Youngest Daughter Heading to MEPS

[JIMMIEM]

@John,

Congratulations and we have a niece who went into the Army and is now an FBI agent.

[John Morris]

18 minutes ago, JIMMIEM said:

we have a niece who went into the Army and is now an FBI agent.

Hey Jim that is so awesome!!! Can you tell me how long she was in the Army for?

[John Morris]

T-minus 34 days and counting, our baby girl sets off to serve our nation. 

I'm going to miss her horribly. And I am very proud! 

Hey, I get to put one of those bumper stickers on my car, you know, "My child is serving in the US Army".

Boy, what an adjustment. 

[JIMMIEM]

In addition to being proud of your daughter you and your wife need to be proud of yourselves too!

[Gunny]

3 hours ago, John Morris said:

I'm going to miss her horribly. And I am very proud!

I know how you feel.  My son is at Merchant Marine Academy.  My adopted sons so to speak are at West Point and the other is going through OCS  for the Navy.    Back of my car will be full of bumper stickers.

[John Morris]

11 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I know how you feel.  My son is at Merchant Marine Academy.  My adopted sons so to speak are at West Point and the other is going through OCS  for the Navy.

Now that's a family of service!

Was the Navy man in for a number of years before OCS or is he out of college fresh?

[Gunny]

2 hours ago, John Morris said:

Was the Navy man in for a number of years before OCS or is he out of college fresh?

He went in enlisted, but had high scores in a bunch of categories. (Never was up on this part)  Once in he was fast tracked through his MOS school and sent off a day before graduation to his duty station.  Next day the ship left for sea.  Something happened on ship that made an impression on the Captain.  Next thing I hear he was accepted for some DIRCOM (direct commission) program and off to OCS he goes.  Bright young man, street smarts mixed with book smarts, a rare breed.

[John Morris]

2 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

He went in enlisted, but had high scores in a bunch of categories. (Never was up on this part)  Once in he was fast tracked through his MOS school and sent off a day before graduation to his duty station.  Next day the ship left for sea.  Something happened on ship that made an impression on the Captain.  Next thing I hear he was accepted for some DIRCOM (direct commission) program and off to OCS he goes.  Bright young man, street smarts mixed with book smarts, a rare breed.

Man, that is completely awesome, that don't happen very often, the fast track like that. What a great story!

[Gunny]

3 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Man, that is completely awesome, that don't happen very often, the fast track like that. What a great story!

Yes.  And no influence by family or friends.  This was all him.  His Dad went off the mental dive board after his wife died and that is how Jason came to stay with me for about a year. 

[FlGatorwood]

John, congratulations to you and your wife for raising a smart girl and one who is able to make decisions.  She'll get the free training, traveling and exposure to various cultures.  Can't get a better education.  You'll like Fort Jackson, it's a very pretty base.  And, she's going at a good time of year when it will get cooler for her graduation.  

 

I worked civil service for DOD for 35 years.  I will never recommend that anyone work for Federal Service again.  The retirement system has been dismantled and is now subject to political whatever.  Once she is out of the Army, she might find a contractor in which she may get a decent retirement, health insurance and other benefits that will help when she retires.  Federal Service retirement has been going down hill since 1982.  That's why I do not recommend anyone work for the Feds.  Just my experience.  Anyway, she has a great career path and I hope it works very well for her.  

 

 

[John Morris]

T-minus 34 days! I can't hug her enough lately.

[FlGatorwood]

 At least, this latest tropical storm will be out of the area when she arrives.  Those drill sergeants will be all up in her face soon.  For a couple of days, she may wonder what she agreed to.  I am confident she will do well.  We'll have to get you and the missus a big crying towel for a few days.  She will get to call you in about 6 weeks or that is when our son got to call us.  

[Gunny]

2 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

For a couple of days, she may wonder what she agreed to.

Yeah I imagine many of us had that moment.  

[John Morris]

9 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

We'll have to get you and the missus a big crying towel for a few days. 

Been using them already Steve, it's hard on us parents. Personally been going through a lot of emotions, pride of course, and guilt, just seems like her childhood went by too quickly and I have not done all that I wanted to do with my baby girl. I feel like I had not spent enough time with her as a dad, other dad's been telling me that's a natural response, when they fly the coop many Dad's just feel like they never spent the time they wanted to with our kids.

[John Morris]

T-minus 11 days, ship date got moved up a couple days to Monday swearing in, Tuesday ship out. My wife and I will be at MEPS Monday the 23rd, watch our girl swear in, then supposedly we'll have a chance to take her out to lunch, then transport her back to the motel where she'll turn in and wake up at "O Dark 30" and head to San Diego International then off she goes to Jackson.

[Gene Howe]

Treasure these 11 days because, you know you won't get that same young lady back.  

[John Morris]

I'm ready.

 

[Gunny]

11 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Treasure these 11 days because, you know you won't get that same young lady back. 

When the recruiter came to pick me up to got to MEPS my Father told him, "I did my best for the last 17 years, your turn."

 

3 month later he came to graduation.  He told the Sr. Drill Instructor, "wow you guys are amazing!"

 

[John Morris]

50 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

When the recruiter came to pick me up to got to MEPS my Father told him, "I did my best for the last 17 years, your turn."

3 month later he came to graduation.  He told the Sr. Drill Instructor, "wow you guys are amazing!"

That was a very meaningful encouraging statement Gunny, whether you meant it or not, I took peace in what you just stated. Thanks man.

[Gunny]

20 hours ago, John Morris said:

Thanks man.

Anytime.  My Father was and has continued to be impressed by what the Marine Corp taught me and the values then instilled.  

 

Now his proudest moment was my wedding to current wife.  He took her father's place as he could not get to USA at the time.

AND he had a lot of fun with this picture as he "borrowed" my wife for bragging rights at work. 

Told everyone he traded my Mother in for a younger model.