No one in our family has heard from this son of ours in a very long time. Probably around the time I got the last nasty phone call around the 10/21 or 10/22. I have been very concerned, worried if this kid was alive or what. His brother gave me an oblique hint.
I risked this kid's wrath one more time. Hey, it is a free country. So, I called his recruiter and ask him if my son is still scheduled to go into boot camp. Keep in mind that I have helped the recruiters over the past year when he was acting like an a** towards them after he signed up.
The Sgt. sounded amazed and said, "You didn't know? He didn't tell you?" Tell me what. My son, Jacob, went into boot camp on 10/23. Recruiter says that he is doing well and is scheduled to graduate on 1/18.
Sgt starts giving me all the particulars on the "family day" and the graduation, etc. I didn't go into detail, but I told the recruiter that Jacob didn't want us there. Sgt says, "Oh yeah. Jacob requests that no one is told that he is gone. Guess what. He is ours now and I outrank him. Here is his address."
My son must have really ticked off his recruiters because I asked what the proper way to address the envelope would be. He said if I wanted to get him in trouble, I should address it to "General." First thing out of the guy's mouth. (Like the relationship isn't already strained enough.) He told me that it was a free country and that they wouldn't do anything if we showed up.
Well, I sent a card addressed to our RECRUIT (not general)telling him how proud his dad and I are of him and how we want to see him on his graduation day. I told him that if I don't hear from him soon, I will assume all is fine with him and we will see him then.
Boot camp is a hard thing and I feel that it's successful completion should be celebrated. I want to be supportive of my son and show him that I am proud of probably the hardest thing he has done thus far in his life. Yet, I don't want to intrude either. Any ideas/advice from seasoned parents/military folks.
Much appreciated.
Wow! You have to be proud on so many fronts, not the least being your son’s having the good sense to recognize that the USMC might help him (as well as his helping the USMC and USA). Those Drill Sargeants will shape him up. A team of wild horses couldn’t keep me away from the graduation.
I had to laugh at that
Prayers are still with you and your family.
Trust your heart. I can only say what I would do.
And thats go. If from there he still doesnt want to
see you, then it wont be on you. You did what you could.
God bless you and guide you.
Keep in touch.
You may just find a different man. I am praying so.
Yes go to his graduation even if he refuses to recognize you afterward, he will know in his heart of hearts that you were there. It will be something you will always remember and in the years to come, when he is a little older and more experienced in life he will remember as well, with great fondness.
Prayer up.
I would continue to attempt to reach him via mail and send him a big care package for Christmas.
Continue to ask to go to his graduation. Even if he has been an ass in the past there has go to be some part of him that will want you there. You just need to connect to that part.
God Bless and good luck.
Thank you for the update. Ive wondered a couple of times how things turned out. You must be very proud of him. Blessings to you and him. I dare say at this point if he doesnt call or write telling you stay away you have the ok to go. He may also have wanted to surprise you by just showing up unannounced in his uniform. Just my thoughts, my friend.
When my kids were about that age they had a rebellious streak about them. I generally made remarks like, “Funny how you know everything but you can’t seem to get you life together.”
My problem children had to learn things the hard way, but they turned out just fine.
Military training provides people a lot of options about discovering themselves the civilian life does not provide. I think earning responsibility has a lot to do with it.
They learn pride, respectability and sense of purpose.
I think you son will do well for himself.
btw. please update with pictures someday.
I am not all that sure that the Marines are or should be a drug rehabilitation program. Instead, you may want to pray for your son and encourage him to enter a rehab center and when he completes the program and remains clean, he can enter the Marines.
Almost 2 months now and they haven’t kicked him out. That’s good news. I’d go to his graduation prepared to greet a new son, or an old one you may have to give space to until he decides to come (figuratively) back to. The best to you.
Thanks for the update.