Meloncoly Blues

@Fencersmom...hahahaha...coal....hahaha :lolatyou:

Wow, sure glad my son's girl lives 2 miles from our house. Otherwise we might never see him cuz he'd be hanging out with friends. He already went to a shipmate's house for spring break, even with the girlfriend here... But I have to admit, I'm glad he's beginning to make those lifelong friendships you hear so much about at the SAs!

BTW, I'm loving all the posts and stories about these amazing young men and women and their awesome parents!!!
 
fencersmother said:
My Firstie son told me he might not come home for Christmas this year because he has a girl friend who lives 1000 miles (from here) and he wants to see her. She's also a cadet (and he can see her EVERY DAY!

I told him he can go to HER house all he wants after they're married.

Santa Claus is putting in an order for coal.
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fencersmother- ouch! I know it is petty and childish, but my suggestion would be to go ALL OUT for Christmas. Make sure that everything is beautiful, delicious and uber-special. As it gets closer to Christmas Break, make sure those pictures of the house, the tree, the decor are posted on facebook. Oh, and make sure you send him the box of his favorite Christmas cookies before finals. "Since you won't be here this year, just wanted you to have your favorites!" :biggrin: When he calls Christmas morning, the house will be full of people passing the [insert traditional breakfast food here]. Laughter, coffee brewing, presents unwrapping. "Oh, honey, where should I send your gifts from Santa? Guess they'll be late this year."

I know, I know... very very childish...:thumb:
 
I'm listening to every word here because it looks like my day is coming. My daughter (a rising high school junior) is at AIM this week. Very proud that she was selected a year early and that the CGA softball coach is very interested in her for the incoming 2013 class. But I got my first taste of what you all are talking about when I put her on the plane from Orlando to Hartford last Sunday. I'm an Air Force vet, so I have an idea of what she can expect and we had laughed and joked about that. She's a strong young lady and perfectly capable, so in my heart of hearts, I am completely convinced that she will do and be just fine. However, there's something I learned about the reversal of roles between kids and parents over time. I talked the airline into giving me a gate pass so I could wait with her in the final moments before she boarded her plane. As usual, we were cutting up and enjoying our time together. I, too, was bound and determined not to be that clingy, weepy mom. Then it was time for her to get in line to board. I stood off a ways and watched her get closer and closer to the woman who would scan her ticket and waive her onboard. With that smile still plastered on my face, all I could think is, "Will she turn and look back at me one more time?" And then I had a vision of her four years old when she would ride the carousel at the mall and every time she came around for another revolution, she was looking for ME to make sure I was watching HER. Now all I wanted was for HER to look at ME ... one more time. Then in a moment I will never forget, she looked back and smiled and waved ... not once, but twice. I told her to go up there and knock their socks off and something tells me that's exactly what she's doing. I'm very proud and that's what will get me through the separations to come. It's what we raised her to be. It's what we hoped she'd be. Strong. Independent. Capable. Successful. Financially Secure. What have I got to cry about? But I will!!!!!
 
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When did AIM begin allowing rising juniors to attend? It is for rising seniors.....? :confused:

BTW, great post. Saying goodbye is a skill that most of us parents need to learn. A smile, a wave, walk away. Break down after the kid is gone! It's hard, but with practice it does get easier. A little.
 
shellz said:
When did AIM begin allowing rising juniors to attend? It is for rising seniors.....? :confused:
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I believe the OP used the term incorrectly.

A rising senior is a student who has completed their junior year but not yet begun their senior year
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You are correct, AIM is for rising seniors only.
 
catchthefever said:
I'm listening to every word here because it looks like my day is coming. My daughter (a rising high school junior) is at AIM this week. Very proud that she was selected a year early and that the CGA softball coach is very interested in her for the incoming 2013 class. But I got my first taste of what you all are talking about when I put her on the plane from Orlando to Hartford last Sunday. I'm an Air Force vet, so I have an idea of what she can expect and we had laughed and joked about that. She's a strong young lady and perfectly capable, so in my heart of hearts, I am completely convinced that she will do and be just fine. However, there's something I learned about the reversal of roles between kids and parents over time. I talked the airline into giving me a gate pass so I could wait with her in the final moments before she boarded her plane. As usual, we were cutting up and enjoying our time together. I, too, was bound and determined not to be that clingy, weepy mom. Then it was time for her to get in line to board. I stood off a ways and watched her get closer and closer to the woman who would scan her ticket and waive her onboard. With that smile still plastered on my face, all I could think is, "Will she turn and look back at me one more time?" And then I had a vision of her four years old when she would ride the carousel at the mall and every time she came around for another revolution, she was looking for ME to make sure I was watching HER. Now all I wanted was for HER to look at ME ... one more time. Then in a moment I will never forget, she looked back and smiled and waved ... not once, but twice. I told her to go up there and knock their socks off and something tells me that's exactly what she's doing. I'm very proud and that's what will get me through the separations to come. It's what we raised her to be. It's what we hoped she'd be. Strong. Independent. Capable. Successful. Financially Secure. What have I got to cry about? But I will!!!!!
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A virtual hug coming your way! I tell you, the hours since we left CT on Monday leaving our scholar have been DIFFICULT. My husband is a toughie and he is a mess. We know it is the right thing, we know that it is perfect for her, but dang...

We feel like it is the end of an era for us, so I think we are mourning that. I did feel MUCH better after spending the day listening to the speeches and instruction from the officers in charge. Now, I just can't wait for her to get to Marion so I can talk to her a bit:)
 
It goes so fast. At Graduation four years seems like minutes ago you were dropping them off for I-Day. What a change! I admit it I cried at both but nobody saw. It was the heat and humidity!
 
Dad took DS back to USNA today---at PPW DS went in early didn't tell Dad bye or look back hurt too much I guess ---I know it did me--reminded me of kindergarten. Today as a youngster ready for block three (after being antsy the last week at home) not only a hug bye but when he got to the doors to Bancroft Dad saw him open the doors for plebes trying to get in without a pass code(?) ---he let them in and turned to Dad with a BIG GRIN , a smile and a wave. Dad got a text a while later " They called me Sir--it was weird but felt great! DS also called me tonight no tears from either of us--he is back and ready for block to start and AC year. He is "home". His home . As it should be. You notice I did not go-lol. How many weeks till Thanksgiving????
 
MomoftheMagik said:
Totally agree with above posts. And don't be surprised if your kid is shell shocked! Mine had been preparing for this day for years, had attended NASS, thought he knew what to expect...But, when we got our few minutes at the end of I-Day, he looked like he had already been to Hell and had come back to tell us to beware! DS kept saying, "I don't know if I want to do this!"
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That's what my boyfriend was like too, but now he is settling in so well. I'm incredibly proud. I know this is the parent's forum, but whatever.
 
Blackhawkmom, that was exactly my experience this year...I was almost anxious for him to go and start his adventure so I could hear all about it. How can we be sad when they are so excited? I love seeing my son so happy.
 
AF6872 said:
It goes so fast. At Graduation four years seems like minutes ago you were dropping them off for I-Day. What a change! I admit it I cried at both but nobody saw. It was the heat and humidity!
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Still can't believe the 4 years went by so fast! My story is there were a lot of pollens in the air those days, it's what made my eyes water.

Talk about time flying, phase 1 of TBS is almost over. Surprised to learn there are no black flag days at TBS. Full bore training even with the record heat. However, as an officer, if you PT'ed your enlisted Marines in these conditions you would face some very serious consequences.
 
Mongo said:
Do you think they have black flag days in Afghanistan?
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Do you think that Soldiers and Marines are more valuable before or after they become heat casualties? It doesn't do anyone any good to have casualties in training- and as far as heat casualties go: you don't recover fully from being a heat casualty- you always have a higher propensity for it. And for what did you become a casualty? Training in 105 degree heat doesn't acclimate you - it potentially kills you. And MIDNDAD you are right- if as an officer you PT your troops in that kind of weather you will deservedly be in a raft of trouble, because you haven't thought thru the risks (many) and benefits(few) to your personnel .

It ain't no LOL issue.
 
bruno said:
Do you think that Soldiers and Marines are more valuable before or after they become heat casualties? It doesn't do anyone any good to have casualties in training- and as far as heat casualties go: you don't recover fully from being a heat casualty- you always have a higher propensity for it. And for what did you become a casualty? Training in 105 degree heat doesn't acclimate you - it potentially kills you. And MIDNDAD you are right- if as an officer you PT your troops in that kind of weather you will deservedly be in a raft of trouble, because you haven't thought thru the risks (many) and benefits(few) to your personnel .

It ain't no LOL issue.
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Much better that the officers experience this in a controlled environment than being coddled until they reach actual combat. It will make them better leaders. And I would bet that the heat was taken into consideration as to planning the actual events to be executed.
 
Mongo said:
Much better that the officers experience this in a controlled environment than being coddled until they reach actual combat. It will make them better leaders. And I would bet that the heat was taken into consideration as to planning the actual events to be executed.
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yep- I remember when people armed with a remote knowledge of actual weather effects but determined to show that they were "hard guys" used to say that about winter Ranger school too- right up until 4 guys died of hypothermia in Swamp phase. Heat kills and while some pilot "slipping the surly bonds of earth" might not know that, experienced Infantrymen know it first hand. I hope that TBS adjusted their schedule to accommodate the hottest three day period since 1950 and suspect they did- if they didn't then the people in charge were negligent and lucky.
 
bruno said:
Heat kills and while some pilot "slipping the surly bonds of earth" might not know that, experienced Infantrymen know it first hand. I hope that TBS adjusted their schedule to accommodate the hottest three day period since 1950 and suspect they did- if they didn't then the people in charge were negligent and lucky.
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yep, why don't we assume that leadership knows what they are doing until we hear differently and quit acting like a new plebe parent assuming that military leadership is a bunch of idiots.

And I did spent a year in SE Asia humping an 80 lb pack in 105 degree heat. Did you? Wouldn't have bothered me a bit to have been better prepared beforehand to understand some of the effects of heat and how to address it.
 
Mongo said:
Do you think they have black flag days in Afghanistan?
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No, as my 2nd LT explained to me, "you train like you fight". As a parent, this is just part of the learning process I'm going through in the transition from a USNA student parent to a Marine Officers parent. Like I said, I was surprsed to learn that even with a heat index of 126 to 128 last Friday all TBS physical training went on as scheduled. Part of the reasoning is as officers, they are expected to perform in all conditions but also at this point in TBS they are in peak physical condition and can handle the discomfort and perform.

Yet at the same time the Marine Captain in charge of my 2nd LT's platoon informed her that if the platoon were enlisted Marines still in bootcamp and he ordered them to do the same training he would likly be releaved and face a potential court martial for endangering the health and safety of his men.

I find the dicotomy of those statements interesting.
 
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