F15DOC
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2013
- Messages
- 281
Hello worried and excited parents!
I am remembering our world one year ago when we were preparing to take our son to the USCGA...
The great unknowns, the excitement, the questions...
It is a ride ladies and gentlemen... buckle up...
Well, it was quite a year for us, from the very first morning after dropping him off at the RDay check-in, getting a call and being told we needed to meet with our son and a USCGA rep at the counselor office, being told he may not make weight standards and he could be sent home before we even had our parents greeting lunch!
Then he was measured and made weight, we got another call, our hearts stopped, but all was good...
Then the big parade ground review, the 15 minutes with our son with his freshly shaved head, the shellshocked look in his eyes and him stating that he didn't think he really wanted this after all....
Leaving him there to sort it out, flying home tormented...
Then the 4 weeks of waiting, which turned into only 2 weeks when we got a heart stopping call from the counselor office and he repeated on the phone to us that he didn't want this... at that point I gave the motivational talk of my life to encourage him and support him, letting him know this is his life and his call but pushing him to make it through swab summer before deciding to give it all up.
Then the daily surfing through Paul Duddy's photos, grateful for them, looking for those great photos of your swab, just to see him...
Then the much awaited call at 4 weeks, the one all parents are waiting for... hearing he is doing better and is definitely sticking out swab summer....
Then the video chat at 6 weeks as he is getting ready to board the Eagle, sailing to New York, being treated like a Hero there, loving everything about it...
Then the call after finishing swab summer, he made it, and things were looking up!
Then seeing him at parents weekend, looking so squared away, happy...
Then Christmas break, him flying with our local USCG Air Station, hooked... doing great...
Finishing up his year, 6 weeks on the Eagle, amazing stories and experiences...
Wow, what a year....
Here is a quick video I put together and shared with the Class of 2020 Parents Facebook Page.
Join your swabs parents facebook page! It was a lifesaver during swab summer, the Paul Duddy Photos, the support, its terrific!
The video shows a glimpse of checking in for RDay, what you and your swab can expect.
If you have any questions or concerns about R Day or the upcoming year, feel free to ask, I know what you are going through!!
I am remembering our world one year ago when we were preparing to take our son to the USCGA...
The great unknowns, the excitement, the questions...
It is a ride ladies and gentlemen... buckle up...
Well, it was quite a year for us, from the very first morning after dropping him off at the RDay check-in, getting a call and being told we needed to meet with our son and a USCGA rep at the counselor office, being told he may not make weight standards and he could be sent home before we even had our parents greeting lunch!
Then he was measured and made weight, we got another call, our hearts stopped, but all was good...
Then the big parade ground review, the 15 minutes with our son with his freshly shaved head, the shellshocked look in his eyes and him stating that he didn't think he really wanted this after all....
Leaving him there to sort it out, flying home tormented...
Then the 4 weeks of waiting, which turned into only 2 weeks when we got a heart stopping call from the counselor office and he repeated on the phone to us that he didn't want this... at that point I gave the motivational talk of my life to encourage him and support him, letting him know this is his life and his call but pushing him to make it through swab summer before deciding to give it all up.
Then the daily surfing through Paul Duddy's photos, grateful for them, looking for those great photos of your swab, just to see him...
Then the much awaited call at 4 weeks, the one all parents are waiting for... hearing he is doing better and is definitely sticking out swab summer....
Then the video chat at 6 weeks as he is getting ready to board the Eagle, sailing to New York, being treated like a Hero there, loving everything about it...
Then the call after finishing swab summer, he made it, and things were looking up!
Then seeing him at parents weekend, looking so squared away, happy...
Then Christmas break, him flying with our local USCG Air Station, hooked... doing great...
Finishing up his year, 6 weeks on the Eagle, amazing stories and experiences...
Wow, what a year....
Here is a quick video I put together and shared with the Class of 2020 Parents Facebook Page.
Join your swabs parents facebook page! It was a lifesaver during swab summer, the Paul Duddy Photos, the support, its terrific!
The video shows a glimpse of checking in for RDay, what you and your swab can expect.
If you have any questions or concerns about R Day or the upcoming year, feel free to ask, I know what you are going through!!