We saw our oldest off to Navy basic training today...

[Harris4crna]

Recently retired from the USN and DW is due to retire in 2026. Best decision I have ever made. Paid for school for myself and my daughter. Traveled the world. No regrets....

Father is a veteran and now he receives a pension for only serving 2 years in Vietnam.

Truly a blessing. Congratulations to your son.

 

[mickeyd]

Went into US ARMY in 1966 as Pvt E-1 and got out 1992 after 4 years active and 20 in reserves as a LTC. Now they stash a bunch of money in my checking account monthly. Thank you my fellow Americans for the opportunity to serve you. US military is a great choice.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

Update- thanks to all who responded. We got a call from our son on Christmas day- he sounded a bit down, but not despondent. He called again on Saturday and sounded much more optimistic. He said they are about to start on the fun parts- putting out fires and the like. He is looking forward to graduation and not sleeping in a room with 90 other people. He's met a few other guys headed for Nuke school in Charleston, and likes them. He was annoyed with some recruits getting everyone into trouble, because they don't know when to shut up- lol. He's always been a rule follower, it's serving him well now.

 

[Gumby]

Thanks for the update. Sounds like things are going well. An old rule of thumb about sailors is that a complaining sailor is a happy sailor. It's only when they stop complaining that you have to worry.

 

[Lewis Clark]

Thanks for the update. Sounds like things are going well. An old rule of thumb about sailors is that a complaining sailor is a happy sailor. It's only when they stop complaining that you have to worry.

Complaining is one of the few rights they have. It's good when people exercise their rights.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

Update on our son- he graduated from basic! He got his choice of rate- ETN and is excited about heading to Charleston after his medical hold is cleared. (I suspect its nothing serious, the Navy is just being careful because they're about to invest SO much money in his training) I gave him my phone and he read all of your comments- thanks very much. Advice is always better coming from anyone other than your parents!

 

[Gumby]

Great news! Congratulations to all of you. Nuke ET is the best - they get to be the Reactor Operator.

 

[G POP]

Ahhh, "we've" been through army boot camp (twice) and Marine boot camp ...

Fixed it for you. lol

 

[mebden]

Update on our son- he graduated from basic! He got his choice of rate- ETN and is excited about heading to Charleston after his medical hold is cleared. (I suspect its nothing serious, the Navy is just being careful because they're about to invest SO much money in his training) I gave him my phone and he read all of your comments- thanks very much. Advice is always better coming from anyone other than your parents!View attachment 54411

Now tell him it doesn't get easier, but he made the 1st big step and CONGRADULATIONS my fellow shipmate now go excel in his A-School and then he will get to pick his choices of where to serve at least they did that back in my day. I took Italy and it was some of the best years of my life as I seen things I might never see again

 

[Gumby]

Great news! Congratulations to all of you. Nuke ET is the best - they get to be the Reactor Operator.

P.S. - from the little flash of red I see on his left arm, it seems he is leaving bootcamp as a Fireman Apprentice (E-2) rather than a Fireman Recruit (E-1). That means he did really well in bootcamp, probably something like recruit company commander. And his ribbon indicates he is an Expert Pistol Shot, another thing of which to be proud.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

P.S. - from the little flash of red I see on his left arm, it seems he is leaving bootcamp as a Fireman Apprentice (E-2) rather than a Fireman Recruit (E-1). That means he did really well in bootcamp, probably something like recruit company commander. And his ribbon indicates he is an Expert Pistol Shot, another thing of which to be proud.

You have very keen eyes. Yes, he did great in basic. He was trying for an award, which he didn't get, but we're proud of him for how hard he worked anyway.

 

[Lewis Clark]

Congratulations to your son. Sounds like he has built a solid foundation for what lies ahead.

You should be proud!

 

[audreyh1]

I bet you are very proud!

 

[ugeauxgirl]

We are very proud, and thrilled that he's so excited about his career. He's been telling us all about what happened in basic and what happens next in A school. He hasn't talked to us this much in years!

 

[audreyh1]

That’s great that he’s so excited and motivated!

 

[mebden]

We are very proud, and thrilled that he's so excited about his career. He's been telling us all about what happened in basic and what happens next in A school. He hasn't talked to us this much in years!

and thats where he is becoming his own grown-up individual

 

[Jerry1]

Congratulations! What a proud moment as a parent. Very happy for you.

 

[Koolau]

OP You should be very proud about your son's commitment. It's great that he is serving at a time when most citizens support their armed forces. Our military is respected and is arguably the best in the world. Enjoy your time as a military mom. All the best. Thanks for sharing your son with our military.

 

[More Cowbell]

Congratulations all around! Is that a sibling next to him? With the happy but slightly stunned look, like “Wait, what happened to you?”

For BESS and A school, I sent my nephew a Tread Labs Ramble Insole Kit (hurray for Amazon!), which he greatly appreciated whether standing watch duty or in dress shoes.

 

[Dtail]

Congrats. The maturity happening right before your eyes.

 

[street]

That is so exciting for you and your Family. Sounds like your Son is a go getter and a high achiever. I wish him and is something to be very proud of that young man.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

Congratulations all around! Is that a sibling next to him? With the happy but slightly stunned look, like “Wait, what happened to you?”

For BESS and A school, I sent my nephew a Tread Labs Ramble Insole Kit (hurray for Amazon!), which he greatly appreciated whether standing watch duty or in dress shoes.

Yes- that's our younger son who is nearly 18 and about to graduate high school. He isn't sure what he wants to do next- wasn't it sneaky of me to insist he come with us? He likes to travel- he only needed an invitation. Thanks for the insoles tip!

 

[More Cowbell]

My nephew asked me a Kindle as a Christmas gift while he was at A school. Bought him a Paperwhite with maximum storage capacity. Bonus, it is super easy to gift Kindle books! I gifted him with JL Collins “The Simple Path to Wealth.” Submariners can spend months undersea, plenty of time to read then!

 

[Koolau]

My nephew asked me a Kindle as a Christmas gift while he was at A school. Bought him a Paperwhite with maximum storage capacity. Bonus, it is super easy to gift Kindle books! I gifted him with JL Collins “The Simple Path to Wealth.” Submariners can spend months undersea, plenty of time to read then!

I don't know. According to the submariners on our Forum, there isn't much free time on a sub. You're likely never really "off duty" - even when you're sleeping.

One thing for certain. If they need you, they know where to find you!

 

[pacergal]

ugeauxgirl--congratulations to your son and your family. Great accomplishment and more to come, I bet.