Hello everyone. Yes I'm a new army mom, and have read alot of the posts on here. My son is currently in Basic at ft Benning, GA. He started actually doing weekends (through the guards) back in high school, and went into basic on Sept 2nd. I wish I could sound excited like alot of other moms, but I just dont have it in me. I am proud of him for doing it, but another part of me wants to strangle him! I still cry when I read every letter-so maybe I'm just selfish. I dont know-----any words of encouragement?
Jen
Army mom from NY

Less than 1% of Americans are willing to do what your son so unselfishly stepped up to do and to do it so young, even more admirable.

It's a scary thing, but your son is doing something that will help him grow so much as a person. If you think you are proud now, wait til he comes home. If you have the opportunity to go to his BCT graduation, go...I promise you won't regret it and you will have pride like you have never felt before.

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Armygirl4ever,
Proud Army Veteran 1993-2004
Now Proudly Serving in the Silent (okay, maybe not always so silent) Ranks

Welcome to the forums Jen...Its normal to have mixed emotions..My mum and girlfriend never wanted me to to go back everytime I went home on leave..They learned to hide it after a while but I could still tell.

I think its always harder on the families who are left to worry...Just try and keep your chin up and be a surport for him

Respect to your son for serving the US Military

All the best to both of you

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Hi Ho Hi Ho

Welcome --- I'm also a New Army Mom --- I know about the mixed emotions. I just try not to give my negative emotions any weight - cuz it doesn't do any good. I'm overall incredibly proud of my son --- but I worry also - just can't let him see it. I wish all of my kids could just stay at home and I could tuck them in at night --- it would make my life a lot easier --- those are the thoughts I forever have. But I know that is not realistic and I have to let them grow up and live their own lives. Being a soldier is very respectable and everytime I get worried about something bad happening - I just remind myself that something bad can happen even if he wasn't in the service --- I have no control (which I hate) and his willingness to step up to the plate and serve our country - which gives us such wonderful freedoms is an honor. My suggestion is to just try to concentrate on that honor - give him lots of encouragement and support and look forward to seeing him in his uniform all buffed out - proud and strong --- That keeps me going!!

Great point!!!!!...and a brilliant way of looking at it.

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Hi Ho Hi Ho

Welcome to Army.com, Jen!

Is your son taking Infantry OSUT? My son did that over 4 years ago & just recently left active duty. He wound up as a Ranger & was SGT & squad leader in the 3rd Ranger Batt., Ft. Benning.

This is a great site to receive support. Many are or were in the same position that you are in. My wife & I had to go through 5 deployments with my son.

Wish him luck for me & give him my gratitude for his willingness to serve in the wartime Army.

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Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

Thank you everyone for your words of support. My son heads to AIT after basic, and because Im not at all familiar with the service, I dont know exactly what that means-except for another 9 more months of him not being home. He initially liked basic training, but the last 2 letters sound like things have taken a turn for the worse, and I've always been the kind of mom that would take my kids away from situations that they didnt like, but this time I guess I can't. Thats whats the hardest part for me. (Yet its probably the best part of learning experience for him.) I wasnt real enthused with the army theory of "my soldier"- he's still my "son". He's their soldier. Maybe after graduation I will have a different outlook on it, until then, I keep my thoughts away from him, so not to bring him down, and hope that he finds a happy enjoyment to the decision he has made!! Thank again for all of your words, they do give me a little encouagement.

Jen
NY

AIT - Advanced Individual Training. That's where he'll learn his MOS or job he'll be doing in the Army.

MOS-Military Occupational Skill.

Don't unduly worry about your son. Worry yes, but not to the point of panic. I know it's hard to being a protective mother to the mom of a soldier but they all must get wings & fly.

The Drill SGTs & instructors are professionals & know what they're doing & they do well the turning a civilian into a soldier.

If it's any consolation to you millions have successfully gone through what your son is going through right now. If he was not tired & ecstatically happy I'd be worried that someone is not doing their job.

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Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

Welcome aboard from another Benning mama! My son is stationed there now. Medic did his BCT at Ft Sill and his AIT at Ft Sam Houston. He was gone for 11 months, with a short break to come home for Christmas last year.

It's an odd feeling, isn't it, this combined pride and dread? After his graduation, though, I think you'll find that the pride far outweighs the other junk. Your son has made a decision for himself, a choice of directions in his life. That's something to be proud of right there. Be sure to tell him that often and the ordeals of training will be much easier for him.

I am also a new army mom and my son is at at Ft Benning. He got there on the Sept 5th but he didn't go into basic till the Sept 26th. He was in sorta limbo for a couple of weeks and I'm not sure why but he's 2 weeks into basic now and we have received a few letters. He sounds like he is doing OK. I'm wondering when we will find out about graduation. Do they send his family something or will he be the one to tell us? Is it 14 weeks from when he went in?? That would make it Dec 26th. Would they graduate a day after xmas? Sorry but my son went 5 days after signing up so I never really got to think about all of this or ask any questions.