My son has been in basic training for a week. I got my first call from him today. It was so awful, it sounded like one of those goodbye forever calls, he was so different and cried his eyes out before hanging the phone up, and told me he loved me. He's so stressed. There's no way he could hurt himself is there? I have been taking sedatives to just keep myself from crying. I can't handle this at all. I want him home.

I know I can't call him but could I write him or visit him one day. He's on base in Ft Knox Tennessee.

As you can see from my posts a few before yours, my son just went to Ft. Knox as well. I just sent you a private message, hope you don't mind.

Although we don't know the address yet, start writing him some letters and have them ready to mail out. Be supportive, tell him how things are, ask how he is doing and such.
They are going to be very busy and stressed, so letters from home, family & friends are VERY IMPORTANT

Unless he grew up with a drill sergeant for a dad, then it is safe to say he is in a completely different environment. I work at Ft. Jackson, which is the Army's largest and most active basic training post. This reaction is extremely common. I know it tears your heart out right now to think of him suffering, but he is surrounded by people who are trying to improve him as a person, who care about his welfare, and who he will one day thank for their efforts!
Everyone panics a bit at first. Once they get into the body of training though; he will be too busy and too tired to worry or stress, and before you know it he will be done.
Seriously, it only takes about 10 minutes after graduation before they start reminiscing as though they were at summer camp!
Keep writing and help him keep focused on his reasons for joining!
Do not say anything to him that would cause him further grief or stress, rather tell him things that will motivate him to complete training...its only 9 weeks, and he will be fine.
As far as hurting himself, it would take an act of congress to pull something like that off, were he so inclined.
He will be just fine, whether either of you realizes that right now or not!

__________________
The Broadwayblues / New York Yankees
Sacred Heart University-Division 1 Men's Ice hockey.
Army Aviation U S A


Classic. And we get it.

Posted by... Nightflyer..Go get me a beer.... Posted by Zekos....get me one too b.itch Posted by... Exo1.Haha!!... good man!!.... .........yeah!!.... while your out there get me one too.....Posted by... SniperALpha1Corona with lime is the way to go. CAUSE THAT'S AMERICA *****!Posted by...Zidane Whiskey pl0x.

__________________

Nightflyer is right, your son will be fine.. Military training is literally a shock to the system... we were given bromite in our tea to dampen our emotion centres to make it easier... (tea tasted like dishwater... got us ready for Army coffee... lol)... dunno if your son got the same, sounds like he didnt, but know he will adapt, and that you WILL see him again.. be strong for him and you, and your reward will be seeing your son overcome his biggest obstacle in life todate and pass out as a US Army Soldier...

__________________
"Barrel High, Powder Dry!"

"Illic est haud effrego ex Veneratio"

I am sure it must be hard... it is a definate change... especially going to TN! haha (I am in Nashville... moved from Ohio). I joke with you, but I realize the stress... my hubby is not a guy that I would say is physical/sporty. He is a pretty quiet, obiendent, and respectful... I was PRAYING he wouldn't be eaten alive! HAHAHA He has never been away from me or the kids and I worried he would be homesick. He had a great time in basic. In the end he said he wished he would have joined 5 years ago!

SO give your son some time and REALLY SUPPORT HIM with happy letters!!! Trust in his leaders and know they are teaching him the skills he needs to excell in the army (and life in general). They are just building on the values you have taught him. I am humbled to have a husband willing to serve during this time in the world and I know you are too (I am thankful for your son)...

Fear holds people back from acheiving their greatest potential ... I encourage you to have faith in the training process, excercise excitement and encouragement so he knows you know he will be okay.

YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!! YOU will be an AWESOME ARMY MOM!!! What a journey to watch him go through the good, the bad, and the UGLY... and through it all - he will remember how encouraging you were in the process. He will remember every smile you shared... and THAT will keep him going... THAT will help him move on and realize it gets better... THAT will enble him to be ARMY STRONG!!!

Fireball

__________________


-Fireball
Army Wife and mother of 3

Wow, I was scared out of my mind but my son is just fine. He's just bored and homesick. He wrote a letter to his friend and told her the reason he was crying was because he missed me so much.

The thing that bothered me was him not giving me a reason why he was so upset other than being stressed. He sounded so awful that I just started thinking the worst. And my anxiety has been crazy since I started having some health problems a couple of months ago, so I was already a mess before he even called.

I am really proud of him for joining the army and I think it'll be great for him in a million different ways but I don't think I am up to handling it.

It upsets me because he's gone. It really upsets me thinking about him moving away after he finishes school. And it drives me completely crazy to think he will be working at a job that could cost him his life. I am not exactly happy about his career choice.

The Army may make him strong but it's not going to keep his mom from falling apart whenever he's gone or whenever he's in danger. I really do not want to go through it. I've went through the misery of missing my brother and thinking he was dead in Iraq (a plane blew up the day he was supposed to leave there) and it's just agonizing. He watched a friend of his get blowed up right in front of him.

All parents think the same no matter how much we try to keep their minds at ease. That said, It's best to keep the faith and stay focus on everyday life. I know it's very hard to adjust to not having your son around everyday and keeping your mind busy so to not worry about your son every minute of the day must be very hard. But your not alone. Try going to church it will make you feel alittle bit better inside spiritually.

Try to understand that the Army has trained professionals to look after your son like their own. I have friends on this site who looks after each and everyone of us. (Tacky) and (Ex) and we try to look out for them. The truth is ...we are family. The people outside the Army is proud of each and everyone of us sure...but the truth is they all don't understand what we go through as members of the Army family.

It's about the soldiers beside us. We look after our own like brothers.

Always have and always will. I know you will be strong for your son so he will not have to worry about you.....and I admire your love for your son. Don't worry mom, your son will never be by himself and I promise we will always be there for him and you. Try going to a web site where your son might be going and stay informed about the location and what he might be doing...it will give you something in common with your son when your talking or writing to him.

And please remember....We are an American soldier and a member of a team. A soldiers creed. And We will honor our country, our Army, my unit, and my fellow Soldiers by living the Army values. A soldiers Code. Take care of yourself because your son and we need you. Also theirs a few more Army moms around our site these days. Try reaching out to Kmullins (mom) she can help to put your mind at ease.

God bless and keep the faith.
Nightflyer.

__________________
The Broadwayblues / New York Yankees
Sacred Heart University-Division 1 Men's Ice hockey.
Army Aviation U S A


Classic. And we get it.

Posted by... Nightflyer..Go get me a beer.... Posted by Zekos....get me one too b.itch Posted by... Exo1.Haha!!... good man!!.... .........yeah!!.... while your out there get me one too.....Posted by... SniperALpha1Corona with lime is the way to go. CAUSE THAT'S AMERICA *****!Posted by...Zidane Whiskey pl0x.

__________________

Nightflier...

That was truly touching.
You Sir have a kind heart and if I was serving now I would be proud to serve right next to you. If more people could hear the words you just wrote, more families would understand what it really means to be a Soldier.

I salute you.

__________________
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." -Albert Einstein

"Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" -Admiral David Farragut

It was so touching, I cried when I read it.

Thank you...