Navy Mom X's Two... missing my daughter

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rose R on April 25, 2008 at 6:00pm

Hi, Jeri. I am from Long island, New York. My youngest son has been in RTC since March 12. I am a first timer with this. My son is 24, and signed up for the Nuke program. He was not qualified for it, had some poor recruiters. He may be coming out. Are you caring for your grandchildren while your daughter is in boot camp? They must help somewhat because that is a busy age range. I have a son who lives in Oregon, is married to an Oregonian girl he met in college. So I am dealing with empty nest syndrome as well.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeri Ann on April 25, 2008 at 7:35pm

Hi Rose, thanks so much for your note! I wish your son the best. I can share with you that when my son went in, straight from high school (13 years ago), he didn't have the highest scores either to reach his goal (Navy Pilot); but he didn't give up his dream. He is first to admit that goofing off during high school came back to bite him!

The first part of BC was disappointing to him as yes, he had Recruiters painting stars for him too, but after that long gulp/swallow....he and w/the help of his training commanders turned things around. He went in initially to train as an aviation tech, and somewhere along the A-school training, the Navy told him about a program called BOOST... it was to further his education which in the Navy, so he then attended college to get a BS degree in Mech Engineering, and in the course of those years, he qualified for another program the Navy had, and went on to the Air Force academy in Dayton and got a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering, followed by piloting training... a long road, but one he was totally destined to travel. I credit someone in the Navy's leadership for guiding him down this path ... but the jest of his story is that he went in and right off the bat didn't qualify for what he wanted either, but found another path of education while in the Navy, starting with ROTC/Boost... etc to get to where he wanted to be. I just want to share that as encouragement for you all with your son.

Re, my daughter ... she is actually 28 years old and has made this decision to try and further her education too, hopefully in the medical field but she's open to any experience she can get. Yes, between the two sets of grandparents, the little ones are being seen after ... I dote on them for sure...

As a single mom, there was just no way minimum paying jobs could support her and the children... as a family we've all tried to help, but Angela needs also to find a career path that will help her to be able to care for them. I really hope she does well, but I support her trying to do so in any case.

Oregon and New York is quite some distance Rose! I do hope you will get to visit/travel soon. Are there any grandchildren yet? Wow, I hope you find some time for YOU too during the empty nest time, I can tell you that does get better. Happy to chat anytime, thanks again for your thoughtfulness!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rose R on April 25, 2008 at 8:26pm

I am hoping to visit my son in Oregon this summer. Last year my mom was ill with cancer, so he visited NY. Mom died Dece. 13, 2007. My dad died in Dece of 05 so things have been hectic. My son in RTC wants to try the Navy again in a few years, after getting some college courses. I don't get what he is thinking, but what else is new! No grandchildren, in spite of strong encouragement from both sets of grandparents. I have been busy trying to get the nest in order. I was in NY City for 10 months of 07 cause I was at my moms visiting the hospital, and I live 55 miles away. With 2 men home alone and tons of things I brought home after we closed mom"s apartment, I have lots of rearranging to do in the nest!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken Ray on May 24, 2008 at 12:19am

So I thought I'd do a search for my sister's boot camp division and ship to find out any information and what do I find?? My own mother has written a thoughtful post on N4M. You're a vet now mom, so hopefully it's a little easier for you this time around than it was when I was in Great Lakes. I know we both are very much looking forward to another trip to Chicago to see Ang graduate. There seems to be a lot of excitement on this website for the Pass in Review of June 6. I'm looking forward to the fun to be had in Chicago the weekend following. It's going to be a very happy time for everyone. I remember the wonderful feelings that I had 13 years ago when I first sighted you in the crowd during my graduation. It's awesome knowing that soon Ang will be having those exact same emotions. It will be a day she will remember very clearly for years to come.

I can probably answer a few people's questions on what your son or daughter can expect after boot camp, especially if they are going into aviation type ratings. I want to personally thank each and everyone of you for raising your son or daughter and allowing them to make such a selfless and important decision in enlisting in the United States Navy. It is certainly one of the best decisions I have ever made and the Navy has allowed me to achieve every goal I have ever set out for myself. Two nights ago I was officially welcomed to the fleet as a carrier Naval Aviator as I successfully qualified to land an E-2C Hawkeye at the ship at both day and night. This is the pinnacle of where I hoped to be and it all started with getting yelled at on day 1 of boot camp. Now I plan on keeping a watchful eye on my sister's path in the Navy and hope that one day she will too be able to say that she has accomplished all she ever dreamed to.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Rad Bryan's Mom! on May 24, 2008 at 12:37am

You sound like a great guy! Your mother is very lucky to have you as a son. I am very sure that your sister will find her true path in life. When is her PIR?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken Ray on May 25, 2008 at 3:22am

She will be graduating June 6. I am counting down the days. She should then be spending a few more weeks in Chicago before she knows where she'll be going for good. I am hoping she will be able to come to the Norfolk area. I'm crossing my fingers.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LynnDear on May 24, 2008 at 1:03am

Congratulations on your climb up that ladder. It is inspiring to see what the Navy can offer for those that work. Also, I like how you talk about your mom and how she talks about you.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken Ray on May 25, 2008 at 3:26am

Well, she is directly responsible for getting me to the point to which I made the decision to join. She certainly was not happy about the decision at first. I still remember her crying as she signed the parental release form to allow me to enlist at 17. I think it's safe to say that she thinks it was a good decision now!! I know she still worries though, especially when she knows I will be flying onto the ship, but there's nothing else I would rather be doing. She taught me honor, courage, and commitment before I ever really knew what they were.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa in Michigan on May 24, 2008 at 6:43am

Oh JeriAnn, what a wonderful post from your son. You must be so proud. Congratulations Ken on being welcomed to the fleet. Your job sounds so exciting. My son is in Texas. He is an Aviation Machinist Mate. Your engines are safe. :) Enjoy your sister's graduation. One question..The day of your PIR, how did you spot your mother in that crowd? :)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Molly the Snipe Mom on May 24, 2008 at 10:32am

that was touching.
Aweee Jeri Ann could you get any prouder of that young man of yours ? I just love that he was checking on his sister, and found his Mom.
You did good Momma......
Have a wonderful PIR.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken Ray on May 25, 2008 at 3:32am

He may have very well worked on my engines. I did a lot of my flying in Texas, both in Corpus Christi and in Kingsville. I don't have too many worries when it comes to my engines on my current aircraft. We have two of them, so chances are at least one of them will work 5.0. Now the electricians, there's another story. HaHa, I can say that. I was an aviation electronics technician.

Back when I was at Great Lakes, we actually saw our families twice. The night before PIR, we would have a family night where everyone would be in the drill hall much like PIR today. We would march in, and very quickly be dismissed to visit with our families for about an hour before we had to go back to our ship. I didn't see them that time until we had fallen out and my mom found me before I found her. The next day for PIR, they were sitting about 1 or 2 rows back from the front. We were outdoors for that PIR and it was easy to find them. That day is still very crystal clear in my mind, and probably always will be.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeri Ann on May 25, 2008 at 8:28am

All, thank you soooooo much for all the wonderful posts and comments of support. Isn't it great that in todays world we have a means to keep in contact and reach out to one another!

An son, once again you just keep making me as proud as any parent could possibly be. No wonder your little sister aspires to be like you! And I know your Dad must just beam from heaven for you too, we couldn't have imagined a kinder, thoughtful son, and did I say (handsome?) LOL

Denise you sound so much like our situation and Angela, my daughter is also slated for PIR June 6th, we'll be driving up from Huntsville Alabama along w/ her two children, my husband and her brother Ken is flying in too.

McNavy MOM.... I love that name, your son is bound to find his dreams, seems he has that inborn ambition. Mary and Dianne, your words give me so much hope, thank you thankyou ...

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend. My sister and brother - in - law are just in for a few days, so we're having a great one! Take care and God Bless -- Jeri

▶ Reply to This

• 1
• 2