My "baby" left for basic training
 

Yesterday my 17 year old son left for basic training for the Army Reserves. I already have a son in college, so I didnt think it would be that big a deal to say goodbye, but I gotta tell ya, it felt like I was sending my kid to the electric chair. :( I miss him terribly already. I've just been a basket case for two days now and I'm wondering if anyon else on Yorkietalk has had this experience, because noone who hasn't done it knows what its like.

I signed up when I was 17. Where did he go. What base?

My son joined the marines 2 years ago ...He's been wanting to be a marine since high school (the recruiters start brainwashing them in highschool) Anyway, he went down to S. Carolina and when we went to graduation I was so proud of him...He became a different person...He grew up so much (was in so many fights and stuff in h.s.) and became first in his class of 500 ! (he never brought a book home from school, not because he was smart, because he didn't think he needed school, he was going to be a millionaire without an education !???????) Anyway, he did it and got to go to Japan for 2 years....Just finished 1 year and got a couple of promotions...He is Mr. Marine...As a mom, I hope he stays in Japan and keeps working !!! His school buddy became a reserve and went to Iraq in March...Pray for him please...He's just like my son too and I'm afraid for him, but they chose what they wanted to do and we have to be behind them all the way... God bless our children, our country and every mother's child.....Amen
Your son is doing what is in his heart and apparently he needs to join to complete his life !? Doesn't make sense to me, but in a way I see it in their eyes...good luck:thumbup:

It is so hard and my heart goes out to you. He is only seventeen.

I would like for you to tell him that there are some that are so appreciative of his decision and harbor a tremendous amout of respect for him. Would you tell him that for me? Please?

That God will bring you comfort and peace in this.... this is what I pray for you. Bless you and him.

he is at fort knox for bct, then he goes to fort jackson for ait.

Thank you... I will tell him.....but I'm not sure when I'll get to talk to him again. He just left today so it will probably be at least a week before we get a letter, so I hear from other "army moms'

I just want to offer a sincere and humble thank you to every service member and every family that serves in this way. I and my family appreciate your sacrifice, and your achievement in raising a person of honor. I can't begin to understand the feelings and worries you must have. You have my respect and admiration, Thank you.

My husband is on his 3rd tour in Iraq and we have been in for 14 years. As a NCO's wife I can tell you he'll be safely cared for by his leaders. Once he gets his duty station let us know, if I cant help get him settled Im sure Id know someone at his base. Army towns can really take advantage on the new privates.

:bravo: Ditto!

relaxin jackson.....lol......Well I dont know much about fort knox but if it is like Ft Leonardwood He wil go to reception to go through processing. He can write if he wants immediatly but it will be a week or so before you have an address to send to him. (Hopefully not like me that I got stuck there 3 weeks) Basic really isnt what it was even a year ago so don't stress too much. The hardest thing right now is lonliness. Seriously. Missing family and friends can be hard especially when you are in the enviroment. He will get fed and sleep for the most part. He should be able to start calling after a day or two but he may get as little as 5 minutes to call. (like I said alll this keeps changing I have heard of red phase now a days getting their cells)


Don't worry too much he is being taken care of and fed. It is all game. And Drill Sergeants are not allowed to touch them in any way. For the most part they don't even get up in their faces. I hope this helped a little. I am seriously happy I joined it was the best thing for me.

Thank you for your very eloquent way with words. I too appreciate the sacrifices that you and your son are making to help make this nation a safer place to live.

I would like to inlcude ALL service men and woment and their families.

Thank you so much everyone for all of your support, it really does help, especially those of you who have already been through it. I think not knowing what he's going through or how he's feeling is the worst part, we are very close and he tells me everything, but I know he didn't tell me how he was really feeling when he left because he didn't want me to worry or be upset...it didnt' work:rolleyes:

Again, thank you so much for all your support. I really appreciate it.

Oh, yes, I remember it well. My son went into the Coast Guard as soon as he turned 17. It was years ago, but it could have been yesterday. I remember seeing him disappear into the airplane and watching it take off. He spent almost 17 years in the Coast Guard. He was an Air Survivalman (rescue swimmer) for six years. He just moved from being 3 hours away from home to being 850 miles away from home and I got the very same feeling. It's never easy to see a child go far away. God bless you and your son.

My oldest enlisted when he was 17 too. I put him on the train for basic training went to the parking lot, sat in my car and bawled like a baby.
It was the end of his childhood and I would never ever have my little guy back again. The next time I saw him he would be a man. So I know how you feel. I wasn't prepared for such powerful emotions either. Boy, us mothers sure do go through a lot.

You're not kidding... How long was it before the random bursting out into tears stopped, cuz that's driving me crazy !!!!! I never know when it will hit, and since no one around me has ever had this experience before they all look at me like I'm nuts.

I have my youngest in Iraq now and he is due to come home in Sept. I know how you feel. I have 3 boys and My hubby has been in Iraq with the Navy. So its not like we didn't know what would happen when he got out of boot camp. My son is in the Army and in intelligence and we don't always know where he is going or how long. I have to tell you this was my hubbys 2nd trip to Iraq and him and my son was over there the same time. I love my hubby alot but my son is what was the heart breaker. I have to tell you to get through it all you have to talk to God and leave it in his hand to watch over him and his team. That is what gets me through this daily. Nothing is harder than having your baby sign up and growing up into a man. Its like they skip a period in there life. You can talk to them over the phone and hear it in there voice. I will keep you and him in my prayers. We need these young kids doing what they believe in. Thank God we have them protecting us all. You have to be very proud of them for that. I'm here anytime you feel you need someone to talk to.

He Called me !!!!!
 

I'm so excited !!:D He called me from Kentucky today. He is still in reception, and won't actually start training until Tuesday, so he's pretty bored and pretty homesick right now. It was only a two minute phone call, but it was so good to hear his voice and know that he's thinking of us too. I loved hearing from him, problem is that I'm at work right now and I'm completely distracted since I got his call. I just can't seem to concentrate on anything. :rolleyes:

Thanks for letting me vent...no one around here understands so they really don't want to hear it.