I know parents are waiting anxiously for that first letter. We have just received our first letter from our Basic (Tuesday am). The letter was mailed yesterday and delivered today. We live in Colorado, so mail delivery will be quicker to us -- but hopefully everyone will receive that first letter soon. Our Basic sounds very good -- very upbeat -- combined with webguy photos, my husband and I believe things are off to a good start!
First letter received from our Basic
- Thread starter dohdean
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Christcorp
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If you haven't already done it; INCLUDE a Stamped and addressed post card with EVERY LETTER you send your son/daughter at basic. It is much easier for them to fill out a post card that's ready to go and drop it off in the mail when they come around to collect it. They will feel MANY EVENINGS that they simply DON'T WANT or are TOO TIRED to "Write a Letter". We usually received about 2-3 post cards a week. We only received about 3-4 letters total. Your son/daughter do miss you and they WANT to write; BUT "The spirit is willing but the flesh is like: "GOD I JUST WANT TO SLEEP AND WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE". In all seriousness; they are fine. They are just overwhelmed and busy 24/7. Make their lives easier and include self addressed AND STAMPED post cards so they don't have to do any work other than to write a simple but meaningful note. later... mike....
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Return Letters Ideas
Mike--another great idea to help our Basics best manage their time. Another one that I picked up from the Parent's blogs on WebGuy is to send a letter in the form of a questionnaire with fill in the blanks and/or multiple choice responses--sort of a survey to solicit answers to questions that are on every parent's mind. Have not received our first letter yet, but I used this tactical strategy today in letter #6 to him hoping it will ease his burden of letter writing.
Candidate (now Basic Cadet) Dad
Mike--another great idea to help our Basics best manage their time. Another one that I picked up from the Parent's blogs on WebGuy is to send a letter in the form of a questionnaire with fill in the blanks and/or multiple choice responses--sort of a survey to solicit answers to questions that are on every parent's mind. Have not received our first letter yet, but I used this tactical strategy today in letter #6 to him hoping it will ease his burden of letter writing.
Candidate (now Basic Cadet) Dad
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got our first letter....kind of wish we hadn't. While there were glimpse's of the s we know and love, and the fact he is able to find humor in every day, it was mostly--this place is "awful" and "I don't know how anyone can prepare themselves for this kind of experience. He did go in with his eyes wide open. He has a friend who went through it last year, and absolutely did not take the decision lightly. He said that he is not yet at the point where he wants to out-process, but that he is definitely having second thoughts and questioning his decision---leaving is always on his mind. He is not homesick, just wondering if the military is right for him. Our hope is that every day gets a bit better as opposed to worse. Doolie's day out can't come soon enough
Mdanderson~ Next letter should be better. Just keep yours upbeat.
When my parents got the same kind of phone call, my dad told my brother that before he could resign, he had to write his plan of action, which school he would transfer to, what his goals were, etc., mail it home, and then give my dad the name of the coach my dad should contact. Plan of action never made it home but it forced my brother to think it through and gave him a place to vent. Our parents always told us that home was where we could vent because their love was unconditional.
Hang in there!
The roller coaster ride has just begun...............
When my parents got the same kind of phone call, my dad told my brother that before he could resign, he had to write his plan of action, which school he would transfer to, what his goals were, etc., mail it home, and then give my dad the name of the coach my dad should contact. Plan of action never made it home but it forced my brother to think it through and gave him a place to vent. Our parents always told us that home was where we could vent because their love was unconditional.
Hang in there!
The roller coaster ride has just begun...............
raimius
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Mdanderson, that is a natural reaction. No matter how many times you watch the movies and whatnot, basic is very different when it's you in the boots. The first bit of BCT is pretty rough on everyone. Civilians come in knowing nothing about the military, and we have to cram copious amounts of information into their minds. The phrase "drinking from a firehose" is VERY applicable.
Some flights really stress thinking about whether the military is a good fit. Mine does...If he is in Aggressors C, the pause/2nd thoughts bit is intentional. We want the basics to understand the responsibilities they may be forced to take on as officers.
Some flights really stress thinking about whether the military is a good fit. Mine does...If he is in Aggressors C, the pause/2nd thoughts bit is intentional. We want the basics to understand the responsibilities they may be forced to take on as officers.
Christcorp
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Yes, as others have said, the letter is normal. I and others have TRIED to prepare some of the applicants here with HOW TO WRITE A LETTER HOME. But of course they forget a lot once they get there. 4.0 gpa students become ********. Your day becomes a blur. Time is measured one meal to the next. There is NOTHING that can totally prepare you for the academy. That's why there was some cynical remarks about the applicant who wants to be the first man to Mars. Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, etc... will NOT prepare you. Matter of fact, you're probably better off psychologically if you didn't go in with any pre-conceived opinions.
Having said all that; you basic cadet will change moods hourly. Not even daily; but hourly. Unfortunately, you are the ONLY thing they have that they can call NORMAL. And unfortunately, they are venting to you. The best advice I can give to you is this:
LISTEN to what your child writes, but DO NOT put a lot of weight into the actual words. Look past the feelings you THINK you read into the letter. Give the following advice to your son/daughter. Tell them that there are 1347+/- other basics there that feel EXACTLY the same as s/he does. Let me say that again. Tell them that EVERYONE else there feels EXACTLY the same that s/he does. Tell them to not be afraid to talk it out with their room mate or others in his flight. They too will feel better knowing that they TOO aren't the only ones feeling this way.
If you want to let him know; my son (Who is class of 2012) is a big and tough football player in high school. Grew up as a military brat. Knew as much about what he was getting into than anyone could. His ALO was also my commanding officer. There was nothing hidden. He knew everything that could be known. He was uber popular in high school. Super athlete. Super 4.0 gpa in IB. Star football player who dated the head cheerleader, etc... He was the most confident applicant to walk into the academy. And he had a really rough time the first few days. Go figure. And so did a lot of others.
Most of this is to help put your mind at ease. But basically, let him know that every single person in that place is feeling exactly the same as him. Hope this helps. Mike.....
Having said all that; you basic cadet will change moods hourly. Not even daily; but hourly. Unfortunately, you are the ONLY thing they have that they can call NORMAL. And unfortunately, they are venting to you. The best advice I can give to you is this:
LISTEN to what your child writes, but DO NOT put a lot of weight into the actual words. Look past the feelings you THINK you read into the letter. Give the following advice to your son/daughter. Tell them that there are 1347+/- other basics there that feel EXACTLY the same as s/he does. Let me say that again. Tell them that EVERYONE else there feels EXACTLY the same that s/he does. Tell them to not be afraid to talk it out with their room mate or others in his flight. They too will feel better knowing that they TOO aren't the only ones feeling this way.
If you want to let him know; my son (Who is class of 2012) is a big and tough football player in high school. Grew up as a military brat. Knew as much about what he was getting into than anyone could. His ALO was also my commanding officer. There was nothing hidden. He knew everything that could be known. He was uber popular in high school. Super athlete. Super 4.0 gpa in IB. Star football player who dated the head cheerleader, etc... He was the most confident applicant to walk into the academy. And he had a really rough time the first few days. Go figure. And so did a lot of others.
Most of this is to help put your mind at ease. But basically, let him know that every single person in that place is feeling exactly the same as him. Hope this helps. Mike.....
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