My son is now a Soldier

**Telecaster** · 20th November 2011 12:09 PM

We just got back home last night from Fort Benning, Georgia, where my 33yo son Eric graduated basic training on Thursday. Friday he was on a bus to Ft. Gordon for his AIT. Then, I assume his stints in Afghanistan unless he gets real lucky.

His mother and I are so proud of him, but it just isn't easy watching your beloved "little boy" give so much of himself. Funny, no matter how big and bold they grow, we still remember them as our precious young children. But now he's recovering from the "beating" of his lifetime, and continuing towards the next step.

I naturally knew basic training was tough. But not until I saw his experience through his letters did I truly understand just how difficult military training is. He went into it fit and strong with early preparation. As a kart racer and previous trainer-led workouts over the years, he knows what intensive workouts and training are all about. But US Army basic training beat his body and mind to the limit. He told us he had to deal with numerous bouts of wondering if he'd done the right thing. But he always kept his eye on his goals, and found something extra when his muscles said there wasn't anything left. In our years together I'd seen him really push his limits, but reading his letters and talking to him now I can see he is in a whole other world at a whole new level.

I want to thank his Drill Sargents first and foremost. They make our troops the best that is possible. I thank the US Army and command at Ft Benning and Ft Gordon. And I thank God I was born in the United States of America where a 59yo man is given the opportunity to continue learning about life through his children.

**Blueneck** · 20th November 2011 12:16 PM

Congratulations!

**Dutch** · 20th November 2011 12:45 PM

33 years old? Did I read that right? I was damned near half his age when I joined. Having said all that I do wish him well.

**Hollywood** · 20th November 2011 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Telecaster

We just got back home last night from Fort Benning, Georgia, where my 33yo son Eric graduated basic training on Thursday. Friday he was on a bus to Ft. Gordon for his AIT. Then, I assume his stints in Afghanistan unless he gets real lucky.

His mother and I are so proud of him, but it just isn't easy watching your beloved "little boy" give so much of himself. Funny, no matter how big and bold they grow, we still remember them as our precious young children. But now he's recovering from the "beating" of his lifetime, and continuing towards the next step.

I naturally knew basic training was tough. But not until I saw his experience through his letters did I truly understand just how difficult military training is. He went into it fit and strong with early preparation. As a kart racer and previous trainer-led workouts over the years, he knows what intensive workouts and training are all about. But US Army basic training beat his body and mind to the limit. He told us he had to deal with numerous bouts of wondering if he'd done the right thing. But he always kept his eye on his goals, and found something extra when his muscles said there wasn't anything left. In our years together I'd seen him really push his limits, but reading his letters and talking to him now I can see he is in a whole other world at a whole new level.

I want to thank his Drill Sargents first and foremost. They make our troops the best that is possible. I thank the US Army and command at Ft Benning and Ft Gordon. And I thank God I was born in the United States of America where a 59yo man is given the opportunity to continue learning about life through his children.

Thirty-three years old? Isn't that awfully old to be starting a military career?
Anyway, best of luck to your son.

**Telecaster** · 20th November 2011 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by Dutch

33 years old? Did I read that right? I was damned near half his age when I joined. Having said all that I do wish him well.

That is correct. Frustrations with the workaday world of spirits sales without a college degree taught him he should have followed his younger instincts to enlist out of high school. But at the time his mom wouldn't hear of it. So after he halfheartedly pursued, then dropped out from her dream of an art degree, then followed that up with ten years of the corrupt, back-stabbing, what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world of liquor sales, he realized his true calling. And thanks to his high school buddy and best friend, a Army Sargent with three tours in Iraq, he knows exactly what he has gotten into. First to serve his nation. Then, if opportunity and his training and further education allow, possibly a dream career in the field of his first love. That, or fall back on a 20 year Army career to retirement if the politicians and the tax payers will allow. With the possibility of the "automatic" budget cuts to defense, I wonder if we wouldn't revisit those times with forced military retirements.

Oh well. I'll just keep praying for him, and all of our active and retired military.

**Dutch** · 20th November 2011 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Telecaster

That is correct. Frustrations with the workaday world of spirits sales without a college degree taught him he should have followed his younger instincts to enlist out of high school. But at the time his mom wouldn't hear of it. So after he halfheartedly pursued, then dropped out from her dream of an art degree, then followed that up with ten years of the corrupt, back-stabbing, what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world of liquor sales, he realized his true calling. And thanks to his high school buddy and best friend, a Army Sargent with three tours in Iraq, he knows exactly what he has gotten into. First to serve his nation. Then, if opportunity and his training and further education allow, possibly a dream career in the field of his first love. That, or fall back on a 20 year Army career to retirement if the politicians and the tax payers will allow. With the possibility of the "automatic" budget cuts to defense, I wonder if we wouldn't revisit those times with forced military retirements.

Oh well. I'll just keep praying for him, and all of our active and retired military.

Good luck to all of us, especially our young.

**One** · 20th November 2011 02:30 PM

Wow, 33 yrs old. That takes a special kind of strength and determination. You should be proud of him.

**Telecaster** · 20th November 2011 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Hollywood

Thirty-three years old? Isn't that awfully old to be starting a military career?
Anyway, best of luck to your son.

That I don't know. His Company actually had one guy who just got under the wire, graduating at 42 years of age! I didn't get to meet the guy, but he must have been an awesome physical specimen.

Is 33 really a hurdle? I suppose he will never be a candidate for General. But I don't see why it might prevent him from a fullfilling career. Long before he let us in on his intentions last January, I always thought of 33, generally, as the prime of a man's life, where he is still capable of physically keeping up with the younger guys, but he is armed with more wisdom. (then somewhere after that the physical-to-wisdom ratio starts leaning the wrong way)

**Telecaster** · 20th November 2011 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by One

Wow, 33 yrs old. That takes a special kind of strength and determination. You should be proud of him.

Thank you. We certainly are. And I'm really proud of his mom, too. She has had to swallow a lot of crow watching her "baby boy" go against all her early dreams held for him. But she is his biggest cheerleader, and is all in with this commitment despite the dangers and her deepest fears.

I'll tell you, I never dreamed how stressful this military parent thing could be. But from it I am learning our military is primary to what makes our nation so great. I'm looking at our veterans and their families in a whole new light now.

**One** · 20th November 2011 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Telecaster

That I don't know. His Company actually had one guy who just got under the wire, graduating at 42 years of age! I didn't get to meet the guy, but he must have been an awesome physical specimen.

Is 33 really a hurdle? I suppose he will never be a candidate for General. But I don't see why it might prevent him from a fullfilling career. Long before he let us in on his intentions last January, I always thought of 33, generally, as the prime of a man's life, where he is still capable of physically keeping up with the younger guys, but he is armed with more wisdom. (then somewhere after that the physical-to-wisdom ratio starts leaning the wrong way)

I was 17 when I went to boot camp. Pretty much every one was under 25. We had one person who was 27, and we all thought of him as the old guy.