<p>I remember last summer at this time we were somewhat conflicted. We were anxious to see our son, but knew the visit would be much too short. We were exceedingly proud of his accomplishments, but wanted to leave him latitude to come home if that's what he wanted. It is always tough to see your child, your young adult, do something difficult, and it is hard to be supportive without being pushy, and proud without wearing their accomplishments yourself. </p>
<p>We tend to only talk about the positives, but there may be some tough times ahead. Remember that whatever happens, there are others who have gone through the same thing and survived. Really! </p>
<p>Oh, and now on a lighter note, I'm not sure if y'all know that they can have instruments in their rooms (at least at USNA) during Plebe year. That's one way to have music! Ours wouldn't have survived (figuratively!) had he not had his guitar. It also helped him make new friends and he came home knowing many more songs. His dad and I gate checked his guitar all the way across country and it was fine.</p>
<p>So have fun, hear lots of funny stories (and remember them so you can report back later!) and enjoy your young person! Each and every one is very, very special!</p>
<p>First a little background
Son receives appoinment to USAFA Class of 2008. Two days before reporting he rides his mountain bike (graduation present) off a cliff somewhere in CO.
Bike is bent, Son is bruised, cut, and really sore, but not broken. Son reports to USAFA on induction day 2004, receives many odd looks because of visible bruises, cuts bandages etc... but is allowed to inprocess. Four days pass. Basics have preliminary PFT. During long jump son injures knee,spends the next week going back and forth to the Doctor. After X-rays and MRI it is determined he cant proceed with BCT. Son Outprocesses, receives medical turnback status and comes home.
Son spends the next two months soul searching and decides he will return to USAFA. Son has a wonderful ten months living at home and being a kid for the first time in three years.
Son reports for inprocessing June 30 2005 ,Parents receive several letters with no mention of serious injury. August 4 2005 Basic almost over Son is still there (and seems to be enjoying himself).</p>
<p>Wow! I'm sure he would have rather just been able to stay in last year, but what a cool way to have a long vacation before the years of stress and strain. And sounds like a happy ending, since he's making it through. </p>
<p>I guess that's a cautionary tale for those who make it in the future, keep yourself safe when you run out of time to heal. Daughter will be reporting Summer of 2007 if all goes well, and she's already talking about laying off some of the track and Taekwondo that spring. To far away to plan, but we'll keep it in mind.</p>
<p>I was nervous the last three months of my son's high school career this past Spring - he was playing Varsity Lacrosse. And his team went to the State finals - so he didn't actually stop playing until about June 14th. I was happy they kept winning and got so deep - but every game had the potential to keep him from going to West Point if he got injured. Then, after the final game (they lost in the final) - he went out to play pick up lacrosse and ice hockey games - I'd say his name as he was walking out the door with his lax or hockey stick- and he'd interrupt what I was about to say and tell me - "Don't worry, Dad, I'm not going to break anything". Now that BCT is so close to the end I can finally take a breath again. [N.B.: he broke an arm, a wrist and his collarbone twice during his high school athletic career]</p>
<p>Wow! What a difficult way to get a gap year! I suppose there was a huge amount of soul-searching during that time, but it seems to have strengthened his resolve! It must have been very hard coming home early last year.</p>
<p>Ours was surfing at "Bone Crusher Beach" in Hawaii two weeks before I-Day, wiped out, hit a reef, and had a great gash that was still scabbed when he reported. He was digging bits of coral, sand and shell out for weeks!</p>
<p>I have to comment on this because I too was a victim of the seperation monster. Parents, I know the maternal/paternal instinct wants to protect your kid, etc. etc. But...and it took getting seperated from USMA for me to figure this out. Whatever is meant to be (whether you want to attribute it to some higher power or not) is what's going to happen. There are some things in life that happen, for apparently no reason feasible to you now, but later on, you'll look back and say, man, that made me a stronger person. There is a reason things happen. So let your kids be kids in the weeks before they head off...whatever is meant to be will happen anyway.</p>
<p>You have impressed me over and over again this summer with your maturity. Your attitude after the disappointing experience with the "separation monster" shows what a loss the Army has had.</p>
<p>While I was still in my squad, we had a mother call our TAC officer 4 times to make sure that her son had enough underwear. Apparently after getting his laundry back that first time a couple pairs were missing and he told her so on the phone. She mustve felt that umbilical cord pull and thought the appropriate thing to do would be to call someone who would know. Bad idea. We all got pulled out in the hall, and told that from now on, the NC would be washing his underwear in his sink, and that he would be taken to the c-store to buy some more. He was mortified.</p>
<p>Any thoughts...hmm just about a million! Feelings of pride, admiration, envy, concern, worry, hope and trust...our kids are about to conclude one phase of their military career and begin another...as most in the know would say, "it's only just begun..."
Some describe the summer training as the toughest part of the academy experience...others have said kids look back on the summer and say that was the best part of my year...
Don't kid yourselves the academic year is tough too...very much so...with all the calculus, chemistry, engineering courses etc. that our cadets/mids our going to be taking, along with their ongoing pft, squaring meals and general harassment by the cadre.
That all having been said, we can take pride in what has been accomplished so far...to quote a coast guard swab's journal from the Eagle, "at what other school would a college student, like myself, be able to experience days like this? This has been and will be a lifetime experience. "</p>
<p>CONGRADULATIONS - to all the parents who made it through their first summer of training. Next year will go much quicker. YOU GUYS ARE IN FOR AN INCREDIBLE YEAR. My son is having his "Advancement" (promotion to corporal)at Camp Buckner tonight. I will be going up to WP for the A- day parade. (make sure the dads have tissue also). See you all there. </p>
<p>**** I would like to take this opportunity to appologize to a few of the parents, particularly USNA09mom and Bill0510. My posts were way out of line and I hope you forgive me. ****</p>
<p>As you can see, I'm glad to be back! :) Cadet0509, can you come live at my house? Its too quiet here. I'll bubble wrap you and feed you. Promise. Jamz won't mind. Except his room is all nautical & stuff and I really can't put up any go army beat navy junk either. Other than that, you'd like it here... darryljenk - I'm in awe of your kid. What dedication! Cobia - we expect pictures of the Corporal! Its all about the bling bling for me. I wanna see it! My son sent photos of himself in uniform (I swear he took them OF himself) and said, Look Mom, I did the creases myself. Yea right... I'm still not a believer that he can use an iron. I spent four years of NJROTC trying to teach him. I can't wait till september for parent's weekend to see if there is indeed an iron near my son's room. As far as the summer training goes, USMMA is over and classes have begun. The Chemistry is a killer I'm told. My kid sounds like an adult now.... How the heck did that happen? If I had one thing to add here, I'd say Boss quoted it well for all the academies. (Even tho its Coastie) ;) "This has been and will be a lifetime experience".</p>
<p>I will have pictures of the "Illumination" dance from Camp Buckner in a couple of days. I would like to post a few if someone could tell me how. This was his first time wearing his Indian Whites. </p>
<p>My son is looking foward to meeting his plebe next week. We reminded him that the person in charge of him last year bought him a pizza.</p>
<p>Here is a link for the WP class of 2008 summer training at Camp Buckner. Looks just like any camp in upstate NY - except there are no fat kids and everyone carries a weapon. My son is on page 1, row 11, 4th picture from the left, he is the cadet on the left. </p>
<p>HA! HA! In the first pix, I see smoke in the background. Wonder whats on the Barbie. A nice filet (medium rare of course) or maybe some BBQ chicken? How do you come up with this stuff!? HA! Its priceless. The newly engaged couple is now registered at the local Army Navy Surplus Store. They've requested a lovely new set of mess gear with matching cammie place mats.</p>
<p>momoftwins - It is a formal dance held at Camp Buckner signifying the end of CFT for the rising yuks. This is strictly a girl friend or boy friend of the cadets type of event. They wear their Indian White uniforms (the white uniforms you saw on R-day). I believe they held the dance in one of the "rec" halls or messhall on the lake. My son said it was a bit warm, but that they had a great time.</p>
