Well, today's the day!

[Philip]

Well, my oldest son, Duncan, is leaving for the Navy today - first to boot camp in Illinois and immediately after that to SEAL trials, in California. We may not see him for nearly a year - and have no idea when he'll even be allowed to text. He just finished his first two years of college, but decided this is what he wanted to do. And he knows it's going to be grueling! He's just the greatest kid - extremely confident, low-key, very spiritually mature (for his age) and physically strong. I wish he could stay close by forever. I'm just surprised how this is affecting me. For some time I have been worried about how my wife would handle it, but surprisingly, I'm the one that's not handling it so well. Oh, how I love that boy! But I guess raising a boy to be a man and to one day leave - well, that's what parents are supposed to do. It's just going to be a tough day around here!

[RickD]

With the difficult odds of making it completely through seal training, he'll be back living in your basement within a year.

[Philip]

No basement! Besides that, he signed into the Navy, no matter if he doesn't make it as a seal. But the guys he goes to basic training with are all special-ops commitments - because just to qualify for the seals, you must past rigorous, bi-weekly fitness benchmarks and be offered a contract, well before.

[Fliegender]

May I suggest you adopt a dog? Caring for a puppy will take your mind off your son's departure.

[abelcainsbrother]

Well, my oldest son, Duncan, is leaving for the Navy today - first to boot camp in Illinois and immediately after that to SEAL trials, in California. We may not see him for nearly a year - and have no idea when he'll even be allowed to text. He just finished his first two years of college, but decided this is what he wanted to do. And he knows it's going to be grueling! He's just the greatest kid - extremely confident, low-key, very spiritually mature (for his age) and physically strong. I wish he could stay close by forever. I'm just surprised how this is affecting me. For some time I have been worried about how my wife would handle it, but surprisingly, I'm the one that's not handling it so well. Oh, how I love that boy! But I guess raising a boy to be a man and to one day leave - well, that's what parents are supposed to do. It's just going to be a tough day around here!

I wish him all the best.I have a younger brother who went into the Navy about a year ago,he sold a bunch of stuff too,he really had his mind set on it as a friend he had convinced him and dad had been in the Navy and encouraged him too, but basic training was too much for him and he did not make it.Instead,he came home and got a good job and he loves it and moved up quick into a management position.I also think he missed his girlfriend who he will probably marry one day.

[RickD]

ACB wrote:
I have a younger brother who went into the Navy about a year ago

How old are you, ACB?

[PaulSacramento]

Well, my oldest son, Duncan, is leaving for the Navy today - first to boot camp in Illinois and immediately after that to SEAL trials, in California. We may not see him for nearly a year - and have no idea when he'll even be allowed to text. He just finished his first two years of college, but decided this is what he wanted to do. And he knows it's going to be grueling! He's just the greatest kid - extremely confident, low-key, very spiritually mature (for his age) and physically strong. I wish he could stay close by forever. I'm just surprised how this is affecting me. For some time I have been worried about how my wife would handle it, but surprisingly, I'm the one that's not handling it so well. Oh, how I love that boy! But I guess raising a boy to be a man and to one day leave - well, that's what parents are supposed to do. It's just going to be a tough day around here!

Awesome and best of luck.
The camaraderie and brotherhood of the special ops community is great.
Hope all works out.

[RickD]

No basement! Besides that, he signed into the Navy, no matter if he doesn't make it as a seal. But the guys he goes to basic training with are all special-ops commitments - because just to qualify for the seals, you must past rigorous, bi-weekly fitness benchmarks and be offered a contract, well before.

I wondering, does your son get his determination, drive, and physical ability, from his Mom's side of the family?

[Philip]

I wondering, does your son get his determination, drive, and physical ability, from his Mom's side of the family?

Drive for risk, the unknown and significant potential danger? Not from either of us. Though we both have a history of sports and physical pursuits. I had a dad with a long history with the military - which made me want to avoid it like the plague! He's a strange combination of being very laid back but exceptionally confident and intense.

[PaulSacramento]

No basement! Besides that, he signed into the Navy, no matter if he doesn't make it as a seal. But the guys he goes to basic training with are all special-ops commitments - because just to qualify for the seals, you must past rigorous, bi-weekly fitness benchmarks and be offered a contract, well before.

I wondering, does your son get his determination, drive, and physical ability, from his Mom's side of the family?

[Philip]

Ever notice how Rick attempts to project his own sense of personal inadequacies on other people?

[RickD]

Ever notice how Rick attempts to project his own sense of personal inadequacies on other people?

My son gets all of his good qualities from his mom's side.

Unfortunately, he gets all of his bad qualities from her too.

[Fliegender]

Smart people adopt their children. That way if your kid turns out to be an axe murderer you can blame it on genetics. If he grows up to win a Nobel prize, then it’s all your doing.

[RickD]

Smart people adopt their children. That way if your kid turns out to be an axe murderer you can blame it on genetics. If he grows up to win a Nobel prize, then it’s all your doing.

Smart French Canadians adopt children that ARE NOT French Canadian.

[Fliegender]

Smart French Canadians adopt children that ARE NOT French Canadian.

What are you going on about? Have you traded your food stamps for drugs again?