The Marines??

**Mom23boys** · 01-06-2007, 02:20 PM

My DS#1 signed up for the Marines. He gets sworn in Monday and leaves for San Deigo, CA. on the 22nd of January. I am a very nervous mom, but I am very proud of him for making this decision too. I just think the Marines are tough. I have heard so many stories about Marine boot camp that I am scared for him. I have a friend that was a Marine in Dessert Storm. He has told me the horrors of Marine boot camp. The Crucible is my biggest fear right now, but I know they prepare them well for this task.

I think this will be a life changing experience for him for the better. I know he will come back a different person; he will change from a teenage boy into a man. I am more nervous about the fact that there is a war still being fought in Iraq. I don't know how parents, wives, and husbands get through this process. I am very new to this and very worried about the whole thing, but like I said before, I am very proud of him. I will be his biggest supporter!!

He will be the first Marine in our family. We have army, navy and air force, but never a Marine in any generation of our family.

If you have any advice for a nervous mom, please post them. I will appreciate it.

**nuisance26** · 01-06-2007, 02:32 PM

~No advice, just

because I know this will be a big adjustment for both of you. My eldest brother joined the Marines during dessert storm. Never saw any action though. He was discharged, got married and had a kid. Then he signed up again when the Iraq war broke out. I am so incredibly proud of him and in awe of all the people who passionately wish to defend others. He never saw any action the second time around either and was eventually medically discharged. The boot camp is tough but it should be.

~

**JustJoy** · 01-06-2007, 02:58 PM

Hi Michelle....first of all...

from one military mom to another.

Yes it will be a life changing experience and he will come out of it a different person, and yes... for the better. I cannot begin to tell you all of the changes the Navy has made in my son's life in the past 3 years. As for boot camp.... it's tough, but your son will get thru it. I suggest that you write your son letters (the more the better) while he's in boot camp. They love hearing from home. Let him know how proud you are of him. Also send photos and if your son has a favorite sports team, etc...send him a newspaper article on them. If Marine boot camp is anything like Navy boot camp...you cannot send them any pkgs and no phone calls. My son was allowed to call home the last week of boot camp after Battle Stations.

Try and stay calm.... it's going to be just fine

**leezza** · 01-06-2007, 06:18 PM

Congradulations! And thank you for raising a son who is willing to serve this country we all call home.......

Remember this:

Those who wait also serve

Yes to the above write as much as possible.......if you can afford it go to his graduation from bootcamp.....it really is a big deal! And you will enjoy seeing him with his dress uniform on and getting to meet his buddies.

Warm Regards,
leezza

**baronmom** · 01-06-2007, 07:33 PM

We are in the same boat. My ds1 signed up in July, and because he is still in high school, he doesn't leave until June. I too was very nervous. I have already had to deal with a deployment because my dh was deployed for a year to Iraq. I can't even imagine having my son there. But, I am just going to put my fears aside and support him in his decision. It does not ease my fears by any means though. I will be a nervous wreck when he leaves.

**fernykins** · 01-06-2007, 07:34 PM

My youngest son is at the Naval Acadamy. He will be an officer in the Marines. Some of his friends joined the Marines right out of high school. They complained that boot camp was not hard. Marines are supose to have the hardest boot camp. If your son goes in with the attitude that he can do it. He can. Mt girl went Army and the whole time she was in Basic. They kept telling them that clinton was not The Pres anymore. I am very proud of my children 3 went active duty Army and in 2008 one will be active duty Marines. Its a great thing that these young people do.
Fern

**sunshine** · 01-06-2007, 10:30 PM

I'm a Marine mom --- my son is deployed right now and coming home next week! I'm heading to SC to meet him when he gets back.

Boot camp is tough, but. . . if he enters it with the right frame of mind, he'll be fine. My son knew they would yell at him, knew he'd not get much sleep, knew they'd play games with his mind . . . his recruiter did an excellent job of preparing him for the experience.

PM me if you have any specific questions or concerns. . . but basically boot camp is harder on you , than your Marine

Oh- and the crucible? By the time they reach that point-- they're ready for it. My son said it was hard, but not as bad as he'd been led to believe. The gas chamber was the worst--- mainly because several of the guys freaked out and they ALL had to keep repeating it until they managed to do it correctly.

**jamie79** · 01-06-2007, 11:12 PM

Tell him from an Army wife that I am proud of him. My nephew is a Marine.

**Mom23boys** · 01-06-2007, 11:13 PM

Thank you all for the replies. I am glad to know I can ask for support/advice from you all when I have a question concerning the military.

Sunshine, his recruiter has explained alot to him and has not left any of the hard things out. He did tell him about the gas chamber too. I am more worried about that one I think than any of them. I know I would never make through that. He also told him about swim qualifications and about having to wear all his gear while being pushed from a tower into the pool. He did prepare him so he wouldn't panic. He did say the gear would bring him back up to the top of the water.

He has a mind set right now that he can do this. He knows is it is more mental than physical. His recruiter plans to work out with him to prepare him for PT until he leaves for boot camp.

My step-brother called earlier and wanted to know if he wanted to switch to the Air Force because that is what branch he is serving in. I don't think DS#1 will, but I told him his uncle called and asked.

I was told I should write every day by the recruiter. He will not be able to call home and only send letters, no packages are allowed. DH, DS#2, DS#3, and I are all planning on attending family day and graduation, even if that means missing work and school to do so. We were discussing it earlier and we will begin saving toward the trip. We wouldn't miss it.

I am very proud, but very nervous. I guess I will always be that way until he is home for good.