<p>Well, my plebe candidate reports tomorrow for Indoc,,, so the journey begins. He's 50% excited, 25% angry that he doesn't get to enjoy all the summer fun that his high school class mates get to enjoy and 25% terified. Meanwhile his mother is a basket case. So let's get this show on the road!</p>
<p>He’ll be in good hands Mom. Try not to worry. As for being angry about missing all the summer fun, I’m afraid he is going to have to get used to it. At Christmas he will be heading back to KP looooong before his friends at “regular college.” But, he will have already experienced more then they and after he gets back from sea year there will be no comparison between the things he will have done and their frat parties.</p>
<p>My son just finished and has his first job and will make twice what his friend who went to the fun schools. It is worth the effort, from a thankful dad.</p>
<p>I want to second what KPMarineopsdad has posted. We just got our first Skype from our son in Turkey! This is his first sea year and he is in love with everything about it! His friends are cheering him on from afar and I can tell they are fairly envious of his opportunity! He will sail through the Mediterranean, the Straights of Gibraltar, to Galveston, TX, back to Africa and, possibly, to Singapore shortly afteraward. He gets port time that lasts for 3-5 days every stop and began by exploring Israel! And along with all these great adventures, he gets paid for work that he finds interesting and fulfilling! All before he has turned 21 years of age! The temporary pain payment is by far worth the experiences yet to come in the future!</p>
<p>I was there at Indoc today and saw the anguish on PCs faces = normal and healthy. It’s a part of the process. The worst part is the anxiety leading up to entering O’Hara IMHO.
For the parents, the worst part is the lack of communication - but that’s a great exercise in preparing us for shipping out - when it is worse. At least during INdoc, I knew where he was… </p>
<p>But…the campus is looking great and this group of kids looked great going in - strong, sound and ready to start the experience of a lifetime. It’s all good.</p>
<p>“Snap - Pop” Class 2014!
Welcome Aboard!</p>
<p>My DS just graduated, I am kinda in withdrawal. I will definately be looking through all the pictures over the next couple of weeks wondering where the time went. Xbulldog, sent you a PM.</p>
<p>I’ve said it before but it bears repeating…In most offices the college intern is not allowed to run the copying machine without adult supervision. These midshipmen will be given responsibilities far beyond their tender years. It will be years possibly even decades before their peers come anywhere close to what they are experiencing</p>
<p>My DS is mid way through his second Sea Year. He has already been around the in his sea time. Crossed the equator like 4 times and hasn’t finished yet. A quick visit home has shown him that his friends are doing ok, some are taking summer school due to grades and he has some cash in his bank account. It really is a ride that can’t be beat. Moms and Dads hang in there. Participate through your local Parents association and cookiecafe! The picutres will come from INDOC and you will can each on for just a peak. When you go back for parents weekend, get your PC to take you around and relive some of the pain. I’ve met many graduates and they all say the same thing…They hated each day until they graduated… Then they fell back in love with KP on returning. One I met even went back to teach at KP. They all love it. Oh and a set back isn’t a bad thing! KP is such a wonderful place, they just want to stay longer! Good luck to all!</p>
<p>I have posted some.indoc photos from yesterday on the national parents site. You have to look on left side of page and there is a link. There will be more photos posted there later tonight.</p>
<p><a href=“Http://www.usmmanationalparentsassociation.info%5B/url%5D”>Http://www.usmmanationalparentsassociation.info</a></p>
<p>your kid in 2014 will be fine. I am halfway through KP and I know most of the DIs/OICs- they are in good hands. I was also a drill instructor last year and know how it works. it is challenging, however far from impossible. write your kids!</p>
<p>Thanks for the “write your kids” comment we have been doing just that, i’m sure he’ll dig it. Thanks for our thoughts.</p>