Any military mom or dads out there?

[rue]

My son left yesterday to start his career in the Army with the 101st airborne division (he's in communications). He has already been to basic and AIT (training), so this is the big time.

My husband is in the Army too, but he's been a recruiter since I've been married to him, so I didn't have to go through any of his deployments.

Anyway, he has been told he won't have to deploy for at least a year, but it was really hard to say goodbye to him (I was a mess yesterday) and I wanted to know....

Does anyone else have a kid (or kids) in the military and understand what I'm going through?

 

[Harp]

My son left yesterday to start his career in the Army with the 101st airborne division (he's in communications). He has already been to basic and AIT (training), so this is the big time.
... and understand what I'm going through?

I can relate more to your son; having spent time in the 101st and the 12th SF.
I was a bit wild when I was a kid, and I know my mother consequently endured
much, which I tried to redress later in life.
A lifelong bachelor, I cannot imagine the burdens of parenthood.
All the best to you rue, and your fine son.

 

[Big Man]

... Does anyone else have a kid (or kids) in the military and understand what I'm going through?

Both of my sons joined in early 2002 and left the same week for basic (one to Fort Benning and the other to Fort Leonard Wood). It was very hard to see them off, so I do know what you are going through right now. They're both out now. The experience was very valuable to them and well worth the effort.

All the best to you and your son.

 

[rue]

I can relate more to your son; having spent time in the 101st and the 12th SF.
I was a bit wild when I was a kid, and I know my mother consequently endured
much, which I tried to redress later in life.
A lifelong bachelor, I cannot imagine the burdens of parenthood.
All the best to you rue, and your fine son.

Thank you Harp for your well wishes and for serving. You're the opposite of my son. He's a self confessed 'computer dork' and spent most of his time in his room trying to master every video game ever made, but drove me crazy nonetheless. I was a wild child, so we haven't ever really understood each other, but no matter our differences he's my baby boy and I'll bet your mom feels the same way

Both of my sons joined in early 2002 and left the same week for basic (one to Fort Benning and the other to Fort Leonard Wood). It was very hard to see them off, so I do know what you are going through right now. They're both out now. The experience was very valuable to them and well worth the effort.

All the best to you and your son.

Two at the same time?? I can not imagine how worried you and your wife were. I'm so glad they are safe and sound now and thank you for their service and well wishes too. I know it's the best thing for my son and he'll do well, but I still worry even though he's 20. More than anything I respect his decision to serve and I'm very proud

 

[Michael Carter]

I can't really relate to how a mother would feel about her son leaving for military service.

My son has been a Marine for the past seven years, deployed a lot to the Middle East. He is a Satellite Communications Technician.

Both he and I come from a long line of military fathers. I just felt a sense of pride and satisfaction that I thought my son was doing what he wanted to do for his country and not for himself as so many young people seem to think of the military these days.

 

[LittleMissPussyCat]

Military (well Naval) Mother and Wife here, also daughter of a Merchant Naval Officer.

My Husband is now reservist (Ex Full time RN), but still deployed 2 years ago.
Son is a Submariner so disappears for months at a time with no contact at all. He has been in two years now, he started basic training the month after my husband deployed, that was tough at times.
I feel immensely proud of them both, and can honestly say I have no concerns in fact less concern for his safety than I would if he worked locally in say a factory or warehouse.

 

[TheLibrarian]

I can't relate to being a military parent - but I'm an Army kid, four times over (yes, you read that right - both parents and both stepparents), so I know what watching someone leave on deployment is like. Just from the other side of the coin.

The big advantage I had was that I was born into it, so I never knew anything else. The concept of family members who go to a regular office and stay in one place for years at a time is still a foreign one for me.

That being said, as hard as it is for you, your son is now part of an organization that will be like a second family for him, and has a long tradition of caring for its members (as hard as that may be to believe at times). Perhaps you can find it helpful to think of it that way, and not as sending him off into the world on his own.

There are also often support groups (or "family morale offices") at nearby military installations or reserve stations for family members, including parents. Your husband ought to be able to track down whoever the appropriate person is from his unit, if you want to look into that in your area.

 

[Amy Jeanne]

My husband is in the National Guard. He leaves for OSUT/AIT on Sunday. Technically, he counts as a kid. lol Watch for me on the "Show Us What You Made" thread a whole bunch of times in the coming months.

 

[rue]

I can't really relate to how a mother would feel about her son leaving for military service.

My son has been a Marine for the past seven years, deployed a lot to the Middle East. He is a Satellite Communications Technician.

Both he and I come from a long line of military fathers. I just felt a sense of pride and satisfaction that I thought my son was doing what he wanted to do for his country and not for himself as so many young people seem to think of the military these days.

Military (well Naval) Mother and Wife here, also daughter of a Merchant Naval Officer.

My Husband is now reservist (Ex Full time RN), but still deployed 2 years ago.
Son is a Submariner so disappears for months at a time with no contact at all. He has been in two years now, he started basic training the month after my husband deployed, that was tough at times.
I feel immensely proud of them both, and can honestly say I have no concerns in fact less concern for his safety than I would if he worked locally in say a factory or warehouse.

Thank you both

Oh and I know he's actually even safer with the military. My husband tells me this all the time I guess I just hope I've given him the tools to handle life on his own.

 

[rue]

I can't relate to being a military parent - but I'm an Army kid, four times over (yes, you read that right - both parents and both stepparents), so I know what watching someone leave on deployment is like. Just from the other side of the coin.

The big advantage I had was that I was born into it, so I never knew anything else. The concept of family members who go to a regular office and stay in one place for years at a time is still a foreign one for me.

That being said, as hard as it is for you, your son is now part of an organization that will be like a second family for him, and has a long tradition of caring for its members (as hard as that may be to believe at times). Perhaps you can find it helpful to think of it that way, and not as sending him off into the world on his own.

There are also often support groups (or "family morale offices") at nearby military installations or reserve stations for family members, including parents. Your husband ought to be able to track down whoever the appropriate person is from his unit, if you want to look into that in your area.

Thank you for the suggestions. My husband is helping me cope with this, but he's been in for 22 years, so for him to see it from my perspective is a little foreign to him.

 

[rue]

My husband is in the National Guard. He leaves for OSUT/AIT on Sunday. Technically, he counts as a kid. lol Watch for me on the "Show Us What You Made" thread a whole bunch of times in the coming months.

I know what you mean about the kid thing, but I think that's just men in general I wish you all the patience in the world during the time he's away and if you need to talk to someone that understands, I'm always here

 

[kyboots]

I do specialty work at Ft. Knox, Ky. and see many a Basic Trainee or AIT young man or woman who is away from home. I want you all to know how much we thank them and their families for what they do!---John

 

[rue]

Thank you so much John

 

[Foofoogal]

Son is currently in the Coast Guard and has made a career of it.
We are a huge military family. Every branch is currently represented and have had some in most every conflict.
IMHO, it has made many a man.
I have watched smarty pants nephews of mine and I have over at least 46 nieces and nephews go in one way and come out a man. Had a few nieces also in the military. A wide range of specialties learned.
It is not for the faint of heart and especially during certain times like now.
We as a family appreciate every single soldier but also appreciate all the moms, dads, wives, husbands, children etc. that love these soldiers.
It seems we have a running prayer list with many of them and will add you and your family to it also rue.
Freedom is never Free.

 

[rue]

Son is currently in the Coast Guard and has made a career of it.
We are a huge military family. Every branch is currently represented and have had some in most every conflict.
IMHO, it has made many a man.
I have watched smarty pants nephews of mine and I have over at least 46 nieces and nephews go in one way and come out a man. Had a few nieces also in the military. A wide range of specialties learned.
It is not for the faint of heart and especially during certain times like now.
We as a family appreciate every single soldier but also appreciate all the moms, dads, wives, husbands, children etc. that love these soldiers.
It seems we have a running prayer list with many of them and will add you and your family to it also rue.
Freedom is never Free.

Thank you Foofoo :clap::usa::hug:

 

[Amy Jeanne]

I wish you all the patience in the world during the time he's away and if you need to talk to someone that understands, I'm always here

Oh thanks so much. He left today -- He's been gone for an hour and I WANTED to cry because i felt I had to, but I just couldn't. I'm so happy for him and I couldn't be prouder. I know he'll be back and I know he's going to have a great time It's something he's always wanted to do! What's to be sad about??

 

[Amy Jeanne]

I do specialty work at Ft. Knox, Ky. and see many a Basic Trainee or AIT young man or woman who is away from home. I want you all to know how much we thank them and their families for what they do!---John

I'll take this personally and say you're welcome and THANK YOU, too. My husband is arriving at Ft. Knox on Wednesday. Maybe you'll run into him -- He's British!!

 

[rue]

Oh thanks so much. He left today -- He's been gone for an hour and I WANTED to cry because i felt I had to, but I just couldn't. I'm so happy for him and I couldn't be prouder. I know he'll be back and I know he's going to have a great time It's something he's always wanted to do! What's to be sad about??

You're welcome. I understand about the crying thing. When my son left this last time, he said "Are you going to cry?" and I said "Not until you leave". The funny thing is, it didn't hit me until about an hour after he left.

If this is what he's always wanted to do then that's wonderful and I'm so happy for him It'll all be okay

 

[kyboots]

I'll take this personally and say you're welcome and THANK YOU, too. My husband is arriving at Ft. Knox on Wednesday. Maybe you'll run into him -- He's British!!

Amy tell him to look me up. John