coping with another step closer

[sterling]

Our son is a rising Cow and will be signing his commitment in about a week. While we support him wholeheartedly and are very proud, we often wonder if we are the only parents that get the sinking feeling of "one step closer"? The 90 second good bye as with the majority of R day was a very sobering experience. Now that he is "playing for keeps" things seem to have become even more real.

[Stealth_81]

I understand what you are saying, and you are not alone. Every step that they take in their education and training puts them closer to the realities of military life. I will also say that for us, it hasn't stopped. We are so proud of our son, too, but when he called and told us he was selected to go to Qatar for Summer Ops, it was another gut-check for us. Then a few weeks later he called to tell us that he got his pilot slot, and all the thoughts of what that really means come into a parent's head.

Don't feel that you're different because you think about these things. All parents care about their kids and what they do. It's just natural.

Stealth_81

[AF6872]

I agree "it's just natural" for parents to have that gut-check at the commitment and then down the road the final service selection. Even prior service parents have reservations about their child choosing the right path. They are adults so there is not much we can do about it but support them in their decisions.

[WAMom68]

I remember the feeling this time last year when my son’s cow commitment was coming up. I agree with Stealth81, there is always some new milestone that moves you closer to the reality of your son/daughter being out of school and in the real military. I’m already thinking of branch night in November. Right now having my son choose infantry is theoretical, after branch night it will be real.

[AF6872]

We have a unique situation. Daughter and roommate will be doing first semester overseas. They will not be on the Yard for Service Selection Night. They have been told that they will have to make their selection prior to their deployment way prior to November. Daughter is leaning toward Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Mom just "loves" this possible decision. As an adult she is her own person and the master of her fate.

[sterling]

We alway's joked that our son was born thirty...given the level of maturity of each attending it is a common thread. Sometimes we do wonder who is the parent. Thank you all for the reassurance that our feelings are shared. As we came into the SA family it has been nice to know that with the general population that tauts our lack of tuition expense while not having a clue of what the big deal of each step is there is another community who understands. Our prayers go to you and your families as these steps are taken.