| Author | Message | ||
     2008xb12scg |
I sent my son off to the Airforce. Can't explain how I feel other than It's the first time I've shed tears in more years than I can remember. I'm not sure if I'm sad, proud or scarred. I guess all of the above. | ||
| Prof_stack |
Sending the son away for the first time is scary. You have to trust that he will be okay and will be fine without you. My only child recently left home for graduate school in another state. I have missed him more than I ever thought I would have. Our nest is empty. Perhaps you have more at home to make it easier. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I'm not sure if I'm sad, proud or scarred. I guess all of the above. I guess all of the above is correct! Especially the proud part!  | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
letters, pictures, and letters! I arrived at Navy basic 4 years ago this Halloween and I can't tell you how much it means to receive letters and pictures. Write about whatever boring mundane day-to-day crap you can think of - it will boost your son's morale a LOT! Pictures are very nice to receive too. Basic was the first time I had been away from home without knowing anyone around me. It's a very detached feeling, like everyone "back home" is forgetting about you, and living their lives without you. Pictures will make him feel like he's still a part of that life "back home". And if he's got any close female acquaintances  make sure they cover their letters in perfume before mailing. Your son will have to do some extra pushups when they arrive, but it's worth it! | ||
| F_skinner |
Good deal. This is the best time of year at Lackland. What Pkforbes87 said... Pics and letters are gold. Frank MSgt USAF Retired | ||
| Stalker |
Im proud of him and you! DAMN PROUD! and i dont even know you. Tell him THANK YOU for me! and thank you sir. jamie | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
Thanks for the kind words guys. Means alot. I didn't think it would be this hard for us at home waiting to hear from him.. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
On Aug 21st, it was 6 short years ago that my wife and I dropped our son off at the congregating hotel to begin his Navy career. I too cried and had so many emotions going through my brain I couldn't sort them out. Sadness, a bit of fear, pride, uncertainty and others. My wife was pretty much a basket case. He finished up 6 years as a sonar tech on a fast attack sub. He made it through just fine.. Today, Carl is a much better person. He has goals, purpose and passions (including Buells..). He is running marathons, working at UPS and attending school full time (hoping for a physics and engineering degree). He now has a passion for learning and education that was previously so sorely missing. Six years will mature most anybody but this is different. I cannot even begin to describe to you the pride you will feel when he graduates basic training. They have truly meaningful graduation ceremonys. I very strongly urge you to attend if you can. I'll also echo what Phillip said above, lots of email (after he's out of basic and starting his A school). Pictures and stuff really help. Be sure to thank your son for his service to this fine country. Brad | ||
| Kaiser |
Air Force is pretty good at taking care of our own. I've been in since 1994. I'm fulltime Air Guard right now. Send him mail, it will make his time go faster. - David | ||
| Slaughter |
Thank your son for his willingness to serve us all - and thank YOU for your support of your Son! | ||
| Medicbro |
Congrats, Dad. Be proud of your son for joining the best damn service there is. He'll probably get to call home in around 2 weeks to give you his address. Medicbro SSgt, USAF Medic | ||
| Cyclone8u |
Congrats to you and your son! You will both be the better off for it, trust me. My son graduated from Parris Island in May, and let me tell you - if you think you've shed tears now, just wait until you see the man that comes back from basic training. You will be the proudest father in the world, next to me of course!! If you have to beg, borrow or steal to get to his graduation - do it. It will mean the world to him, and be a life changing event for you. Here's a link to my trip to graduation. Parris Island trip and if you do the trip on 2 wheels, make sure to post a ride report!! Tell your son that I thank him for his service. | ||
| Itstaboo2 |
Make plans to go to the graduation. My son Graduated on my b-day April 10 and it was one of the greatest days of both of our lives. The ceremony is second to none. Your son will be really glad to see you and he may not get a chance to go home before going to tech school. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
Great pics cycle8u. I will be there at graduation. Not sure how yet, but it will happen. If they gave me more notice it would make it easier. They say 2 weeks before the graduation they let us know. But I won't miss this one! | ||
| Elsinore74 |
Just want to echo what others have said about writing/emailing him and especially attending graduation. Understandably, you and Mom will notice a difference in your son. Maybe not right away, but he'll see you differently, as well. (This from personal experience). Mark Twain once wrote: “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished by how much he'd learned in seven years.” I thank your son for his service. Larry MSgt, USAF Retired. | ||
| Imonabuss |
It is tough when you first see your children move on, but I'm sure you have raised your son well and he will do fine. Being in the military will change him, but in a good way. It is a step that needs to happen, and he will come back closer to you than ever for growing up. It's normal to feel this mixture of pride and concern; heck you love him. | ||
| Court |
Do not miss graduation. It will be one of the highlights of your sons life and one of your proudest moments. I recall the letters, pics and seeing my folks accross that parade deck and it's heartwarming to this day. There are plenty of us whod' be willing to write your son if you want. Congratulations and thank him for all of us. Court USMC - 1974-1980 | ||
| Stang37 |
Go. Anytime you can stand near a flag pole and watch good men and women write a blank check to the People of the United States, Do it. You will seldom ever feel that sort of patriotism and honest envy well up inside you by looking at the general public and you appreciate more the sacrifice securing this great nation requires. Our military service members are a different sort and not lost in the self absorption of this day and time, particularly this. We owe it to them to stop, reflect and pay respect. You and your son should be proud, your son answers a higher calling. Thank you for your service. 3rd Generation Aviator-USAF (Korea)-Army(Desert Shield/Storm)-USAF(GWOT) LONG LIVE BUELL! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Its 0430 and it comes quick so sleep fast. | ||
| Thesmaz |
I've made it 20 years so far and today's Air Force is a great place for any young man/woman to start. They grow in so many ways in such a short amount of time it is truly amazing! In my current position as base Career Advisor I see every new enlistee that comes to Aviano Air Base and know that they are being started off on the right foot to serve their country. If I don't get the pleasure of meeting your son pass along my thanks for stepping up and serving his country. Just think, he may one day be the Chief Master Sargent of the Air Force! | ||
| Nevrenuf |
give thanks from me to for his contribution to the safety of our country and let him know that we will support him if only in our thoughts and prayers. but definitely send letters and make it to graduation. as far as boot camp goes, he'll hate it at some point but as time goes by he'll realize it really wasn't so bad hopefully. god bless. | ||
| Itstaboo2 |
Yes by all means, letters, not so much pictures unless on the paper you send with the letter. No big cards, do not send any reading material other than religious reading or letters. The pics will more than likely hit the can, there is little space for storage and he may get dinged on an inspection having pics. By all means, don't send newspapers or clippings. DAMHIK. The graduation starts with an Airman's run on Thursday, you and his mom will cry like everyone else did when you see your son. Later that afternoon, there will be a coin presentation from their T.I., another heart warming teary eyed experience. Friday it is City Pass, he will be in his Dress Blues for an outing in San Antonio. Our son loved the nap in our hotel room that afternoon. Saturday will be the graduation on the parade grounds, get there early! You can park at the BMT center and ride a bus or park and walk a ways to the grounds. Sunday you can go to the chapel service with him, this was the best IMHO. The emotions were the strongest there, please plan to attend. Congrats, Your son is becoming an Airman, in the largest Air Force in the world. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
Thank you guys for the kind words. It really does mean alot. I am very proud of him, and it really has little to do with him joining the Air Force. That's hust one more thing to make the old man proud. And he'll be able to out shoot me when he gets back, darnit! Actually I'm a pretty bad shot so I hope to heck he can. |
