Help

[quillhill]

Appreciate all the information and advice. I feel so much better now and will suggest that I'm willing to go with him to talk to his recruiter, if he wants me too. I know that this is the right thing for him. He has been talking about this since he was a child when he announced at 8 that he wanted to be a 'sniper' altho' he quickly amended it when seeing our horrified expression that it wasn't to hurt people, but that it was to 'serve his country!. The contract thing just freaked me out after hearing horror stories about others. I'm not used to things happening so fast.

Will keep you all posted, since he hasn't called since last night when I told him that he was smart and that he should follow his instincts and that I'd be proud of him no matter what he chose to do.

Wishing all of you, and yours, the best. Gofigyer

My limited experience chatting with recruiters (I wrote an article about a year ago about the military as a career path and the best experience I had was dealing with the local USMC recruiters) was wonderful. Like every other Marine I've encountered here and in the real world, they are straight shooters, and they will you inspire tremendous respect and admiration. You will walk out of there enlightened and confident in your son's decision.

There's a saying I've always liked that seems appropriate in this situation:
"Forewarned is forearmed."

I look forward to further updates.

[Gator347]

"Like every other Marine I've encountered here and in the real world, they are straight shooters, and they will you inspire tremendous respect and admiration. You will walk out of there enlightened and confident in your son's decision"

AMEN!!!

The Recruiters & DIs are nothing short of "Outstanding!" - Overworked & Underpayed.

[gofigyer]

Looks like he took Step 1. He took his physical at 3:30 this morning and passed and OHMG is he excited (as am I since I am now better informed).

So he has a tentative ship date of Sept. 22 to SD. WOW - so begins the journey.....

Thanks for all the support and information I got here. Looks like I too will soon be able to sign myself Marine Mom!!

gofigyer

[darkgreen0311]

Mom he's going to make you proud he'll be fine and you'll be fine. My mother told me when i left for Boot Camp she cried everyday and lost 5lbs in a week. You're a mom and you're suppose to worry it's in the mom handbook. He's going to be a great Marine.





SEMPER FI 4 LIFE
YOURS IS NOT TO QUESTION WHY BUT TO DO OR DIE!!!

[MarineNCO]

Looks like he took Step 1. He took his physical at 3:30 this morning and passed and OHMG is he excited (as am I since I am now better informed).

So he has a tentative ship date of Sept. 22 to SD. WOW - so begins the journey.....

Thanks for all the support and information I got here. Looks like I too will soon be able to sign myself Marine Mom!!

gofigyer

Just make sure you help him get prepared for boot camp. Wake him up early, make him PT until he throws up. make him learn his general orders, make him learn how to make a tight rack...oh wait....he IS 20 hehe. But a little encouragement from Mom never hurts.


Here is a story for ya:

I know one of my Marines did NOT like it when I called his Mother about his binge drinking and general bad disposition towards authority. To be clear I only called to make sure nothing bad was going on at home that would lead to this attitude shift. She listened to what I had to say about my observations and what was going on with him then asked to speak with him.

I heard her yelling, yes YELLING, at him for 10 minutes straight, The first words out of her mouth (she was that loud) was I KNOW I AM NOT HEARING ABOUT YOU DISRESPECTING SOMEONE! I RAISED YOU BETTER!! After that all he said was yes ma'am, no ma'am and I'm sorry Momma. About 3 minutes in he started bawling. It turns out he had not spoken with his mother in 6 months (since he got back from boot leave). Even after I told my Marines to make sure they call their families regularly to keep the ties strong.

I have NEVER seen someone do a 180 that fast. He turned out to be meritoriously promoted to Corporal and 1yr 3mos later picked up Sgt. He is one of the most motivated individuals that I have ever seen. All this from a little "encouragement" from Mom and a reminder of the reasons why he became a Marine in the first place.

[gofigyer]

What a great story! Guess I'm glad to know that even tho' you all assure me that he's a 'man', there's somebody there that will rat him out if he doesn't pull his weight! HAHAH. And I would bet my eye teeth that he would NOT want to get a phone call like that.

Actually, he lives fulltime with his dad. His current job is not very physical though; do you think it would be helpful to offer a 3 month stint at a gym?? He's pretty active otherwise, but I'm thinking that snowboarding doesn't really help too much in getting him in shape.

That's one of the reasons I know he's growing up. Cause the first words out of his mouth were not "do they have snowboarding in San Diego". HAHAHA.

So I haven't read all the general rules and ettiquette yet, just cruised them in my initial panic. What is he now? Since he's signed his MOU and took his oath. And, of course, I'm dying to call the family. Is he a pool (ee)? Or a soon-to-be or what?

Getting my feet wet in Denver. Gofigyer

[Gator347]

Actually, he lives fulltime with his dad. His current job is not very physical though; do you think it would be helpful to offer a 3 month stint at a gym?? He's pretty active otherwise, but I'm thinking that snowboarding doesn't really help too much in getting him in shape.


Just get him into the POOL (Marines Ready to Ship - Delayed Entry Program) The Recruier will get him ready.

My son was rehabbing 12 months after a car wreck. In January he could not even run 1 1/2 miles. He shipped in May and graduated in August 07.

Awesome RSS (Houma, LA), Greater Recruiters, Class A SDI (Senior D. I.)

What he needs now is your support.

[marinemom]

Do not freak out because of the quickness of events - better that than delays, delays, delays.

You've been given good advice - remember it is his decision - and your support while he gets through the paperwork, exams and the Depot is one thing that he needs the most.

All of us who have sons and daughters in the Corps have the same "heart condition" as you - and if you think you are porud of him now, wait until you see him walk across the parade deck at graduation - it is a feeliong that is totally undescribable.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Marine Parents - get ready for the ride of your life!

[temarti]

I was in his shoes 17 years ago, 20yrs old working a dead end and not growing out of what was going on with the local crowd. I went talked to the recruiter took the ASVAB and within two weeks signed the papers. I was asked by family if I thought this through and if I had planned it out. The plan was, there was not one. There was no other future plan for where I was at that time either.

Basically, it was the best decision I had ever made. If I taken time to think it through I would have more than likely let others talk me out of it. As I travel back home once a year I see those who were questioning my decision and look at where they are now.

I look back at my time in and know that there is no way I can pay back what was given to me. For 11 years I was with the largest retailer in Loss Prevention, I have had the opportunity to be responsible for stores in a few major metro markets and spend a few years in Corp. fraud living with my family in Singapore and Tokyo. Just last year I was able to reconnect with the Marine Corps by taking a postion at HQ and have oversight for the Asset Protection programs.

Basically, if I had not made the quick decision that I did and took the risk 17 years ago I would not of had the opportunities that I have had. Your son will do fine and you will find that it was the best decision that he has made as an adult.

[gofigyer]

Wow. I see that I have a lot to learn but knowing some of the ins and outs certainly helps, as do all of your experiences. So much I don't know. So I will do what you all suggest - butt out, let the Marines do their jobs, and be the best support system that I can. I have no doubt (and never did) that the path he has chosen is the right one for him. I already know what kind of a young man he is and look forward to seeing him grow into the man that he will be.

gofigyer

[quillhill]

I am proud of every single one of the Poolees from Leatherneck that earns the Title. I mostly lurk these days but I follow a lot of the posts the kids make as they prepare to hit the yellow footprints. If I don't make it on here during the week I make sure to check in every Friday night and Saturday night to see if we have any new Marines.
So, I can only begin to imagine how you must feel as a parent (as I don't have kids, so I can only empathize) and how you will feel as a parent.
But I remember when my brother graduated from Air Force basic military training three years ago. My eyes, as the Marines like to say, were leaking like a faucet.
I suspect your experience will be that much more intense. I'm excited for you and your son.
As I can't serve myself due to my health issues I live vicariously through others and support those who serve and their loved ones.