Daughter wants to join

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Permalink Reply by Brenda on June 2, 2008 at 2:32pm

Hi Eva,
Just left my daughter a few hurs ago, she is on her way to boot camp,
it was emotional , she did not cry ntil her brother cried. I came home to find a letter from her . being a single mom it has been hard to let go of your baby-girl

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Permalink Reply by Leta (Daniels Mom) on May 19, 2008 at 11:43pm

HI, My daughter in law was in the Navy right out of high school. It was about 7 years ago. She was stationed in Hawaii her whole time. She met my son and they got married, lived off base in a lovely apartment, paid for by the Navy. She speaks very well of her experience. She said boot camp was hard at times but she did very well there, hope this helps. Leta

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Permalink Reply by tammy on May 21, 2008 at 2:35pm

may i ask what your daughter in law's job was? i'm trying to find someone in for medical to help my daughter who will also be going in after high school.

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Permalink Reply by Kathy Atkinson on June 2, 2008 at 3:39pm

Dear B,
My daughter went into the Navy at age 18, a year after HS graduation. She was a young one. She wanted to "accelerate' her life! She was at Great lakes, then Pensacola, Fla, and then sent to San Diego. Very nice, as we live near Sacramento, CA. She has grown up a lot. She was from a very small town and never experienced all the varried people she would encounter in boot camp or full duty. She was shocked at some of the girls, low values, street smart, gender idenity issues, smokers, drinkers and party time girls. She experienced sexual harassment, and felt depressed a lot of days. She grew up in a hurry. She trained herself to be one of the best workers in her shop. She let men know she did not play around and often times told them "there was a lady in the house' and to knock off the potty mouth. Having a car made a world of difference, and moving out of the barracks made a world of difference. She is completing her four years next week! She was also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Honor for outstanding performance. I think she got this for volunteering for every deployment and doing a great job of training others and always being on time and general good work.

It will not always be easy for your daughter. You will cry alot as you can not help her. You will pray alot for her. She has to meet all the challenges, grow and mature and become a good sailor. Talk to her about keeping and practicing her family values, keeping her faith and that she means the world to you and the family. Keep encouraging letters flowing while she is in boot camp. I never mentioned any problem in any letter and sent her funny stories of her pets or the community or family. She will thrive on the positive letters from home. She can make it in boot camp as most do. Being in the Navy will offer her many opportunities, travel, jobs, recreation and friends. She needs to find a friend with similar values and it can be fun. My best to you and your daughter.
Kathy Atkinson, Proud mom of 2 United States Sailors

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Permalink Reply by Brenda on June 3, 2008 at 12:58pm

kathy,
Today I read your letter again, sorry I haven't replied sooner , II just wanted to spend every chance I could with Jamie before she left. I heard from her this morning, she was boarding the plane, I now await her call she has arrived. your right i'm crying a lot missing her , walk into her room often.
I told her I believe in Her . and be strong. , That I will walk with Her and God s footprints are beside Her. and to make every challenge an accomplishment. never looking back. This is probally the hardest day I have had so far.

Your words of encouragment have been so helpfull, How proud you must be
God Bless you and your Sailors
B

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Permalink Reply by Kathy Atkinson on June 3, 2008 at 1:30pm

Brenda,
I remember the day I sent my daughter off. I still get teary eyed thinking about it and it was four years ago. There is nothing I can say to ease the pain. She went off to find adventure and meet a challenge. So it is not all bad. She will send "the box" home with her clothes and she will get a telephone call once she arrives. Then, at times she will earn a telephone call or they all get to go to the phone banks on base to make very short calls. Just think that she is at "camp". Look on line for "Great Lakes on Line" a newspaper that has some info. Just keep writing her motovational encouraging letters while in boot camp. There will be days that that is the only thing that keeps her going. Pretty soon she will graduate, you will be so proud and then the real work of being a Sailor begins. This is only the first step.

Have faith in your daughter's abilities and know she is busy, having some fun and some hard times and be proud. That does not help with your missing her, but keep busy, start a scrapbook, look on line for every Navy site, etc. What type of work does she want to go into?

My love goes out to you. I have been there-twice. Look up a Blue Star Mother group in your area. Real people help, although this site is really great. Also, save a little money, as at graduation there is a NEX (Navy store) and they have really good stuff. I myself am a NEX junkie! I love all the shirts, sweatshirts,mugs, and especially a dog tag with my daughter's picture. (it was rather pricey).
Hang in there.
Mom of 2 Sailors, Kathy Atkinson

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Permalink Reply by Kathy Atkinson on June 19, 2008 at 1:53am

I am on the other side now. My daughter received an honorable discharge from her 4 years in the Navy on June 8th. Where did 4 years go? She was home for a week and I met her at the airport with a little flag. We both cried! While home, I bought her a sewing machine as a getting out gift. She seems interested in sewing now. She wants to take the summer off and then hopefully return to college. Her husband has been out of the Marines for a year and got hired and is in a police academy. Financially they should be able to make it. They will remain in San Diego and I live near Sacramento. Only an 8 hr drive or a 1 hour flight. I can live with that. It will be interesting to watch Katie's development while out of the service. She was glad and sad to get out at the same time. My baby is a woman and now the world is hers. My son is still in the Navy and my step son is working to enter the Air Force. These kids keep us busy. For all the moms of daughters, they can do it and keep telling them, "You go girl." My love to all moms missing their daughters. I will stay with Navy for Moms for awhile and always with my Blue Star Mother's local chapter. My best to all
Kathy Atkinson - Proud mom of 2 Sailors

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