My son just enlisted in the Navy..any advice?

[Katie]

My Ds(19) just enlisted in the Navy. This all happened quite quickly, he talked to the recuiter a couple of weeks ago, took the "test" last week, and last friday went to St. Louis for a physical. He said this was all NON committment at the time. He had several jobs he thought sounded good but when he left for St. Louis he was still "thinking" about it.

Well, he came home that night, signed sealed and with a departure date of December 6, 2005. Great Lakes Navel Academy Base in Gurnee, IL.

He got the job he wanted an IT job. He scored an 84 (230) on his "test" which according to him was a high score and he could pick from just about any job out there.

I am little blown away with the speed of things... I guess I have 7 months to get used to his departure. Does anybody have any words of advice or experience with this?

He is a bright boy just with lazy work ethics...he quit college because "it just didn't fit him"...whatever! I told him he had to go get a full-time job with benefits because my husbands insurance doesn't cover him if he wasn't a full time student....I told him the service would be the best thing for him..whip him into shape...but I never really thought he would look into it!

Looking for some help out there!!

Ps. HE is really excited about the whole thing..so we are trying to be too!

 

[doxdogy]

No advice, just congratulations to your son. He is right, a score of 84 is great score.

 

[chadfromdallas]

He is a bright boy just with lazy work ethics...he quit college because "it just didn't fit him"...whatever! I told him he had to go get a full-time job with benefits because my husbands insurance doesn't cover him if he wasn't a full time student....I told him the service would be the best thing for him..whip him into shape...but I never really thought he would look into it!

Here's hoping it does whip him into shape! You really can't have much of a life without a decent college education...

 

[DawnCt1]

I think that there was a time that military service was a "rite of passage" into manhood for many young men. While a lot of it was "involuntary" (the draft), over all military service proved to be a very positive, maturing experience. I think you should be proud. Has he chosen an MOS within the Navy yet? There are many career opportunities in the Navy that translate very well into civilian jobs for the future. Aviation, air traffic control, computer science, nuclear technology,etc. DS 20 has always wanted to be an Army Ranger. He just completed his second year of college, has an excellent gpa but is waiting only to complete his dental work (orthodontia, replacing 4 congenitally missing teeth ) and he may be heading into the military as well. DH and I both want him to finish college first but he probably won't before enlisting. Be supportive is my best advice.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Hi Katie,

Back in 1972 I enlisted in the Navy and I'm almost sure my parents had felt the same you do now. They were nervous too ,as there was a war on then also. BTW, I went to Great Lakes also.
We wrote lots and lots of letters back and forth while at boot camp. It wasnt till years later when my Mom passed away that we had found she kept every single one of the letters i had sent home thru my entire time in the Navy.

So as wud be.....what I'm saying is love him, cherish every minute you have with him and let him spread his wings and fly. He will be a new man and will appreciate what he will learn for the rest of his life, as well as his family.
And he will learn to clean up after himself, I can guarantee it!

 

[ElizK]

No words of advice, but a BIG "thank you" to him for being willing to serve. You're going to be so proud of him, I bet!

 

[icebrat001]

My Ds(19) just enlisted in the Navy. This all happened quite quickly, he talked to the recuiter a couple of weeks ago, took the "test" last week, and last friday went to St. Louis for a physical. He said this was all NON committment at the time. He had several jobs he thought sounded good but when he left for St. Louis he was still "thinking" about it.

Well, he came home that night, signed sealed and with a departure date of December 6, 2005. Great Lakes Navel Academy Base in Gurnee, IL.

He got the job he wanted an IT job. He scored an 84 (230) on his "test" which according to him was a high score and he could pick from just about any job out there.

I am little blown away with the speed of things... I guess I have 7 months to get used to his departure. Does anybody have any words of advice or experience with this?

He is a bright boy just with lazy work ethics...he quit college because "it just didn't fit him"...whatever! I told him he had to go get a full-time job with benefits because my husbands insurance doesn't cover him if he wasn't a full time student....I told him the service would be the best thing for him..whip him into shape...but I never really thought he would look into it!

Looking for some help out there!!

Ps. HE is really excited about the whole thing..so we are trying to be too!

Its in Great lakes, IL. It is cold, cold, cold that time of year. I enlisted in the Navy (female) in 2002, I had a heart attack the day before graduation, never knew I had a heart condition. Anyway, I was at bootcamp Thanksgiving and over the winter Holiday and it was cold! The food was great, the best advice for your son is get used to the Hurry up and Wait policy, one minute they are rushing you and the next moment you are waiting for hours. He'll have to shower with other people like 40+ with no separation, he won't get a lot of time to eat, overall it's not bad at all, in fact I had fun, up until i got sick. It won't hurt for him to get into shape and make take some vitamins prior to going because once someone in the unit (ship) gets sick, everyone gets sick.

Goodluck to him!

 

[Dan Murphy]

That's wonderful, Katie, congratulations to your son, and you also. Your son is in the process of maturing, as are all young people. He has made a good decision, it will do him well. And certainly college is not for everybody nor necessary, many do VERY well without a day of it. Wait till he returns from basic next year, you will be beaming. Enjoy the months ahead to really get close to him. Again, congratulations to you both.

 

[Galahad]

Congrats and Thank You as well.

The other advice (from an Army type) is that he needs to keep his uniforms organized. The Navy can't decide from day to day how they want to dress.....Blue, Black, tan, good humor suits.... They just can't make up their mind.

 

[Trinity721]

The best advice I would have is to support him and be there for him. When boot camp comes along, write him. I am sure you are proud of him.

DH was 20 when he joined the Navy, and at the time it was the best decision he ever made. He had no direction, no idea what he wanted to do. The Navy gave him a direction, goals, and opportunities. We met when we were both 16, and I can definitely say that I have really watched him grow into a real man. He is a wonderful husband, a devoted father and a proud provider for our family. Like your son, he started out in an IT field (in the Navy I think it is called ET). After A and C school, DH ended up as an FC - fire controlman. He just finished serving his 6 months deployment overseas in the Persian Gulf working the ships's defense weapons system. I couldn't be more proud of him. Incidentally DBIL is about to join the Navy as well, as soon as he is prepared to take the test which should be in a few weeks.

We are both Chicagoans, so it was nice that Great Lakes was right there, just a 30 min drive from my hometown. YES it will definitely be cold cold cold in December!!! Unfortunately, boot camp during the winter months consists of 'snow watch' which means shoveling, not watching hehe. I thought DH would hate boot camp, as he has never been used to a strict schedule and someone always telling him what to do. But after it was all over, he actually said he liked it and he had fun, even though it was tough. He definitely enjoyed the comraderie and newfound pride in his work. Just tell your son to listen to the RDC's (i.e. drill sargeant), do what he is told, and he will do just fine. And to get used to the sleep deprivation. That was probably the hardest adjustment.

Congratulations to your son and your family. Good luck to your son, and thanks to him for deciding to dedicate himself to serving our country.

 

[MiJo]

I can only give him the same advice my Dad gave me when I enlisted in the Navy in 1971: "Son, keep your nose clean."
Congratulations!

 

[transparant]

Congratulations to your son! My father is a Sergeant in the Navy Reserves - he LOVES it!

 

[powellrj]

Give him lots of love and support. When my DS joined the army 2 years ago, he was in about the same situation as your DS. He didn't like school, wasn't going to class, driving us crazy because he wasn't working enough to get health insurance, but needed to stay in school to stay on his dads.

The war started and 2 days later he joined the army. It wasn't what I expected, but he has never been happier. He has grown-up so much (there are still flashes of the old DS) and has a little money in the bank and is excited about going back to school when he gets out.

My other advise would be to have him start running so it won't be such a shock!!

 

[lyeag]

I was in the Navy in the 90's. Make sure he decides on a job and a school before he leaves and gets it in writing in his contract!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, does he have any college at all? If he has some credits, I honestly can't remember how many, he can come out of boot camp an E-2 or E-3 right away. I came out an E-3. Ask him to double check on any enlistment bonuses he might qualify for.

Send lots of letters and be supportive. I remember my Dad was shocked when I told him I wanted to join. He never dreamed his baby girl would tell him something like that. I went in at 19, because I didn't have any sense of direction. I sure got some in a hurry!!! It really helped me grow up fast.


Go talk to the recruiter if you have any questions. Thank your son for serving his country.

 

[Deb in IA]

Congrats, Katie!

Yes, it's scary to have a son in the military these days, but we also have 2 nephews currently serving in the Navy.

Our older nephew sounds much like your son. Very bright, but he had some behavioral problems and did not get along well with his mom. His dad, a real dead-beat, left while Aaron was still a toddler, and has never had much to do with him.

Anyway, Aaron dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Navy. This was actually the best thing that he's done. He has really flourished there, even being awarded an "outstanding midshipmen" certificate. He has matured, and made him a much more responsible young man.

Here's hoping your son does well also!

 

[Rokkitsci]

My Ds(19) just enlisted in the Navy. This all happened quite quickly, he talked to the recuiter a couple of weeks ago, took the "test" last week, and last friday went to St. Louis for a physical. He said this was all NON committment at the time. He had several jobs he thought sounded good but when he left for St. Louis he was still "thinking" about it.

Well, he came home that night, signed sealed and with a departure date of December 6, 2005. Great Lakes Navel Academy Base in Gurnee, IL.

He got the job he wanted an IT job. He scored an 84 (230) on his "test" which according to him was a high score and he could pick from just about any job out there.

I am little blown away with the speed of things... I guess I have 7 months to get used to his departure. Does anybody have any words of advice or experience with this?

He is a bright boy just with lazy work ethics...he quit college because "it just didn't fit him"...whatever! I told him he had to go get a full-time job with benefits because my husbands insurance doesn't cover him if he wasn't a full time student....I told him the service would be the best thing for him..whip him into shape...but I never really thought he would look into it!

Looking for some help out there!!

Ps. HE is really excited about the whole thing..so we are trying to be too!

Be proud - be very proud.

My congratulations to you and your son.

This sounds exactly like my son's situation - except it occurred 25 years ago and he chose the Air Force.

It was the best thing that ever happened to him. I am so proud of him.

My best to you and your son. Thank God for people like him.

 

[Sleepy]

Make sure he decides on a job and a school before he leaves and gets it in writing in his contract!!!!!!!!!!!!! .

I cannot stress this enough!!!!!!!! Recruiters will lie to you to get you to sign on the dotted line. If they say you will get something....make them show you in writing! If it is not in writing, then all the fussing in the world won't make a bit of difference. Example.....hubby lost a $450 a month bonus over a 3 yesr period because the person taking care of paperwork for new orders was on leave and the replacement was new and did not know what she was doing. Hubby did not realize until too late that paperwork was missing, so he gets no bonus money......total of about $10,000.

 

[Katie]

My son got in the Information Technology School.

He is looking into the college credit for higher advancement as we speak..thanks to you guys. He has 12 credits and could take a class or two before his deployment if it would pay out!

It is in writing, a 3000 sign on bonus and if he decides to stay two more years another 4000 sign on bonus. That is definate. His status is E1..but if the college credit thing works out..it should be bumped up. I will make sure they change the contract before he leaves for boot camp.

Any idea of what to expect? Ect...thanks again

 

[momsgoofy]

Katie,

Hugs to ya cause it's not easy to walk your shoes right now...and congrats! What a fine son you have who is willing to serve!!

I'm a military brat...Dad did 5 years in the Navy and 15 in the Air Force...his dad served in the Navy, 2 BIL's served (Army and Air Force) and my ex-husband was in the Navy...enlisted at 29 right at the beginning of Desert Shield...his cousins called me trying to beg me to get him to NOT enlist...couldn't do it because it was the path he chose and I supported him 100%...it honestly was the best thing for him. He was a CTM...cryptological technical maitnence...never saw a day onboard ship and got lucky and never saw a day of hazard duty.

My oldest nephew went to Marine boot camp the day we sent troops to Iraq...he had a wife and 5 month old son but it has been the best thing for him...he has matured so much. He is a smart guy...28 on his ACT and 100 on his ASVAB when he was a junior...he just dislikes school...prefers hands on training...he ended up in Admin...makes sure everyone get their pay, leave and the dependents are taken care of...but he could still be sent to a war zone. Right after he got out of boot camp, he came to DS's 6th grade class and spent 3 hours talking about the Corps....I saw such pride in him as he spoke that I'd never seen before. He was always the quiet kid, but talking about the Marines was a piece of cake...something he honestly believes in with all his heart. The Marines have been good to him and as he approaches his re-enlistment I hope he does.

The only things I could suggest for you, Mom, is to support him in every way possible! The poster about boot camp being a hurry up and wait is correct...and I remember both my ex and nephew telling me that it is a TEAM...you do everything together. The ex said he couldn't even start eating until there was a full table...he did his boot camp at Orlando (thus my first trip to WDW...one of the few good things about the ex...lol). When your son is at boot camp send him cards, letters, news clippings from home...I would send my nephew cards written like a news blurp with all the latest happenings from home. Don't ask a bunch of questions and don't expect a lot of return mail or calls....sometimes they are few and far between since the recruits are so busy. My nephew said he really appreciated the blank stamped envelopes I'd send...told him to write a note to someone he really wanted to...might have been his wife or his mom...I didn't care.

When it comes time for his Pass and Review...graduation from boot camp, make every effort to attend...it's a beautiful and moving event! Those memn and women worked their butts off to get to that day and they are so happy to see their family! My ex and I were married, two weeks later he went to boot camp...nine weeks later I went to Orlando for his Pass and Review.

As for you, well, if there is a support group in your area you might want to check it out...around here a group meets at one of the churches. It's harder to find the support groups if you aren't near a military base. And something tells me you might be near Scott Air Force Base, about 30 minutes outside of St. Louis on the Illinois side...I'm from down near Carbondale, but grew up going to Scott with my folks.

And oh, hey...those all black uniforms the Navy wears as the "winter working uniform" are called Johnny Cashes and those dungarees are bell bottoms so you can use them as a floatation device.

Best of luck to you both! We'll keep you both in thoughts and prayers along with the rest of our military members and their families!!!

 

[lucyanna girl]

When our 17 year old high school senior begged to join the marines because he wanted to be in special forces we refused. Sent him off to collage confident he would outgrow the idea. A year later our tests at near genius level son quit collage failing every subject to ( you guessed it ) join the marines.
He spent four years in service, became a member of the special forces ( scout-snipper ) and grew up.
Came home a man. Went back to collage and in less than four years not only graduated with honours but also got his masters degree. Also meet and married the most wonderful girl there ever was. They just had their second son four weeks ago, have great jobs, a beautiful two and a half year old little boy who looks just like his Daddy, and seem to be as happy as anyone I ever knew.
So, Just know that what seems to be the darkest night can become a brighter day than you can imagine. I well remember the awful pain of leaving my son at the induction depot and knowing we would not see him for months.
I thought my heart would surely brake. But from that has come a blessed future for him and that is all I could ask for.
I pray things will go as well for you and for your son.