the training matrix to follow along as he goes through recruit training.......it'll give you a general idea on what he's doing every day.

http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/training/index.asp



Best of luck to you and your son!!! :thumbup:

[nycpatriot]

There are many here, Marines, Parents, Spouses, who will assist you in the adjustment period. Just ask questions and you will get some good answers and suggestions.

We have requirements here at LN.Com of having a filled out profile. Please take the time to do this. People tend to answer quicker when they know who they are talking with.

Welcome.

Thank you, and yes I filled one out. I'll go back and recheck it.

[afraziaaaa]

Good morning to you and congratulations on getting to the first step. As a parent of a Marine myself I know what you are feeling now. Here is a website that may be a big help for you on the many, many questions you are going to have over the next 12 weeks leading up to graduation. Check out http://marinefamilynetwork.com/ they are a wealth of information and will connect you to other parents that are in your Son's company. good luck to you and your Son.

Mike

Here's another good one for Marine Parents on the East Coast, just in case your Son's recruiter forgot to mention it. It's done for Marine parents, by the parent of a Marine.

For anyone west of the Mississippi with a male entering service who views this thread, there is a link to the San Diego depot on the left side of the page.

http://www.usmcgradparrisisland.org/

Semper Fi

[nycpatriot]

Here's another good one for Marine Parents on the East Coast, just in case your Son's recruiter forgot to mention it. It's done for Marine parents, by the parent of a Marine.

For anyone west of the Mississippi with a male entering service who views this thread, there is a link to the San Diego depot on the left side of the page.

http://www.usmcgradparrisisland.org/

Semper Fi

Thanks, and I'll take a look at it.

[Marinemom32]

Beleive me your son will draw strength from places that he never knew that he had. His love for you, his family and his friends will help him get thru this. Just know those first letters that you will get, will be hard to read...at least they were for me. The first two weeks are the worst.. receiving and forming. They are teaching them how to be recruits. So by the time you get that letter he will be on to something else. make sure you are writing him everyday, and the day you get his address put them all in the mail too him. We are all here to help you, this is a very emotional time.

[nycpatriot]

That's the phone call all recruits make after they get there, and unfortunately, you don't get to talk with him. It's just to let you know that he has arrived safely and you'll be getting a letter from him in about 7-9 days. So, if you don't get mail from him in about 2 weeks, he'll be extremely busy going through processing, getting his gear, and then meeting his Drill Instructors over these next 5-7 days and wont have time to write. All I can say is to be patient and wait for that first letter to arrive, and I know that won't be easy.
Write to him as often as you can!!! Mail is very important, and it's something that every recruit looks forward to before their 1 hour of free time in the evening.

Here's where you can find the training matrix to follow along as he goes through recruit training.......it'll give you a general idea on what he's doing every day.

http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/training/index.asp



Best of luck to you and your son!!! :thumbup:

Thanks so much for the link, it's very helpful as I try to deal with him being away, makes things a bit more bearable. I'm glad you're able to 'interpret' what he said on the phone about the 7-9 days and I thank you for that. Aside from that part, I was also able to make out, 'goodbye for now' then an abrupt hangup. I'll be as patient as I need to to be for that first letter. What a prize that will be! Before my son left, I promised that I would jog 3x p/week in solidarity with him. I get up at 3am daily to start my day and do some work anyway, and jogging in the morning will do some good. I'm very weepy these days, so please forgive me if I go on. Thanks again for your time.

[Lisa 23]

You're Welcome! :thumbup:

[nycpatriot]

Beleive me your son will draw strength from places that he never knew that he had. His love for you, his family and his friends will help him get thru this. Just know those first letters that you will get, will be hard to read...at least they were for me. The first two weeks are the worst.. receiving and forming. They are teaching them how to be recruits. So by the time you get that letter he will be on to something else. make sure you are writing him everyday, and the day you get his address put them all in the mail too him. We are all here to help you, this is a very emotional time.

I do so appreciate your helpful reply as I try to put things in their place. I worry that he's not feeling well...or that he's tired...or hungry....andonandon. It's only been he and I since his dad died years ago, so I'm feeling this one. I wasn't very surprised when he announced he wanted to be a Marine. He was always a focused and determined boy, never looking to the left or to the right, just what was ahead of him. When asked 'why', he said he wanted to do something worthy and if he was going to be in the military, he wanted to be trained by the very best. Who could argue with that? I didn't beg, plead, threaten, cry, or threaten to turn blue, but let him follow his heart and tried the best I could to guide him in the direction he yearned for.

Short story.....My son always wanted to be in military service since a little boy and would put on his 'military boots' (snow boots) and march to patriotic music waving a mini flag. I of course would have to participate. One day at 10 years old he asked me to take him to a recruiting station, and so we visited a Marines station in NYC somewhere. He was so impressed and taken with the young men he spoke to, and one of them told him to "study hard and well, do right in your life and one day we'll see you again". He never forgot those words, and did well in school with honors.That 'day' spoken of long ago had finally arrived, 8 -1/2 years later. As he grew up I made sure I gave him roots along with wings, and I guess it's time for those wings to stretch and fly.

You're so kind to offer me comfort, and I appreciate the time you share. Thanks again.

[Marinemom32]

That's the phone call all recruits make after they get there, and unfortunately, you don't get to talk with him. It's just to let you know that he has arrived safely and you'll be getting a letter from him in about 7-9 days. So, if you don't get mail from him in about 2 weeks, he'll be extremely busy going through processing, getting his gear, and then meeting his Drill Instructors over these next 5-7 days and wont have time to write. All I can say is to be patient and wait for that first letter to arrive, and I know that won't be easy.
Write to him as often as you can!!! Mail is very important, and it's something that every recruit looks forward to before their 1 hour of free time in the evening.

Here's where you can find the training matrix to follow along as he goes through recruit training.......it'll give you a general idea on what he's doing every day.

http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/training/index.asp



Best of luck to you and your son!!! :thumbup:
I loved having the training Matrix...I looked at everyday to see what he was doing, my co-workers were always very excited to see what he would be doing everyday. I made little notes on it, and gave it to him while on leave...he loved that I followed him everyday, and wrote him notes on it. Defnitely follow that

[Marinemom32]

nycpatriot,
So sorry for the lose of your husband, I can't imagine what you are going thru, I at least had my daughter, she is only 13, but if I didn't have her while he was gone, I don't know what I would have done.

I know it is hard, but you can't worry about him, he is in good hands!! The Marines will take care of him, and remember this is his dream...my son was the same way..and i was in your shoes not to long ago, he just graduated 9/2/11, so everything is still very fresh in my mind. He sounds like an amazing young man, finally getting what he has wanted for so many years. Still doesn't make it any easier on us! My son told me that he thinks my job is harder than his, being a Marine Mom, but I don't think so. If you have any questions about anything, please let us know, i know what you are going thru...these first weeks are so hard, but it does get easier...I promise

[advanced]

nycpatriot - Be proud that your son is a patriot. I started my journey as a Marine in Jan 67, and I am proud to say that I am still a Marine, though I only served 3 years during Vietnam.

Your son has entered a brotherhood that will last his lifetime, his character will be forever forged as steel. You will be proud. Whether he serves a career or leaves the Marine Corps after his first enlistment, he will forever be a Marine. Semper Fi

[Mongoose]

nycpatriot - Be proud that your son is a patriot. I started my journey as a Marine in Jan 67, and I am proud to say that I am still a Marine, though I only served 3 years during Vietnam.

Your son has entered a brotherhood that will last his lifetime, his character will be forever forged as steel. You will be proud. Whether he serves a career or leaves the Marine Corps after his first enlistment, he will forever be a Marine. Semper Fi
S/F Brother Russ

[m14ed]

I was going to quote all of post #14 ,but decided against it.

I'm not the oldest Marine on this site, and hopefully wont be the oldest for a long time yet to come.
Your son will return home , different than the way you raised him.. This time the difference will be easier to notice due to the effect of our "Occupational Consultants"
Refered to hereafter as :Drill Instructors.
From the sound of it.. You've given them good stock to work with. You may tend to dislike the MarineCorps more as time goes by. Dont worry about it now. At times in your sons life, his views will modify and vary with conditions, But the one thing he will always remember will be MarineCorps Boot camp. Not all of it, but enough to tell stories the rest of his life. (One of the things as a Common bond to all U. S. Marines )
Please believe it as i say it.. We all wish you and your son nothing but the best of luck.

Kermit the frog sang a song = "It's not easy being green"

[nycpatriot]

nycpatriot - Be proud that your son is a patriot. I started my journey as a Marine in Jan 67, and I am proud to say that I am still a Marine, though I only served 3 years during Vietnam.

Your son has entered a brotherhood that will last his lifetime, his character will be forever forged as steel. You will be proud. Whether he serves a career or leaves the Marine Corps after his first enlistment, he will forever be a Marine. Semper Fi

Thanks so much for this encouragement, and yes I look forward to my son
achieving his goal and claiming the coveted title of US Marine. As a parent, sad that I may be that he's not home, I am honored and privileged. He knows that my prayers, spirit, and thoughts are with him, urging and encouraging him on all the way.

Thank you all for who you are, what you have done, what you do now, and Who made it all possible.

[nycpatriot]

Oh you've given me such a good laugh with that 'occupational instructor' thing and the Kermit song. Haven't laughed like that in weeks, and probably a bit of pent-up madness and hysterics leaking out...

[m14ed]

There is a Chat feature here on Leatherneck that may or may not prove to be a benifit to your mental health; your need for entertainment, or weather reports from parts of the world not intended to be visited by the "Common Man".
Someone will be more than willing to help you and familiarize you with the features
and functions in CHAT.
Just turn your sound up a little , go about your reading/posting in forums and you'll hear George Jetson theme when someone enters... Easy to know when someone has "tripped the wire" and there is new meat in the cage.

[Marinemom32]

I was going to quote all of post #14 ,but decided against it.

I'm not the oldest Marine on this site, and hopefully wont be the oldest for a long time yet to come.
Your son will return home , different than the way you raised him.. This time the difference will be easier to notice due to the effect of our "Occupational Consultants"
Refered to hereafter as :Drill Instructors.
From the sound of it.. You've given them good stock to work with. You may tend to dislike the MarineCorps more as time goes by. Dont worry about it now. At times in your sons life, his views will modify and vary with conditions, But the one thing he will always remember will be MarineCorps Boot camp. Not all of it, but enough to tell stories the rest of his life. (One of the things as a Common bond to all U. S. Marines )
Please believe it as i say it.. We all wish you and your son nothing but the best of luck.

Kermit the frog sang a song = "It's not easy being green"

My favorite pastime now is listening to the stories that my son has to tell about Boot, and espicially about the DI's. He said his Killhat just reminded him of a shark, and his sole purpose was to create chaos...He looks back on Boot now as one of the best times of his life

[nycpatriot]

There is a Chat feature here on Leatherneck that may or may not prove to be a benifit to your mental health; your need for entertainment, or weather reports from parts of the world not intended to be visited by the "Common Man".
Someone will be more than willing to help you and familiarize you with the features
and functions in CHAT.
Just turn your sound up a little , go about your reading/posting in forums and you'll hear George Jetson theme when someone enters... Easy to know when someone has "tripped the wire" and there is new meat in the cage.

Hello,

I'm sure I don't know what you mean, but you sound offended by me or think I am mocking those here, judging by your comments to me. That is far from my intention. I promise, you, I will no longer trouble anyone here.

Thank you all to those who replied to my posts. I am deeply grateful for your help.

[Marinemom32]

Hello,

I'm sure I don't know what you mean, but you sound offended by me or think I am mocking those here, judging by your comments to me. That is far from my intention. I promise, you, I will no longer trouble anyone here.

Thank you all to those who replied to my posts. I am deeply grateful for your help.

I don't think that was his intention at all...he was just letting you know of a "chat" room to possibly help you get thru this...at least that is how I took it

[advanced]

I don't think that was his intention at all...he was just letting you know of a "chat" room to possibly help you get thru this...at least that is how I took it

You are correct Marine Mom - m14ed is just being helpful, Marines simply have a different way of talking.

It's been said that the only people who truly understand us are other Marines and our enemies.

[acg8276]

I don't think that was his intention at all...he was just letting you know of a "chat" room to possibly help you get thru this...at least that is how I took it

Agreed, no ill will intended. Just the "dry" delivery of a typed text.

[Marinemom32]

You are correct Marine Mom - m14ed is just being helpful, Marines simply have a different way of talking.

It's been said that the only people who truly understand us are other Marines and our enemies.
OK that is what I thought advanced...Hopefully she gets back on and checks the comments. Sounds like she is having a rough time.

[jclarke]

The best thing you can do is to send him as many letter's as you can! We (Our Marine's Mom & I), would send him 3-4 per week, sometimes more. When he messed up on the firing line and was put back a week (this happened week away from the Crucible). We immediately wrote, then drove the letter's to the post office (late at night), so they'd be mailed the next morning. All we told him to was we ALL mess up, to not give up on himself, to know/understand what his mistake was, to remember and learn from it, and to keep on keepin' on! To finish his "mission"" to get through Boot Camp.

Now he's in MCT at Camp Geiger (where I believe ALL graduating Marine' go after their 10-day leave). We're going down the 8th to be there for graduation). He'll rarely get to a phone, as they're mostly in the field, but write anyway. Understand the mail will go through Camp LeJeune first, then Camp Geiger where there are 50k+ Marine's, and very few mail clerk's.

Where our Marine is going after MCT, we have no idea! He went in on an open contract, so he'll be going where he's needed by the Corps, which could be anywhere!

[m14ed]

There is a Chat feature here on Leatherneck that may or may not prove to be a benifit to your mental health; your need for entertainment, or weather reports from parts of the world not intended to be visited by the "Common Man".
Someone will be more than willing to help you and familiarize you with the features
and functions in CHAT.
Just turn your sound up a little , go about your reading/posting in forums and you'll hear George Jetson theme when someone enters... Easy to know when someone has "tripped the wire" and there is new meat in the cage.

Sorry she Mis-understood me.
Sent her an email, if that doesn't work,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Guess i do sound "UNIQUE" ???

[jclarke]

Sorry she Mis-understood me.
Sent her an email, if that doesn't work,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Guess i do sound "UNIQUE" ???




No, "unique" you are not. Seems many of the experienced/retired Marine's new MOS is to dish out sarcasm's, "boo-hoo's" and to read something between the line's that isn't there. To run those of us who have new Marine's, or potential Marine's out of here, while we're trying to learn, and trying to figure out the how's, what's and why's.

Instead of really reading, some of you sock us in the gut and behave towards us as DI's do recruit's. And, I don't believe that is deserved by any of us who stand with our son's, or daughter's as they work to enter into the Corp's.

[advanced]

No, "unique" you are not. Seems many of the experienced/retired Marine's new MOS is to dish out sarcasm's, "boo-hoo's" and to read something between the line's that isn't there. To run those of us who have new Marine's, or potential Marine's out of here, while we're trying to learn, and trying to figure out the how's, what's and why's.

Instead of really reading, some of you sock us in the gut and behave towards us as DI's do recruit's. And, I don't believe that is deserved by any of us who stand with our son's, or daughter's as they work to enter into the Corp's.

I believe this post of yours is a very fine example of the reading between the lines which you have mentioned. I am an "experienced" Marine and I take exception and offense to your post, and I would suggest that you have "Forgotten" your place. You are on a Marine Corps forum. First and formost this is our forum, you are here to learn from us, not the other way around.

I can appreciate your concern if you have a young Marine going through boot camp, or is new in OUR Marine Corps. However, your concerns are nothing compared to actually going through Parris Island or SD. Do not forget, WE have all done that. M14ed was simply attempting to help a concerned mother who took his assistance the wrong way.

Parents, please remember that your son's and daughter's have chosen to become one of US. The Marine Corps is the finest fighting force in the world as a result of many of us "Experience" Marines on this very forum. Many Marines on this forum have actually participated in historic battles and have personally enhanced the reputation of our Corps.

We are here to help each of you, if we seem to be different or Unique, we are.

There is an old saying about us: No better friend, no worse enemy. Least you forget, that is what has been said about these Experienced Marines.

[Marinemom32]

Sorry she Mis-understood me.
Sent her an email, if that doesn't work,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Guess i do sound "UNIQUE" ???



To be honest, I didn't see one thing in your post that could have been taken the wrong way?? I took it that you were trying to tell her that is a chat, that she might like. I was really shocked and surprized when I saw her reply.... But of course you are unique.... You are a Marine!! Which is a great thing!!

[nycpatriot]

To be honest, I didn't see one thing in your post that could have been taken the wrong way?? I took it that you were trying to tell her that is a chat, that she might like. I was really shocked and surprized when I saw her reply.... But of course you are unique.... You are a Marine!! Which is a great thing!!


marinemom32....Don't you think you should hold up on your 'comments' about me until I have left this forum? If you're that concerned, how about letting me know yourself?

[Marinemom32]

marinemom32....Don't you think you should hold up on your 'comments' about me until I have left this forum? If you're that concerned, how about letting me know yourself?

I don't beleive I was making a comment about you, just stating how I felt about your response to someone who was only trying to help you. That's all pure and simple..nothing more nothing less.

[nycpatriot]

No, "unique" you are not. Seems many of the experienced/retired Marine's new MOS is to dish out sarcasm's, "boo-hoo's" and to read something between the line's that isn't there. To run those of us who have new Marine's, or potential Marine's out of here, while we're trying to learn, and trying to figure out the how's, what's and why's.

Instead of really reading, some of you sock us in the gut and behave towards us as DI's do recruit's. And, I don't believe that is deserved by any of us who stand with our son's, or daughter's as they work to enter into the Corp's.


I had already apologized to the commenter for taking his own remark the wrong way. I'm new here, and am not familiar with the lingo. All I wanted, as you say, was to learn, and in doing so I can better understand my son's aspirations and achievements. In this way also, I feel closer to him. Like you say, I am not a recruit, and do not appreciate the sideways remarks made by some here following this misunderstanding, but I understand and forgive it. Regardless of where I get my information, my goal is to always stand behind my child.

[nycpatriot]

I don't beleive I was making a comment about you, just stating how I felt about your response to someone who was only trying to help you. That's all pure and simple..nothing more nothing less.


There is a very fine line between honesty and meanness.

[acg8276]

Time to stick a fork in this one. It's done.

[Marinemom32]

Time to stick a fork in this one. It's done.

I totally agree!!! Thanks acg!!

[Lisa 23]

Lets get back on topic, folks! :thumbup:

[SGT7477]

Lets get back on topic, folks! :thumbup:
That's right Lisa, some are just too thin skinned,lol,Semper Fidelis.:evilgrin:

[doc h fmf]

Yeah At Mct They Are In The Field The Whole Time I Was A Corpsman There From 1990-1992. They Even Had Modern Bathrooms With Showers!!

Semper Fi Mom


Stephen Doc Hansen Hm3 Fmf