BoomerCPO Posted February 20, 2014 #1 Posted February 20, 2014 My youngest son Josh (age 18) left today and is headed for Navy Recruit Training in Great Lakes(Chicago). He enlisted for 5 years and is pegged to be a Hospital Corpsman. His 4 month A School will begin after he completes 2 months at Boot Camp. While I am surely proud of his decision to serve and take his 1st steps on the road of his own life it also saddens me because the road he is on now will take him further from me than he has ever been. Boomer....who sez God bless all those who serve in our Country's Armed Forces.
sanderjack Posted February 20, 2014 #2 Posted February 20, 2014 Congratulations on your son's decision. He is following your lead because you showed him how much fun and excitement you can have and get paid for it. Everyday I look at my son and know that he is outdoing all my achievements and successes. It is hard to let go but he is still in your heart.
etcswjoe Posted February 20, 2014 #4 Posted February 20, 2014 Join the Navy see the world, wishing him fair winds and following seas.
campfire12 Posted February 20, 2014 #5 Posted February 20, 2014 Tell him thanks for serving. The Navy will take him places and show him things most others just dream about. I know. The Navy was good to me.
BradT Posted February 20, 2014 #6 Posted February 20, 2014 Just like the old man. Congrats to you both.... Been a long time buddy... Brad
cowpuc Posted February 20, 2014 #8 Posted February 20, 2014 DITTO, on everything everyone else has said!! It is so hard watching them step off into their dreams,,,,, I can certainly relate... Ya cant help but be so stinkin proud of em but its still so hard... Boomer, your son will be in our prayers as he serves our great country!! Thank you for raising such a fine young man and thanks to both of you for your service!! Puc
Caveman Posted February 20, 2014 #9 Posted February 20, 2014 Congrats Boomer ya done good. Went through it when my oldest became a US Marine. On a side note; as a professional in the medical field, trauma nurse for twelve years now administrative, corpsmen are top notch! Not your run of the mill er techs. Thank You to your son for his sevice!
ACE50 Posted February 20, 2014 #10 Posted February 20, 2014 headed for Navy Recruit Training in Great Lakes(Chicago). In winter time! At least I got to go to San Diego in winter for basic. Loved it. The weather, not basic. It sucks.
Aussie Annie Posted February 20, 2014 #11 Posted February 20, 2014 Wishing Josh the very best for the future, deciding to serve in the military is never an easy decision.
kbran Posted February 20, 2014 #12 Posted February 20, 2014 Best wishes for Josh. I've met him several times and he is a good kid.
alwrmcusn Posted February 20, 2014 #13 Posted February 20, 2014 All the best to him and his choice. As an aside, I wanted to be a Hospital Corpsman when I enlisted in 1962. Ended up as a Radioman. I was disappointed at the time but it turned out for the best and I did 23 super years.
Mad Dog Posted February 20, 2014 #14 Posted February 20, 2014 Both of my sons went through Great Lakes. I know exactly how you feel, and yet I'll bet you couldn't be any more proud. Our oldest went through the nuclear electrician "A" school, then nuclear power school - both in Charleston, SC before going through the prototype program in Ballston Spa NY. He served 4 years on the Enterprise (insert joke here!), and is now a nuclear reactor operator at Yankee Nuclear in VT. Our middle son has just finished nuclear mechanic "A" school and is awaiting the start of his power school in Charleston. I was sad when they left, but just like your son they went in with a plan, and I think that makes a world of difference. Please pass on my thanks to your son for his service, and be sure to make plans to get to that graduation ceremony! Very cool... bring tissues!
Mike G in SC Posted February 20, 2014 #15 Posted February 20, 2014 My Dad went through Great Lakes,,,, um 1941. Went off to be a carrier pilot, flew Hellcats, shot at Mitzibushi's with big red dots. He later had to go back there when he got asthma. Met a cute blond nurse,,, proposed 2 weeks later. More to the story,,,, but a good place to start! Tell him we all say thanks!!
shmily Posted February 20, 2014 #16 Posted February 20, 2014 Sent my daughter off a couple of years ago. After doing that, I went home and apologized to my parents for not being very compassionate when I did it to them.
Howard B Posted February 20, 2014 #17 Posted February 20, 2014 I joined the navy before i graduated from high school to see the world. I learned later it would be the armpits of the world. I had a good time as an AD. That's a jet engine mechanic for all those not in the know. Do it over again? Air force maybe.
Squidley Posted February 21, 2014 #18 Posted February 21, 2014 He's a fine young man with a good old man. You should be very proud (I know you are) of him and his decision. He'll do just fine and it WILL make him a man. Were proud of you as well Chief, you did a fine job raising 2 great young men Bravo Zulu Brother
dacheedah Posted February 21, 2014 #19 Posted February 21, 2014 Our service men and women and first responders always in my prayers.
BoomerCPO Posted February 23, 2014 Author #20 Posted February 23, 2014 My sincere thanks to all who have posted on this thread. While it is difficult and I truly miss my son I know in my heart that he has spread his wings and flown from the nest to start his own life. I would expect no less from my sons than this. All of posts here have also given me great comfort as well. Life continues and this grizzled old Chief can tolerate and continue on as well. Boomer.....with thanks to all.
beltfed50 Posted February 23, 2014 #21 Posted February 23, 2014 As a retired Chief, you know there is great value in serving. Congratulations...and condolences!
buddy Posted February 23, 2014 #22 Posted February 23, 2014 Know how you feel as I went through it with my son when he went to the Marines in San Diego nerves yet very proud.. When you get to talk to him as it will be a while yet tell him Thank You and God Bless
b2dad Posted February 23, 2014 #23 Posted February 23, 2014 You did good Boomer! That's the point in being a parent...raise them right so they can spread their wings and become great adults too. You hate to see them go, but... and nothing better than the military. Don went to Great Lakes when he joined the Navy. I think he really liked it there but liked San Diego better. He was on an aircraft carrier. And as you all know, our youngest son joined the Air Force. Still serving and is now based in Las Vegas for a couple years. That's really a long way from us now, and its hard not getting to see him and the family as much as we used to. That's another plus to Facebook, Skype, etc...didn't have those wonderful sights when WE were young!! Tell your son we are so proud of him and his service and thank him!
dfitzbiz Posted March 18, 2014 #25 Posted March 18, 2014 I left sunny 60 deg. Pittsburgh on March 30, 1972 bound for Great Lakes. Arrive in 20 deg. Chicago and had a heck of a snowstorm that night. Got our gear and spent my first day in the Navy shoveling snow. I can still remember that first night in the old WW2 barracks at Camp Porter. Wondered what I had gotten myself into. I'm sure you advised your son not to volunteer for anything, a good rule to live by in the USN. Please tell your son Thank You for his service and Anchors Aweigh. Quarter Master Second Class D. Fitzgerald
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