Cal Blacksmith Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Title edited to reduce heart failures and such but it sure feels that way. No he is not dead but it sure feels like it. Just a week ago, we packed him up and he is now in Navy boot camp in Great Lakes Il. It has been a week since we have talked to him and it will be at least two more, unless they get an unexpected chance to call on Christmas. My head KNOWS it was the best thing for him but my heart says otherwise! I setup a website for him to help pass the time. It is the first website I have ever setup so it may not be as professional as here but it is my best effort to date. Just Saturday we received his street clothes in a box. The only thing that he was able to keep from what he packed to go (there wasn't much of it either!) was his shaving kit and toothbrush. The TSA made him throw out the shaving cream and toothpaste before he could get on the plane to Chicago. I think this airline anti-terrorist thing is a little out of hand! Ah well, just venting. I know some of you have children in the service and can relate. It sure didn't seem so bad when I did my turn 33 years ago with the Army but my folks said yep it was! The site is http://WWW.adaminthenavy.com not much there I guess but it made me feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Don't scare me like that! My heart rate doubled when I read the thread title. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 That subject head is a bit drastic, best of luck to your son, but he is still alive and god willing you will see him again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Best of luck to Adam !! Saw the website. Good looking young man and a fine family. I do gotta wonder though, who the ugly mug is on the left with the bush? [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 God's speed to your son............... Just yesterday, My daughter handed me an Old photo from 1972............with my parents, when I went into service................ Nice web site also. Take Care.................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted December 22, 2008 Author Share Posted December 22, 2008 Best of luck to Adam !! Saw the website. Good looking young man and a fine family. I do gotta wonder though, who the ugly mug is on the left with the bush? You mean the one that can't hear as well as he shaves? [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Went through Great Lakes in 1959, company 313. The first three days is quite an adjustment. Merry Christmas. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyboy Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Ya............................ boot camp............................ good times! [bs] I'm sure he'lll be able to call on xmas. When I went through in 02 (A.F), we had to earn the privilege of calling home. If you jacked up at all during the week, NO CALL for you on Sunday! It was sort of "prisonish". We saved up our minutes we had earned, and sold them to the not so fortunate. And, of course with supply and demand in full effect, it was about 100 bucks for 15 mins of time! Of course, I NEVER did such a thing....................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyboy Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 By the way, coming from an active duty guy, thank you to your son, as well as your family for his service! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted December 22, 2008 Moderators Share Posted December 22, 2008 Nice site you made, also fine looking group, it's hard to let him leave but you have to be proud it's not an easy choice. Thanks Adam for your service ! [*] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsear Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 I've got one in the Navy now and another set for next August. Both will have gone through the Great Lakes training center. Son #1 is on a super carrier. It is a fine legacy they follow and a wonderful way for young men to flesh out and learn their limits. They go in on unsteady legs and come out marching strong and confident. There are many ways for men to enter into adulthood. I have one in prison, one in college and these 2 in the Navy. Congratulations and stand proud with your son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchester21 Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 I think a THANKS to your son is in order as I sit in my warm safe house as I enjoy living in a free country. If you can't thank our soldiers or a vet- go live somewhere else. Your son will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkside Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 I agree. Cal, my thanks goes out to you and your son for your service to our great country! And best of luck to him for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Will be thinking about your family, but dang CAL,who's that guy standing nect to your son...geeze man, don'yt you think you shoulf watch out for that shady charictor? ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 BTW CAl, You're lookin' good too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Thank him for his service to our country! M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 Thanks everyone, yep it was harder on me than I think it was on him! He was egar to go, ready to take on a new life that is quite different than the last several years. The first several weeks were the worst for me when I went through Army basic in '75. After the inital shock of actually getting physically active things got better and by half way, it was much easier going but those first few weeks sure were tough! I don't seem to remember much about phone calls home but I think we were only allowed to call on Sunday. We did not need to earn minutes but the line at the pay phone was a long one and you were under pressure to hurry up from everyone in line. I don't know what Navy basic is like but once you look past the pain and the yelling, I do have some fond memories of basic. As Adam would say.... Good TIMES! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrinkles Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Cal, I say Congratulations to you for not talking him out of joining. The military needs good people. It amazes me the number of parents who feel the military is not for their sons or daughters when they have not served or know very little of the military experience. Had I not served, I'm not sure which side of the fence I would be on with the US and world politics as it is today. My son joined the US Navy in 03 March of this year and went to Great Lakes bootcamp. So, I thought I would inform you of some things based on my son's experience. His only day to write letters will be on Sunday, if they are not too busy. Once the bootcamp gets rolling, you could receive a letter every Thursday or Friday. Phone calls, when allowed, occurred maybe 4 times. It will vary, dependent on schedules and how well his company is doing with their training. He will buy phone cards at the Navy exchange or NEX as they call it. About a month into bootcamp you will receive a letter stating that his orders after bootcamp may not allow time for him to take leave before going to his A School. That is what happenned with my son. He got home for the first time since bootcamp Friday night. It has been a long 9 months, especially for his Mom. What made the time away bearable for our family was his cellphone. We probably talked 2-3 hours every weekend while he was in A School. He is between schools now and has a year of school to go, so it may not be until next Christmas before we see him again. I wish your son the best. Please thank him for me. I hope the Navy gives him time to call home this Christmas during his breaks from shoveling snow. I know it will mean the world to you and your family. And thankyou for serving as well. Also, be sure to tell your son that during the last few days of bootcamp when your son will have liberty, that he must follow the rules precisely. My son told me of two sailors that violated the no smoking rules. One was set back 2 weeks for lighting up. The other sailor was set back to the beginning of bootcamp for bringing a pack of smokes back to the base. I guess the company commanders felt they had to instill their military might on these guys one last time. I bet they learned a lesson that day. Have a Merry Christmas. Wrinkles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 Wrinkles; Thanks so much for a rough idea of what is in store. I knew that Sunday would be the only letter writing day and I don't think there will be any chance of him comming home before A school (avionics tech), his start date for basic was based on when the A school started so I can't see any break in time for him to come home and we are prepared for that. I will send him his cell phone when he gets to A school if he is allowed to have it, I don't need it and we are paying for it anyway and there is 1000 minutes to share between our 3 phones. The wife uses MABEY 10 minutes a month and I am under 100 so that leaves 900 for him to call home on...... and his friends. The free nights and weekends, long distance and roaming will help a lot also. Thank your son for us espically now that he is home for the holidays, give him a big hug! Thanks to you also, us vets need to stick together, we share some things that only can be experenced in the millitary. No matter what branch a person serves with, they are better people for having done so. As to talking him out of it, I was actually the one who nudged him into it. He was drifting around with little aim or goals. He got into a situation with traffic ticketts and fines where it looked hopeless to him and I told him that if he went in the millitary, I would fix the problem (the bail and fines due were quite sizeable and he had no source of income to pay them with) I know the millitary made me grow up and I am so much the better for it. I do beleave that it will do the same for Adam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigStewMan Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Also, be sure to tell your son that during the last few days of bootcamp when your son will have liberty, that he must follow the rules precisely. My son told me of two sailors that violated the no smoking rules. One was set back 2 weeks for lighting up. The other sailor was set back to the beginning of bootcamp for bringing a pack of smokes back to the base. I guess the company commanders felt they had to instill their military might on these guys one last time. I bet they learned a lesson that day. Man does that bring back memories! Although it has been 30 years (I guess I'm getting old after all), I went to Coast Guard boot camp in 1978. I remember on graduation morning, being asked "do you have anyone coming to see you graduate?" After answering yes, I was told "Use the phone in my office to tell them not to bother showing up." Due to some pre-graduation festivities the night before, in which I was NOT a participant BUT it was my idea, I was not allowed to graduate with my class and was reverted to a junior company. And in the typical military fashion, they made me guard an area that was "off-limits" to visitors; but, where all the luggage for the graduates would be picked up after the ceremony. That way I had to watch all of my friends pick up their luggage and go. Quite the sucky day; but, I laugh about it now--all part of the growing up experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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