moms with sons in the military

[Tiggeroo]

how tough was it.
My one son is serious about joining the Coast Guard. Not as risky as the other branches but there is clearly some risk. He needs some focus and discipline in his life and I'm sure he'll be great at it. He's grown up on the water and really loves the idea of ocean rescues. It's the first time I've seen him excited about his future since high school. But the whole thought scares me to death and I can't imagine saying good bye and not seeing him for so long. I can't imagine him not being here for the holidays, etc.
He could probably be swayed not to join if I talk about this the wrong way. How can I have this conversation encouraging him when I really don't want him to go?

 

[JennyMominRI]

how tough was it.
My one son is serious about joining the Coast Guard. Not as risky as the other branches but there is clearly some risk. He needs some focus and discipline in his life and I'm sure he'll be great at it. He's grown up on the water and really loves the idea of ocean rescues. It's the first time I've seen him excited about his future since high school. But the whole thought scares me to death and I can't imagine saying good bye and not seeing him for so long. I can't imagine him not being here for the holidays, etc.
He could probably be swayed not to join if I talk about this the wrong way. How can I have this conversation encouraging him when I really don't want him to go?

I'm not the Mom of a son in the military but I am the daughter of a mother with a daughter who was in the military <G>
I know it was tough for her..My brother and I were both Marines..I think it was even harder for her to let me go.. She supported me though..She could see it was what I really wanted,and now as a mother I truly apprecate how hard it was.. Support your son. You will be glad you did.. He's doing a good thing

 

[Cool-Beans]

how tough was it.
My one son is serious about joining the Coast Guard. Not as risky as the other branches but there is clearly some risk. He needs some focus and discipline in his life and I'm sure he'll be great at it. He's grown up on the water and really loves the idea of ocean rescues. It's the first time I've seen him excited about his future since high school. But the whole thought scares me to death and I can't imagine saying good bye and not seeing him for so long. I can't imagine him not being here for the holidays, etc.
He could probably be swayed not to join if I talk about this the wrong way. How can I have this conversation encouraging him when I really don't want him to go?

I'd just tell him the truth. That I'm happy for him and proud of him but that I worry and will miss him. Nothing wrong there.

He is turning into a man who has to kind of pat his mommy on the head and tell her everything will be OK. The military is well aware that moms worry about their "babies" (they're always our babies, aren't they?) and they teach the young men how to handle it. Just like they teach them every flippin thing, even who to greet, in what order, when they return from deployment (wife first, kids second, parents third).

God bless your son for what he's about to do, and bless you, too!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

I am the child (daughter) in the military. My mom went through some tough times with me in the military: I received orders to the Philippines 3 weeks after 2 airmen were shot and killed outside the base I was going to; I was stationed in the Philippines when Mt Pinatubo erupted before the days of cell phones and e-mail (mom knew I was OK when she saw a snippet on CNN with me being interviewed!); I was sent to Saudi during Desert Storm; I married another military member (pilot type) who has deployed numerous times including a 4-month deployment only 4 weeks after the birth of our 2nd daughter; I lived in New Orleans for 5 1/2 years (fortunately moved 9 months before Katrina).

She said 2 things got her through: she raised me to be able to take care of myself, and she knew the AF had given me the training to deal with anything that was thrown at me. It didn't stop her from worrying, but she also said she worried less after the volcano incident. At that point she realized that worrying about things she had no control of was a waste of her time and energy!!

Congratulations to you son for choosing a hard, but very rewarding path!

 

[powellrj]

My DS enlisted 2 days after the war started. I was sick with fear. I mean I cried whenever I told anyone what his plans were. I was pretty much a mess!!

I was proud of him, but at the sametime, other people were very cruel and hateful about it. I had many people tell me what a bad parent I was, what an idiot my DS was. I wish I had a dollar for every person who said "what kind of idiot would let their kid join the army when we are at war."

Just let him know how proud you are of him and support him in every way you can! He let me go to his swearing in and I was with him at MEPS. I think it made it easier for both of us. I was upset, but at the same time I was his #1 fan. I let him know I was there for him. I let him know how proud of him I was and I let him know that no matter what happened, I would support him.

I am so glad that he let me be there for him. I use to post on an Army moms site, and I was shocked at the number of kids who cut off all contact with their parents. I am not sure what happened, but I was not going to let that happen.

OK, I tend to ramble when I talk about him, so I will end this now!!!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Dh and I were honored to have witnessed our DS's oath to join the military July 2, 2002. We did not see him until his Basic graduation at Lackland AFB in August, 2002. It was the most emotional weekend we ever endured. We met a very mature son that weekend. After Tech school, we said our good-byes again when he left for his new home for several years. Matt is stationed in Alaska and is currently in Korea due to be back to base this weekend. DH and I are so proud of our son and what he stands for. He will be a civilian again in 2009 and will have $$$ to spend on a college education. Support your son any way you can. He is entering a very honored group and you will be so proud. I promise! Its because of all the people like him that gives American citizens the right to say what they please, including here on the DIS.

 

[christineann]

My son is about to graduate with a degree in criminal justice, and the only time he gave police work a second thought was when he thought about joining the Coast Guard instead. He has decided to become a police officer and then join the Coast Guard reserve as soon as he gets settled in his job.

Good luck to all these fine young people!

 

[mamajoan]

Mom of Military Son....
My DS-25 is in the Army. He has been in for 6 years. He is returning to the Middle East soon.. Baghdad .. He does NOT support the reasons for this war... that being said..... he is doing his job and doing it well.
We were a Marine Corps family.. dh was in for 12 years. So Mike is well accustomed to military life.

As the mom of an active duty soldier.... it is tough. I have a hard time watching the news. I know he is well trained. I say prayers for all Military members and their families.... that is how I get thru the fear.

Military service helped Mike to focus and mature. It was the right choice at the time for him. I wish the best for your son. You will remain close with your son... keep writing and calling ... send lots of packages.

 

[Meezers]

My Mom had a daughter in the US Army...me! During the cold war and I was in some pretty weird places...you know...Military Intelligence sites....to include behind the wall in Berlin.

One thing my parents did that was a great comfort to me. They always had enough money in savings for plane tickets and made sure they had passports in case they needed to travel ASAP...there was also a way to get me a plane ticket if I NEEDED one!

What your son is doing is wonderful and he will be a much better person for it...I know I am!