07-13-2007, 01:38 PM
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Private
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 8
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Ft. Knox
My son has been at Ft. Knox since June 29th and began basic on 7/7. He has called twice, although the calls lasted about 30 seconds. The first time only said that he had arrived and that he met a few guys. The second time he called to give us his mailing address and we could tell he was crying. I just received a letter from him that said that the weather was miserable (in the 90's), said he was crying while he was writing the letter, missed home life and to end it he said he wasn't sure if he wanted to make the army his career.
When he decided to join the army he immediately began training with a PT and lost about 50pounds. He was physically ready for it but I know he wasn't ready mentally. I realize the BT is brutal and that he needs to get through the first few weeks.
Any advice you could share would be greatly appreciated.
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07-13-2007, 02:31 PM
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General of the Armies
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ireland (Ex Irish Army)
Posts: 11,156
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For young men signing up, basic is often the first long spell away from home.. its hard on them and they do find the training mentally and emotionally draining... this is normal.. the DIs may be seen as tormentors, but they are also carers meaning they look out for their recruits, but dont mother them.... Your son is feeling the pinch in training, but with time will learn to adapt to the new way of thinking and living in the army... the level of pain he feels is directly linked IMO to how dogmatic and strong willed he is.. I had major problems focusing through the first half of my basic, and took off during the second half..... I found it much easier and less threatening... in reality, the adjustement was proceeding and I was getting on easier.. You son should experience better times as time goes on... Giving the army a real go takes character and courage... your son will be tested, but with such tests comes great pride and accomplishment in sticking the pace...
Good Luck to you both...
__________________
 "Barrel High, Powder Dry!"
"Illic est haud effrego ex Veneratio"
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07-13-2007, 07:35 PM
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Brigadier General
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Where BIG is best
Posts: 2,517
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Quote:
Originally Posted by worriedfather
My son has been at Ft. Knox since June 29th and began basic on 7/7. He has called twice, although the calls lasted about 30 seconds. The first time only said that he had arrived and that he met a few guys. The second time he called to give us his mailing address and we could tell he was crying. I just received a letter from him that said that the weather was miserable (in the 90's), said he was crying while he was writing the letter, missed home life and to end it he said he wasn't sure if he wanted to make the army his career.
When he decided to join the army he immediately began training with a PT and lost about 50pounds. He was physically ready for it but I know he wasn't ready mentally. I realize the BT is brutal and that he needs to get through the first few weeks.
Any advice you could share would be greatly appreciated.
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Yes, all the calls are REALLY short in the beginning... STAY POSITIVE and write REALLY positive letters... How proud you are in all that he is accomplishing... Try to stay away from "we miss you terribly" or "can't wait for you to come home" because those types of messages hit him and he'll think about that instead of what a great person he is and all the GREAT accomplishments he is going to be apart of. Write him things like "your strengths X, Y, Z are going to pull you through your challenges, etc..." reminding him of all his good traits... all the things that will make him successful. Crying is good... REALLY good... means he is being broken and you need to be broken before you can be successful in the military.
My husband went in at 30. He is VERY quiet, VERY compassionate... and I thought the Army would RIP him to pieces...of course, I think being married to me... the constant critic, perfectionist, opinionated person... made him emotionally ready... and I also ran his butt at the gym beforehand too... hahaha He said "Wow, now I understand why you are the way you are... one of my drill sgt. is EXACTLY like your dad!" ROFL He LOVED basic... you mentioned he was physically ready, but not really mentally... I guess my feeling is - it is pretty hard to prepare mentally for the unknown...
My brother in law went to Fort Knox... it's a great training ground. In 9 weeks - it will be said and done and he'll start to feel apart of something. It is SO overwhelming... all the papers, no family by your side... SOON he'll be so independent and more amazing then you ever thought!
Good luck and keep us posted. 
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-Fireball
Army Wife and mother of 3
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07-15-2007, 11:02 AM
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Major General
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 7th and 33rd " Home of the Show"
Posts: 3,706
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The Army family.....
Hey dad.
The first couple of weeks are very tough mentally and physically. We had kids learning how to become men. We had guys who had issues with their knees hurting when they ran. We had kids who we're away from home for the first time ever. I had a friend that wore glasses so thick you could trip over them.We had guys worring about jody! (someone messing with your girlfriend back home) It was a big mess the first two or three weeks. I kid you not. But, once we got settled down and the mail came in we we're able to vent a little. It's a natural reaction when talking to parents. I used to write my letters in the dark.....
Them we had to do our PT Training every single second of the day. We never ever had time to sleep. I was away on Thanksgiving day and never had enough time to eat until I got smart and learned what I had to do to get a quick bite to eat. I quick stepped.
Then it happened.The unit got close and we started looking out for one another. We improved in our training and in our attitude. We we're starting to be soldiers.....We started looking out for the soldier beside us and we started earning free time.....only 1/2 to 45 minutes on a good day.
Now that you have his addresss put it to good use.....Mail is everything. Try to copy a family picture off the screen and mail it. I had pictures of my girlfriends and my family mailed to me from one of my brothers. I posted them in my locker and it made me feel better knowing we we're counting down the days to family day. Awesome. See it gets better in time. Looking back it was hard to belive we we're the same guys getting off that bus. We are soldiers now.
We we're a bunch of guys from Ohio and New York. Texas Florida and Mississippi. Some we're educated and some we're poor. But at the end of the day ..... We we're brothers. The friends, I made with my unit (Alpha) and other units Foxtrot, ect.....Will last forever.
When I look back.. it was a very proud moment in my life learning that their's more to life then just myself. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless-Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.
It doesnt get better then that. Good luck. Stay proud and Stay Army.On family day ......you will be so proud when you see your soldier in his class ( A ) uniform. Awesome.
Oh, tell your son to leave a note in his locker for the next soldier. The day he graduates. I had one in mine and left one to.....It's a nice Army gesture.
Nightflyer.
Army Aviation. Highspeed.
Black berets forever.
__________________
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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.
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Last edited by Nightflyer; 07-15-2007 at 04:18 PM..
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07-16-2007, 02:47 PM
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General of the Armies
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ireland (Ex Irish Army)
Posts: 11,156
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SSGWINTERS
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Try getting a life and stop spamming the forum... 
__________________
"Barrel High, Powder Dry!"
"Illic est haud effrego ex Veneratio"
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07-16-2007, 07:01 PM
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Private
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 5
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I'm with you worried father. My son left on June 26th, and started basic on July 2 in Fort Leonard Wood. Although he seems to be handling it a little better. Today I got a letter saying he hasn't received any of my letters yet. (I have sent about 7) It is causing him to get homesick. I hear for some reason the third week seems to be the hardest on them, a low point. He is my oldest and the first one in the family to go to the military. I worry also, however I think it makes them stronger and more self reliant. Hang in there, as I am. There will be good and bad days, for you and him. I go through it as well. Good luck!
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07-25-2007, 04:28 PM
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Recruit
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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My son left for Fort Knox also....
My son also called and when we said goodbye, he cried. I think, after reading these postings, that is quite normal for those emotions. I cried for a least a week!!!
I know my son is doing a great thing and in turn it will do a great thing for him. It is just so hard to let your baby go. For 18 years we have protected them from anything that hurt them and to hear them cry and be so far away and helpless is extremely difficult.
I completely understand and stand in your shoes!
Hang in there! My son has been in boot camp for 2 weeks now and I have only got one letter and one phone call, but I have sent him at least 10 letters. I write him every other day, encouraging him. But really, I check the post office and wait by the phone on Sunday as if I were on pins and needles!!! |
07-26-2007, 11:53 AM
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Sergeant First Class
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: United States of America
Posts: 157
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Quote:
Originally Posted by worriedfather
My son has been at Ft. Knox since June 29th and began basic on 7/7. He has called twice, although the calls lasted about 30 seconds. The first time only said that he had arrived and that he met a few guys. The second time he called to give us his mailing address and we could tell he was crying. I just received a letter from him that said that the weather was miserable (in the 90's), said he was crying while he was writing the letter, missed home life and to end it he said he wasn't sure if he wanted to make the army his career.
When he decided to join the army he immediately began training with a PT and lost about 50pounds. He was physically ready for it but I know he wasn't ready mentally. I realize the BT is brutal and that he needs to get through the first few weeks.
Any advice you could share would be greatly appreciated.
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Hey there! my boyfriend is in basic right now. He writes about twice a week depending on how tired he is and calles when he is allowed to. The longer they are down there the more they can call and the longer the calls will be. i talked to him for over 45 min. last night i was soo happy!! just hang in there it gets a little easier!! they adapt to the mental and physical tasks they do, so it will get better for him!!
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Keeping my eyes patiently focused on you boy!
Last edited by Kayla; 07-26-2007 at 11:57 AM..
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